The Rabbit Factor

Rabbit Factor #1

by Antti Tuomainen, David Hackston (Translator)

An insurance mathematician’s carefully ordered life is turned on its head when he unexpectedly loses his job and inherits an adventure park … with a whole host of problems. A quirky, tense and warmly funny thriller from award-winning Finnish author Antti Tuomainen.

What makes life perfect? Insurance mathematician Henri Koskinen knows the answer because he calculates everything down to the very last decimal.

And then, for the first time, Henri is faced with the incalculable. After suddenly losing his job, Henri inherits an adventure park from his brother – its peculiar employees and troubling financial problems included. The worst of the financial issues appear to originate from big loans taken from criminal quarters … and some dangerous men are very keen to get their money back.

But what Henri really can’t compute is love. In the adventure park, Henri crosses paths with Laura, an artist with a chequered past, and a joie de vivre and erratic lifestyle that bewilders him. As the criminals go to extreme lengths to collect their debts and as Henri's relationship with Laura deepens, he finds himself faced with situations and emotions that simply cannot be pinned down on his spreadsheets…

Warmly funny, rich with quirky characters and absurd situations, The Rabbit Factor is a triumph of a dark thriller, its tension matched only by its ability to make us rejoice in the beauty and random nature of life.

Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Crime, Thriller, Humor, Audiobook, Nordic Noir

300 pages, Hardcover

First published August 19, 2020

About the author

Antti Tuomainen (b. 1971) is one of Finland’s most acclaimed and award-winning crime fiction writers. To date, Tuomainen’s works have been translated into more than 25 languages. Crowned “The King of Helsinki Noir,” Tuomainen’s piercing and evocative style has never stopped evolving.

In The Man Who Died, Tuomainen displays a new side of his authorship and unveils his multifaceted ability in full. The novel, which combines Tuomainen’s trademark suspense with a darkly tinged humor, has won the hearts of readers and critics alike, and secured him the new title of King of Noir Comedy. The Man Who Died also became an international bestseller, shortlisting for the Petrona and Last Laugh Awards.

Palm Beach Finland was an immense success, with Marcel Berlins (The Times) calling Tuomainen 'the funniest writer in Europe'.

His latest thriller, Little Siberia, was shortlisted for the CWA International Dagger, the Amazon Publishing/Capital Crime Awards and the CrimeFest Last Laugh Award, and won the Petrona Award for Best Scandinavian Crime Novel of the Year.

Reviews

[Ilse · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maths and (dis)order

Numbers race through my mind. This is what the real, serious application of mathematics can give us. Happiness, comfort, hope. Sense and logic. And above all: solutions. Mathematics wins. Mathematics helps.

A humorous crime novel spiced up with ironic observations on love, death and risk assessment? And now for something completely different…

I don’t think I would have picked this if not for the reading club putting it on the reading list for this year. A few years ago we already read another farcical Finnish rodential novel - Arto Paasilinna's The Year of the Hare - and frankly, that sufficed for me.

Even if I enjoyed reading this absurdist financial and mafia thriller with a love and philosophical twist a tad more, I cannot say it stirred me particularly, despite the delightful and wise company of the protagonist’s cat Schopenhauer and his (the protagonist’s, not the cat’s) satiric take on nonsensical management blather (or is that a pleonasm?). Henri Koskinen’s struggle to concentrate on his calculations when the insurance company he works for moves to open space premises is pretty recognisable – just like his feeling having turned into a Dinosaur, a misfit in the modern workspace when missing the necessary mindset. I agree that open-plan offices were devised by satan in the deepest caverns of hell and that they are hell on earth for introverts.

I didn’t like them and I didn’t like our open-plan office. It was noisy, full of distractions, interruptions, banalities. But more than anything, it was full of people. I didn’t like the things that so many others seemed to like: spontaneous conversations, the continual asking for and giving of advice, the constant cheap banter.

(It is even worse with misophonia).



From an optimist perspective, as I haven’t met before a jobless actuary who sees mathematics and logic as the solution to all one’s problems and who overnight turns into an attractive, successful people manager annex hero saving the adventure park he inherited from his brother both from criminals and bankruptcy every day and the cover of this novel (I am not sure which I disliked more, the one of the Dutch or of the English translation) was so hideous the book could only be better, why would I grumble on having been gifted a couple of hours of escapist, almost childish cartoonesque technicolor fun, a mildly amusing feel good experience? This is unpretentious entertainment and a film adaptation is the making. Shouldn’t that be enough, foolish and spoilt book snob that I am?

I could reveal the connection between Tove Jansson’s art and this novel but perhaps I would prefer not to. Ditto for Georgia O’Keeffe, Lee Krasner, Dorothea Tanning, Helen Frankenthaler and Tamara De Lempicka.

(**1/2)

[Bharath · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though this book has a good amount of crime thrown in, it is actually a good light read which you can get through pretty quickly.

Henri Kosknen is an actuary. He prides himself on his mathematics skills and is also very unsociable. So much so that the insurance company he works for gives him an ultimatum – he needs to participate in team building exercises or take an isolated seat on the ground floor and work as instructed or hand in his resignation. Henri chooses to leave and is in the process of finding a new job. At this time, his brother passes away and he inherits an adventure park his brother owned and ran. As he takes over the adventure park which has seven permanent employees, he finds the financials in a total mess. Added to that, his brother had some contacts with some unsavoury characters who now issue threats to Henri. Henri finds himself drawn to Laura, who helps in managing the park and has an artistic touch. She, however, has some secrets which Henri realizes much later. Then there is Kristian who says he was promised to be elevated to the General Manager. Henri unleashes a lot of meaningless theories on him to make the point that he is not yet ready such as the below:

“Learning about self-relevance isn’t just a linear-psychological or a cumulative emotional learning curve, you know”.

As Henri does his best to get things on track, more threats and violence ensue.

As I mentioned, this is a good book to relax with. The humor is pretty good, though overdone in parts – such as during the date Henri and Laura go on. The story has quite a bit of violence, but there are no gory details in any of the episodes.

My rating: 3.75 / 5.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author and publisher for a free electronic review copy.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars rounded up.

Not my favorite of the Antii Tuomainen books that I’ve read. I am a fan of his writing, humor and original plots. For me this goes beyond a little zany and into the realm of silly. Tuomainen’s The Man Who Died and Little Siberia are full of humor but have more of a base in reality. The idea in Rabbit is promising. An insurance actuary loses his job from a reluctance to fit into a newer touchy feely type of work structure and then finds himself the owner of an adventure (not amusement, please) park upon the death of his more free wheeling brother. The very unlikely job of running YouMeFun and its odd employees is going to challenge this orderly, risk avoiding, logical man. Additionally, there are the knee-capping type gangsters he also inherits. His brother owed ruinous amounts of money.

The joke goes on too long.

[Vicki Herbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Unpredictable Rabbit...

THE RABBIT FACTOR
by Antti Tuomainen

No spoilers. 4 stars. If you are into Nordic noir stories, you really can't go wrong with one of this author's novels...

Henri Koskinen is a mathematician and actuary for an insurance company. He lives with his cat Schopenhauer...

It is a lonely but orderly life based on probability and logic until one day Henri is unexpectedly forced into resigning his job position...

But one week later...

As Henri is searching for another job as an actuary, he gets news that his brother Juhani has...

Suddenly died...

Leaving Henri to inherit his business: an adventure park called YouMeFun along with Juhani's overwhelming debts...

Juhani's dying wish was that Henri count things up and save the park...

Then go fishing...

Juhani will bring the worms (a little dark humor from beyond the grave)...

But one evening...

After the park is closed, Henri goes to the dark deserted park entrance to repair a broken ear on the large plastic rabbit that greets guests as they enter the park...

And he is almost killed by a man he doesn't know...

Henri kills the assassin with the rabbit's plastic ear to the man's heart, then, in a panic, hides the body in the bottom of the freezer at the Curly Cake Cafe...

It can be a very unpredictable rabbit...

This author, Antti Tuomainen, is one of my favorite foreign authors. I call him my IKEA author because of the Finnish names, which remind me of shopping at IKEA. You really can't go wrong choosing a book by this author if you're into Nordic noir.

If you like this story, you might also like THE MAN WHO DIED by this author. It is one of my personal favorites.

[K.J. Charles]

Absolutely baffled where the warmth or humour is supposed to be in this story. Mostly just kind of unpleasant tbh, with a quirky edge to it that works about as well for me as the word "quirky" ever does. Possibly you had to be there / have to be Finnish / whatever. Not for me, anyway. DNF at 40%.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I am an actuary. As a rule, I don’t run adventure parks, and I certainly don’t batter people to death… But as I said, my life hasn’t been following the probability calculus for some time now.”

I really had a lot of fun reading The Rabbit Factor by Antti Tuomainen! This is my first time reading from the Nordic Noir genre, and I am very happy that this was the book to introduce me to it! It’s a unique story that deftly combines suspense with dark humor. (There’s plenty of regular humor, too!)

Here are some of the things you get with this novel:
- An insurance actuary!
- A cat named Schopenhauer!
- Schopenhauer, the philosopher, who is an absolute buzzkill!
- Henchmen!
- A rabbit (duh)!
- Mathematics!
- A banana mirror!
- A passive-agressive police detective!
- Monet!
- And, of course, fresh cinnamon buns!

The story follows Henri Koskinen, a man used to a meticulously ordered life governed by mathematical principles and logic. After his brother’s death, he inherits an adventure park, YouMeFun, rife with chaos—unruly children, quirky employees, and some very unfriendly gentlemen from his brother’s past. Chaos ensues, and Henri’s attempts to impose logic on the absurd (very absurd) and odd (very odd) situations he encounters lead to many comedic moments.

The book begins with one such moment as he is running from an assailant in the adventure park. Just think of the two running through all the quirky attractions clearly meant for children half their size. Henri runs into the Caper Castle through the Secret Waterfall. He decides not to escape on one of the Turtle Trucks (which only go 10 km/hr). He gets flung around as a human pinball in the Pinball Parlour—all while a man is trying to kill him. The precariousness yet absurdity of Henri’s situation is masterfully developed. As much as this novel is lighthearted, it is also suspenseful and frightening, fear which this reader keenly felt!

Henri encounters and participates in dark and violent situations. The threats Henri faces are real, and the stakes are high. Henri must make some awful decisions and do some terrible things to save his life. In this respect, the novel stays true to noir expectations. We have a morally ambiguous protagonist with a pessimistic worldview who finds himself in ostensibly hopeless situations. Indeed, Henri finds himself contemplating Schopenhauer (the philosopher, not his cat). He thinks, “[in life] nothing ever ends differently from how it has always ended: with struggle, defeat, loneliness and eventual death.” One of the questions the novel poses is how Henri responds to and transforms, if at all, in this environment.

On a side note, I was also contemplating. I recollected this statement about noir: “If you find light and hilarity in these pages, I strongly recommend a visit to a mental health professional,” Otto Penzler [Already done, Mr. Otto. I’m deliciously medicated and laughing away]. And this statement: ”The overarching joy and lasting appeal of noir is that it makes doom fun,” James Ellroy *. Clearly, Tuomainen aligns with the latter sentiment. And I'm all for some doom fun.

Despite Henri’s predilection for fatalistic philosophy and gruesome homicide, his logical yet socially awkward personality is overall charming. He is a dynamic protagonist and narrator, and we see how he grows and changes as he learns to live in an unpredictable world. His character arc is very well-developed. There’s also a romantic subplot with Laura, one of the park’s employees, which adds depth and complexity to his journey. It’s really cool being inside Henri’s head and seeing the world as he does for the duration of the novel.

Tuomainen’s writing style is rich with imaginative descriptions and clever dialogue. I found the language used was innovative, quite original. Such as this lovely image, “From the surfaces of large leaves in shades of red and yellow hung beads of dew, the rising sun making them sparkle like feather-light mirrors.” And about the sign at the entrance of the park, YouMeFun, he says, “To my surprise, [the letters] looked almost threatening. I found myself thinking I’d need to be careful not to be struck by the sharp prongs of the Y or caught in the fluttering flag of the F.” Furthermore, there were a lot of metaphors and similes that were not like anything I’ve ever read before. Really unique thoughts and associations! I don’t know if some are phrases common in the Finnish language or if they are all the creative inventions of the author (I believe the latter). Regardless, the prose feels fresh, and it is a delight to read. Also, kudos to the translator for making the novel flourish in English.

Overall, The Rabbit Factor stands out for its ability to incorporate, but to also go beyond, the dark and gloomy atmosphere typically associated with Nordic thrillers. While I don’t know the noir genre well, I suspect this novel defies conventional boundaries. It skillfully blends elements of Nordic noir, dark comedy, and romance, offering a refreshing change from traditional crime novels. Tuomainen has also created a memorable character in Henri Koskinen and a story that is both hilarious and suspenseful. I highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone!!


4 Stars

Criteria: Four-star books are compelling and thought-provoking, featuring strong character development and plot construction. They are highly recommended and demonstrate a high level of creativity and skill. These are memorable reads that leave a positive impression. While not flawless, a 4-star book is one I would eagerly recommend and reflects a high level of enjoyment and appreciation.

* Otto Penzler and James Ellroy are both editors of The Best American Noir of the Century.

[Algernon (Darth Anyan) · Rating 4 out of 5]

[7/10]

‘I resigned because I couldn’t stand watching my workplace turn into a playground. Then I inherited one.’

An introverted middle-aged man tries to make his life run like clockwork, based on pure mathematical principles. When his company starts to implement modern ideas at the workplace [shared spaces, team-building exercises, prep talks and personal development training] Henri Koskinen hands in his resignation, not knowing that his well-planned, strictly organized life is about to go haywire: he finds out he has inherited an adventure park for children in a suburb of Helsinki, after the death of his extrovert brother.

He used to joke, saying that I would die of stiffness. I told him I was very much alive and not at all stiff, I just wanted things to occur in a good, logical order and that I based all my actions on rational thinking. For some reason, he found this amusing.

The park is named YouMeFun, and I find this eminently appropriate, according to the following mathematical formula:

You [the writer] + Me [the reader] = Fun!

We have here a debut novel that fills in an important gap in my long term engagement with Scandinavian crime fiction: the first by a Finnish author. The story has a very strong start, and kept me entertained and chuckling up to the last page. I did have some issues, some slight bothers, but I will put them down as growing pains, as I plan to continue with the setting [I believe two sequels are already written]
This is also a chance for me to borrow a template from one of my Goodreads friends in order to try to pin down what worked well and what didn’t with the story:

Enjoyment – 9
Plot – 9
Characters – 9
Romance – 8
Humour – 10
Setting / Atmosphere – 10
Writing / Research – 9
Police work – 4
Logic / Suspension of Disbelief – 4
Bad Guys – 4

>>><<<>>><<<

Things I learned from Antti Tuomainen:

- what’s the difference between an amusement park and an adventure park?

... an amusement park has rollercoasters and carousels, machines that you sit in and let them toss you around. An adventure park, on the other hand, is a place where people have to move themselves. They climb and run, jump and slide. They are climbing walls, ropes, slides, labyrinths, that kind of thing.

- mathematics should govern our lives:

My steps are quick, it feels as though my feet barely touch the ground. Numbers race through my mind. This is what the real, serious application of mathematics can give us. Happiness, comfort, hope. Sense and logic. And above all: solutions.

- falling in love makes you forget about mathematics

- no matter how silly it is, corporate lingo may come in useful one day:

Nowadays leaders need a whole range of different qualities: not just a results-oriented understanding of the internal emotional dynamics of the workforce but also a holistic awareness of our interactive, socio-experiential economy and an appreciation of its primary importance at all levels of an empathy-driven, interpersonal leadership philosophy.

>>><<<>>><<<

A fun, well written crime story with engaging characters and wild adventures.
Recommended!

[3 no 7 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unquestionably hilarious and at the same time absolutely bizarre

“The Rabbit Factor” is Henri Koskinen’s story. He is an actuary; fair and nice and reliable. His life is matter-of-fact, a bit edgy, but strictly businesslike, at least thus far. And at the age of forty-two, he just wants everything to be sensible. Then, the man and a giant rabbit made of metal and plastic collide at great speed. Now, mister “Mathematics is incorruptible,” mister “probability calculus,” mister “always tells the truth” has been fooled. He treads on the edge between absurdity and trauma. He has inherited an adventure park, (not an AMUSEMENT park) YouMeFun, and its entire staff.
The drama and trauma unfolds in Henri’s first person factual narrative. He describes events in great detail, not a fact left out, as if he is relating experiences to an official or biographer or reporter rather than to a friend, but then he is a person who only relates to facts and does not interact much with people. The adventure park smells of children’s horseplay and fast food. It has a dead man in the freezer, and is losing money. Now money Henri understands. He is a money man; mathematics is the key. People might betray him, but numbers do not. In the midst of the chaos of the Pinball Parlour, Trombone Cannons, the Komodo Locomotive, and the Curly Cake Café, numbers represent order.

The narrative is filled with figurative language and imaginative descriptions. The silence is like water in a glass, transparent but still concrete, tangible. The moon looks like creamy Finnish cheese, yellow and hanging heavily in the sky, almost within reach. The story progresses at an even pace but increases in intensity and incongruity. The truth has sharp, cold, deeply personal nails ready to scratch and tear Henri to pieces.

“The Rabbit Factor” is unquestionably hilarious and at the same time absolutely bizarre. I must look for Cinnamon Gigglebuns. I received a review copy of “The Rabbit Factor” from author Antti Tuomainen, translator David Hackston, Orenda Books and Independent Publishers Group “The Rabbit Factor” is now available in print, as an e-book, and on audio from independent bookstores, online booksellers, retail stores, public libraries and anywhere you get your books.

[Tracy P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just what the doctor ordered. From beginning to end, Tuomaninen's The Rabbit Factor is filled with dynamic characters and an incredible storyline overflowing with genius satire. Reading this felt like a breath of fresh air.

Thank you to my fellow GR friend, Vicki for highly recommending. It was just the incentive I needed, and now cannot wait to watch the movie starring Steve Carell.

Looking forward to starting (book two) The Moose Paradox soon.

[Leo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't have the best success rate when it comes to Scandinavian thriller/crime novels but this one I end up really enjoying. Sad though that there is no book two available yet, at least not in swedish. Intriguing plot and never a dull moment. I enjoyed Antti Tuomainen writing style and was very intrigued to read more by him(or her, not sure) but sadly no more books for me to binge.

[Sofia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this and am already feeling the blues now that I finished.

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Rabbit Factor is the first novel in the Rabbit Factor series by award-winning Finnish author, Antti Tuomainen. It is translated from Finnish by David Hackston. Within a few days in late September 2020, Henri Koskinen has lost his actuarial job, his brother, Juhani, and inherited an Adventure Park on the outskirts of Helsinki. Worse still, when he takes a quick look, he discovers that YouMeFun, despite being a relatively successful business, has a mountain of unpaid bills and a massive loan to repay.

Henri was never really close to Juhani, who had more in common with their chaotic parents. “Juhani was fun and flexible. Humorous and quick-witted. Spontaneous and amiable” while Henri “had only one deep-held wish. I wanted everything to be sensible”

“He used to joke, saying I would die of stiffness. I told him I was very much alive and not at all stiff, I just wanted things to occur in a good, logical order and that I based all my actions on rational thinking” but now Henri wishes he knew more about his brother, and what Juhani could possibly have done with so much money.

Even before he has met all the staff and had a decent look at the books, a reptilian organised-crime type and his heavy turn up to demand payment of his brother’s two-hundred-thousand-euro debt, with interest. Not that Henri has the money to pay but, as an actuary, what he really objects to the exorbitant interest rate: ten per cent over just two and a half weeks? Henri narrowly escapes losing a finger, but he knows that won’t be their last visit.

Sure enough, a few days later, as he’s trying, after hours, to repair the broken ear on a giant rabbit statue, a nasty fellow with a knife (or two) turns up to deliver him an unambiguous message. Another narrow escape that sees Henri taking action he could never have envisaged when he was working for the insurance company, and he really has to figure out something to get them off his back.

What is really puzzling is how Knife Man knew Henri was there alone, and how he got into the park. Juhani gave the staff free rein with running the place: could one of them be in cahoots with the crooks? They are an unusual bunch, and Henri knows his directness can be off-putting:
“‘I can be frank with you, yes?’
‘I believe it’s for the best,’ I say. ‘Some people say it can be rude, but I think the benefits far outweigh the possible drawbacks. I’m not sure of the exact ratio, but in my experience I can say that the probability of causing offence can’t be higher than ten percent. That gives being frank around a ninety-percent chance of success. Those are exceptionally good odds.’”

Needing to pay the loan, the bills and trying to keep the adventure park running, Henri comes up with a bold plan and presents his criminal creditors with an audacious proposal, the sort only an actuary could convince the big man will be viable. His radical idea includes starting a bank and offering park patrons pay-day loans, but can it really work?

As if he doesn’t have enough on his plate, the reptilian guy tries to blackmail him, someone might be sabotaging park structures, and he finds himself falling for the park’s manager. Laura Helanto is an artist whose murals are transforming the park and have Henri inexplicably fascinated. The mathematician in him tries to analyse why, without success. Oh, and a Helsinki Police DI is looking for Knife Man…

As well as the artist, his team consists of Kristian (a maintenance man who was promised the position of General Manager), Minttu K (an alcoholic marketing and sales manager), Esa (a head of security who wants to be a US marine), Samppa (an earringed, tattooed children’s entertainer), Johanna (a fitness-freak café manager) and Venla (a ticket-seller who has yet to turn up for work).

There’s plenty of humour in this novel, some of it quite black, and a delicious irony when Henri uses the exact same touchy-feely language that drove him from his last job to handle Kristian’s promotion demands. Henri will remind some readers of Don Tillman: with his reliance on maths and logic, his imaginative problem solving and good intentions. More of this protagonist, in The Moose Paradox, will be most welcome. Recommended!
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Orenda Books

[☆LaurA☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ho imparato una parolina nuova

ATTUARIO: colui che si occupa di determinare l'andamento futuro di variabili demografiche ed economico-finanziarie, disegnando quale sarà la realtà nel breve, medio e lungo periodo......utile eh, ma 'na palla...
Sarà che io e la matematica ed i numeri in generale non andiamo molto d'accordo.

Non sono riuscita a non pensare a Sheldon Cooper mentre leggevo, quindi come non amarlo?

Alle prese con situazioni alquanto bizzarre.
Gettato dal sicuro e ordinato mondo della matematica a quello assurdo e caotico del parco divertimento.....oh no no no scusa scusa parco AVVENTURA, c'è una differenza sostanziale tra le due cose e non vorrei finire come uno dei criminali che si mette contro Henric.

Costretto ad abbandonare il lavoro perché non in grado di lavorare in squadra, si trova a dirigere il parco AVVENTURA (visto che brava? L'ho detto giusto questa volta) lasciatogli in eredità dal fratello. Si troverà ad affrontare situazioni assurde con l'aplomb che lo contraddistingue.
Siparietti tragicomici ti faranno leggere tutto d'un fiato questo romanzo che, scopro solo ora far parte di una trilogia...non ancora tradotti in italiano sono poi "Il paradosso dell'Alce" e "la teoria del Castoro"

Una lettura leggera e piacevole, che mi ha accompagnata nei giorni di preparazione di rientro al lavoro. Sarà un trauma svegliarsi domattina alle 4.30 e andare a lavorare in un semplice panificio e non in un "Bakery Adventure" dove trovare che so, il castello impanato, la michettavolante, il percorso dei bocconcini, il lancio della pagnotta......meglio che mi fermi sto cominciando a delirare 😅

[Alexander Theofanidis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ένας αναλογιστής (don't ask) προφανώς στα όρια του "φάσματος" (ένα είναι το "φάσμα") παραιτείται από τη δουλειά του και αναλαμβάνει το πάρκο περιπέτειας για παιδιά του αδελφού του (που μόλις έχει αποβιώσει). Μαζί, κληρονομεί και το μπλέξιμο του αδελφού του με το οργανωμένο έγκλημα και τους υπαλλήλους του πάρκου.

Μέσα σε λίγες μέρες καταφέρνει να σκοτώσει τρεις σκληρούς κακοποιούς -τον έναν με ένα αυτί λαγού (ΟΚ, ο λαγός είναι larger than life), τον δεύτερο με πνιγμό μέσα σε αυτοκίνητο και τον τρίτο με ασφυξία σε πορτμπαγκάζ ενισχυμένη από κακότεχνο δέσιμο- ενώ επι��υγχάνει να παγιδέυσει και έναν νονό του εγκλήματος με ανώνυμο mail. Ενδιάμεσα προλαβαίνει να ερωτευτεί και να απογοητευτεί. Τώρα δε χρειάζεται να σπαταλήσετε 2-3 ώρες για να διαβάσετε αυτό το αφελές, φλύαρο και με κακή αίσθηση του χιούμορ πόνημα του Tuomainen.

Πάμε στα επιμέρους.

Ο κεντρικός χαρακτήρας έχει ένα ενδιαφέρον στην αρχή, χάρη στις παραξενιές του, αλλά μέχρι εκεί. Οι υπόλοιποι είναι καρικατούρες, άχρωμες, άοσμες, αδιάφορες. Ακόμα και οι κακοί. Ακόμα και ο κακός που λέγεται "άνθρωπος σαύρα".

Το Φινλανδικό μπλακ χιούμορ έχει έντονη έλλειψη βιταμίνης D. Αυτοί οι άνθρωποι μάλλον βλέπουν σπάνια ήλιο. Μου στάθηκε αδύνατο να γελάσω με ένα φουκαρά που τον ΑΠΑΓΧΟΝΙΖΟΥΝ εγκληματίες ενώ είναι δεμένος σε μια γουρούνα. Πείτε με αχιούμορο, δε με πειράζει. Άλλο τόσο δύσκολο ήταν να γελάσω με το ταλαίπωρο θύμα του "αρχικακού" που ήταν δεμένο στον "στύφτη".

Η ιστορία ρέει -ας το παραδεχτούμε αυτό- απρόσκοπτα, αλλά σχετικά αδιάφορα, σαν ένα ακόμα ρυάκι σε ένα σκοτεινό δάσος που δε σας κάνει μεγάλη αίσθηση να εξερευνήσετε. Δε θα σας κουράσει πουθενά, αλλά στο τέλος, η αίσθηση είναι "ΘΑ ΜΠΟΡΟΥΣΑ ΚΑΙ ΝΑ ΜΗΝ ΤΟ ΕΙΧΑ ΔΙΑΒΑΣΕΙ ΑΥΤΟ". Και αναφέρομαι στο βιβλίο στο σύνολό του.

Ο γάτος του πρωταγωνιστή που λέγεται Σοπενχάουερ είναι στο ίδιο επίπεδο cringe με τη σκύλα του Παπακαλιάτη που λεγόταν Μοναξιά, δηλαδή πιο cringe κι από τοποθέτηση του Στέφανου Χίου για τα δικαιώματα μεταναστών και ΛΟΑΤΚΙ+.

Ο συγραφέας αναφέρεται ως ο πιο αστείος της Ευρώπης, οπότε ή τα σύνορα έχουν αλλάξει δραματικά από την τελευταία φορά που κοίταξα χάρτη, ή είναι το χειρότερο overselling στην ιστορία του overselling. Είναι τόσο αστείος, όσο να χάνεις το τελευταίο πλοίο, να μένεις από βενζίνη ενώ μεταφέρεις όργανα από δωρεά που θα σώσουν την ζωή κάποιου που είναι σε χειρουργείο, να είσαι έγκλειστος στο Άουσβιτς το 1942, ή η Τέρι Σκιάβο. Θέλω να πω, όλο και κάποιος θα βρει αστείες τις περιπτώσεις που ανέφερα, απλώς θα προτιμούσα να βρίσκεται σε απόσταση ασφαλείας (2 ηπείρων) από εμένα.

Κενό, ρηχό, με κακό χιούμορ και αδιάφορη πλοκή, μπαίνει στο ράφι για μην ξαναμνημονευτεί ποτέ (ίσως... αποτρεπτικά ως προς την ανάγνωσή του, σε τρίτους). Παίρνει με το ζόρι το δεύτερο αστεράκι χάρη στο... εξώφυλλο και την αρχική αίσθηση του πρωταγωνιστή. Τα υπόλοιπα σε ΧΥΤΑ, καύση, κλίβανο.

Συμπέρασμα: Μην την πατήσετε επειδή έχει χαριτωμένο εξώφυλλο. Είναι, επίπεδο, αδιάφορο, μη αστείο και λίγο "κακό στην ψυχή του".

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I’d had any concerns that a book about an adventure park starring a giant plastic rabbit would not be my thing, then these were rapidly dispelled as Antti Tuomainen’s quirky protagonist and black humour soon drew me into the story and kept me enthralled. THE RABBIT FACTOR reads like a mix between Nordic noir and dark comedy, and I really enjoyed the unusual blend of genres.
Mathematician Henri Koskinen seems like an unlikely character to inherit an adventure park, but this is by far not the most absurd situation he is about to encounter, nor the last. Despite his best intentions and careful planning, he soon finds himself on the wrong side of a group of criminals who intend on collecting a debt and will stop at nothing to get what is owed to them. With an atmospheric setting in a Finnish adventure park, there is nothing ordinary or predictable about this novel, and it was like a breath of fresh air in the sea of same-old murder mysteries that are flooding the market.

Tuomainen has mastered the art of transcending the dark and gloomy atmosphere Nordic thrillers are renowned for, whilst keeping up an air of intrigue and suspense. It even got my heart rate up a few times as Henri stumbled headlong into disaster! Supported by a rich cast of characters as unusual and quirky as Henri himself, THE RABBIT FACTOR both surprised and delighted me with its originality. I loved the way Henri tried to apply logic to even the most absurd situations, which made for some interesting encounters.

All in all ,THE RABBIT FACTOR was a delightful mix of nordic noir and dark comedy which will appeal to readers who are looking for mysteries that stand out from the rest. Quirky and original, it is difficult to pigeonhole it in any particular genre, though the mystery element definitely lies at its core. For those readers who like a bit of action or a hint of romance, it caters for all of you as well. I am surprised that I haven't read any other novels by this author before, but will certainly look up all his backlist now.

Thank you to Orenda Books for the free electronic copy of this novel and for giving me the opportunity to provide an honest review.

*blog* *facebook* *instagram*

[Ajeje Brazov · Rating 3 out of 5]

Conigli più matematica, non potevo che tuffarmici a pesce. Alla fine si è rivelato qualcosa di diverso da ciò che mi sarei aspettato o semplicemente ha preso direzioni differenti.
La prima parte mi ha coinvolto molto, il mistero si intreccia con situazioni quotidiane di satira sul lavoro impiegatizio, poi l'evento scatenante il racconto prende piede e così il nostro protagonista ci racconta tutto quello accadrà da qui alla fine.
Henric, il nostro protagonista, viene a conoscenza della morte prematura del fratello, che non vede da tempo e con questo eredita il parco avventura del fratello. Da questo incipit partiranno una serie di situazioni al limite dell'onirico, con intrecci narrativi di discreto livello. Purtroppo pecca nella parte centrale, almeno per quanto riguarda il mio personale giudizio, dove si perde in pagine e pagine noiose e dove succede poco o nulla e dove la suspense viene, letteralmente, disintegrata. Per fortuna si riprende discretamente in un finale, non da applausi, ma degno di nota.
Discreto!

[Effie Saxioni · Rating 2 out of 5]

Αντί άποψης, μία ερώτηση -ή και δυο: Σοβαρά τώρα; Ήταν αυτό το βιβλίο έξυπνο, διασκεδαστικό και θα μεταφερθεί στον κινηματογράφο;
Ήταν αυτό ένα παράδοξο θρίλερ που θα μας έκανε να γελάσουμε;Τι στην ευχή γίνεται με τα ναρκωτικά εκεί έξω;
2/5 με μεγάλη επιείκεια. Και αυτό,αποκλειστικά για κάτι αποσπάσματα που δεν ήταν καν του συγγραφέα - και για το εξώφυλλο. Τζάμπα το ξενύχτι...

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Rabbit Factor stands as a testament to those who no longer believe in the immutable laws that make all Scandanavian crime fiction dark and gloomy and depressing. Set in modern-day Helsinki, the Rabbit Factor features the quirkiest heron ever to grace the pages of modern fiction, Henri Koskinen is an insurance acturial who lives and breathes mathematical equations. Everything in life for him is reduced to probabilities from which subway car to get in to what restaurant to go to on a date. He is frustrated by the firm he works for as it has become swallowed up in a crushing wave of touchy-feely empathy workshops and all good ole Henri wants is to get back to his mathematical probabilities. Being no fun in the office, he naturally gets eliminated.

But, sometimes karma is fickle enough to work and, upon losing a job, Henri inherits an amusement park from his estranged brother. It’s actually an adventure park as Henri so often explains in the story rather than an amusement park because the kids there get to climb and run and often create their own adventures. It has seven quirky employees, none of whom could function for even a day in the real world- whatever and wherever that is. Of course, to make things interesting, the park is up to its veritable eyeballs in debt and a bunch of nasty hoodlums are demanding interest payments.

The quirky dark comedy of the The Rabbit Factor is how the innocent odd fellow named Henri deals with the hoodlums, proving once and for all that acturials are greatly underestimated. Henri also has a torrid romance with one of his employees who finds his odd disconnected ways honest and endearing. As the corpses pile up, hidden in nearly plain sight, and the the police inspector is hot on his heels, Henri must come up with a way to save the park from the brink of bankruptcy and save his own butt while he is at it.

Translated for the first time in English from its original Finnish, the Rabbit Factor is, like Henri, unique, odd, and different. The writing style serves it well and makes it a suprisingly charming read.

[Ewa Cat Mędrzecka · Rating 2 out of 5]

2⭐ to już hojność.

[Iophil · Rating 3 out of 5]

Il libro si apre molto bene, con un’idea interessante e un inizio brillante, che invogliano alla lettura. Lo stile è apprezzabile, allo stesso tempo sornione, un po’ compassato e dalla sottile ironia. Mi ha ricordato molto quello di un altro autore finlandese di cui ho letto diversi libri, Arto Paasilinna.
Come per Paasilinna, però, nonostante un’innegabile simpatia e una piacevole leggerezza nella narrazione, personalmente non sono riuscito ad arrivare a un completo apprezzamento di questo libro.
La causa è principalmente questa: il ritmo e la storia restano monocordi per tutto il libro, quindi dopo una prima parte convincente e appassionante, alla lunga la narrazione risulta un monotona e ripetitiva e il coinvolgimento diminuisce.
È una problematica che ho riscontrato anche con diversi altri autori nordici, quindi forse è proprio il loro stile che non va sempre d’accordo con i miei gusti, purtroppo.
In questo caso specifico, non si è trattato di un problema troppo grave: nonostante il mio interesse sia calato, non mi sono mai ritrovato a perderlo completamente e sono comunque arrivato a fine libro tutto sommato soddisfatto. L’unico dispiacere è stato il riscontrare che tutto il mio entusiasmo iniziale era venuto via via a mancare.
Sulla qualità letteraria nulla da dire: è un libro abbastanza originale e ben scritto, con protagonista e diversi personaggi caratterizzati a dovere. Un lieve black humor aiuta inoltre ad alleggerire la narrazione in maniera intelligente.

In definitiva, quindi, una lettura indubbiamente positiva, con uno stile piacevole, che ho trovato poco congeniale più per un gusto personale che per un’oggettiva manchevolezza.
Se vi piace quella narrazione sempre misurata tipica della letteratura nordica, questo libro è pane per i vostri denti. Altrimenti resta comunque un libro con una sua personalità, che potete provare anche solo per affrontare un autore di una nazionalità con cui abitualmente qui in Italia abbiamo meno a che fare!

Nota positiva per amanti dei gatti: il protagonista ha un micio che si chiama Schopenhauer! *-*

[Em__Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE RABBIT FACTOR by Antti Tuomainen is a darkly comedic book that is also charming, absurb and heartwarming. This was such a pleasure to read. Who knew an actuary turned reluctant adventure park owner could become both hero and anti-hero? Henri Koskinen himself didn’t, until circumstances challenge him to think and act outside his orderly, mathematics oriented life.

Not only does Henri inherit a financially crippled adventure park and its motley crew of employees, there’s also the local loan sharks who insist he repay his brother’s significant debts . . . or else.

I thoroughly enjoyed Henri’s journey as he applies his ever-present pragmatism and logic to the challenges he faces. Not only do his methods meet with some success, but Henri finds himself growing and changing in ways he never imagined or calculated as being of value.

I was not surprised to read that this book is being turned into a movie. I hope the production company does it justice.

We can’t have books without authors, and we certainly can’t have translated-to-English novels without a talented translator, so thank you, David Hackston.

A highly recommended read.

4.5 stars

Review copy courtesy of THE Book Club Reviewer Group (Facebook) and Orenda Books

[Raven · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must confess that my heart does skip a little beat and dances around in my chest every time I settle down to read and review a book by the always excellent Antti Tuomainen. With every book we enter a world where the small, some would say humdrum existence of ordinary people, is suddenly enveloped in drama and absurdity, that shifts their world view, and thanks to the compassion of Tuomainen’s writing, ours too…

Henri Koskinen is one such individual, whose positively benign existence is shaken to its core following his being fired as an actuary, having had particular problems with the open office culture, moronic ‘inspirational’ business speak and having to interact with people- a skill that charmingly eludes Henri,

” I don’t need to know how other people are doing, I don’t want to know what they’re thinking, what they’ve done or how they experience things. I don’t what to know what they are planning, their hopes and their aspirations. So I don’t ask.”

Thrust into the strange world of running an adventure park- not an amusement park- an adventure park, with the sudden death of his brother, the previous owner, Henri’s life spirals into a confusing one, finding himself responsible for a whole team of idiosyncratic workers, and avoiding losing vital body parts as his brother’s criminal debtors start to encircle him like sharks. What Tuomainen achieves so brilliantly, not only in this book but throughout his writing, is the empowerment of the underdog, who we see grow in stature and ingenuity as circumstances rail against them and take on a darker edge. Such is the progression of Henri’s character, starting out as a man who defines every action according to the laws of mathematics and probability, but who gradually begins to appreciate other aspects of life outside of his cerebral world view through his interaction with others, and his desire to thwart the bad guys and make a modicum of success out of his new, admittedly unwanted, business path.

It would be impossible to contemplate a review of this book, without mentioning the sheer joy of the humour that Tuomainen has made a mainstay of his books to date, and with David Hackston’s assured transcription absolutely nothing is lost in translation. There is a precise control to how Tuomainen combines humour in the narrative, with the balance between the dark, the absurd and the slightly slapstick, sitting perfectly within the framework of the plot, and causing unexpected moments of sheer hilarious delight. Not for nothing does this book feature a giant rabbit on the cover, that proves instrumental in Henri’s growing stature as the adventure park avenger. This beautifully wrought use of humour extends to the characterisation too with the employees of the adventure park all displaying quirky, darn strange or conversely frighteningly ordinary character traits. I particularly loved one depiction of Henri’s character, tentatively navigating his growing attraction to the artistic Laura, an employee at the adventure park, despite being like a deer caught in headlights at the very notion of love and relationships despite bravely asking Laura out,

“without carrying out a single calculation or the most rudimentary probability assessment in advance”

– that’s romance right there Henri-style. However, ruled as he usually is by the laws and capabilities of mathematics, and having to plan a first date at a restaurant his penchant for probability assessments kicks in again,

“Given the average rating review, the distance from our respective bus stops, the prevailing weather, the day of the week, the time of year, your predilection for spicy food, and the fact that the point of a date is to try and make an impression on the other person, this seemed like the optimal choice.”

It’s this framing of Henri’s character throughout the book that so adds to the enjoyment, and as his day to day life becomes increasingly more embroiled with a bunch of criminals who begin to threaten life and limb this book really starts to accentuate the theme of the little ordinary guy taking on the world and redefining his previous limitations. It has a warm, life affirming feel to it but wonderfully fractured in places with moments of extreme peril and physical danger along the way. The Rabbit Factor is a delight from start to finish, and will entertain and delight you all too I’m sure.

[Vivian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was delightful wry and charmingly sweet.

’So, either I conduct meaningless calculations or I take part in amateurish therapy sessions that jeopardise our attention to serious mathematical thinking of the highest order? The former is pointless, the latter leads only to disorganisation, chaos and perdition.’

Set in Helsinki, an actuarial inherits an adventure park—not an amusement park. Henri is extremely logical and makes decisions in his life based on probabilities. Let’s just say that this adventure park is not what he would have chosen. Alas, you have to play it as it lays.

What follows is a rather funny, slightly dark suspense as Henri attempts to sort out the numerous variables making YouMeFun problematic and financially unstable.

It turns out customer service is very difficult. And it’s because of the customers.

Henri is the awkward, yet competent hero of the story. He is adorkable and the experience of YouMeFun leads to a transformation.

Entertaining and fast read.

[Dianne · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you like Finish humor or just plain odd humor, then this book will be a gem for you

Apparently, I just don't get Finish humor. I don't know if it is too dry for me to understand, too subtle or what is wrong with me. This book has gotten tons of lovely reviews, and I just can't seem to make it beyond the 33% mark in this book.

I'm not finding mathematics and Actuarial Science all that knee-slapping funny. I haven't even gotten a modest giggle from this book so far.

The thought of this guy, an insurance actuary, inheriting an adventure park should be a hoot, and to see that he has Mafia-like men after him for his brothers' debt...well, Carl Haaison probably could pull this off. But not even the idea of loans for the entrance fees made me chortle.

Maybe I'm just having a bad day???

[Ray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book. An actuary's actuary stumbles into kiddies play park management by accident. Worlds collide as autistic (surely!) money man takes on the creative anarchy that is the play park.

Sprinkle in gangsters, mysterious missing money, oddball employees and an opposites attract love interest and you have a far fetched but enjoyable tale. Exceptionally dry humour - not sure if this is standard Finnish fare or just Tuomainen.

Enjoyable but not a stand out read.

[Leonie · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a few weeks I'm off for a trip to Finland. I think I'll skip adventure parks. 

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

What do you get when you cross a mathematician (an actuary as a matter of fact), an adventure park (as opposed to an amusement park), a smattering of Helsinki’s criminal underworld, a budding love story and a developing sense of self?? Why, the answer would be Antti Toumainen’s novel ‘The Rabbit Factor’!!

The Rabbit Factor is a unique and quirky little story told by the inimitable Finnish author who introduces us to the eccentric and kinda easy to like, Henri Koskinen, no-nonsense actuary who inherits his brother’s adventure park. In true Tuomainen style, there is a mix of humour, wit and deeply profound little sentences, like when Henri is dealing with the death of his brother, Juhani... “Death wasn’t abstract, empty and silent; it was a thousand and one objects of different shapes and sizes, each of which took up a space and made a noise when it was thrown in the bin o placed in apparently temporary storage boxes”.

We meet Henri initially as he is grappling with his firm’s new team oriented, feelings driven way of working which ultimately sees him out of a job and before he knows it he is plummeted headlong into adventure park chief executive, complete with giant rabbit with one fairly unstable ear. Henri soon learns that inheriting his brother’s adventure park means inheriting a whole lot of other interesting scenarios and that is where the actuary metamorphosis actually begins... propelled into chaos by the rabbit factor.

While this is a really warm story that is easy to read, I must admit it’s not my favourite of Antti Toumainen’s books. I actually prefer his darker stories. The Rabbit Factor is the lightest shade of noir possible really and I had difficulty working out exactly what type of story it is. It’s part crime thriller, part love story, part finance mystery, part personal narrative all told with an edge of quirky humour and dry witticism. Very enjoyable but probs 3.5 stars rounded to 4.

[Maćkowy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Henri ma 40 lat, jest aktuariuszem, lubi porządek, w życiu kieruje się logiką i rachunkiem prawdopodobeństwa. Henri zaodowo oblicza prawdopodobieństwo zdarzeń, w wyniku których ubezpieczyciel będzie musiał wypłacić odszkodowanie i ustalić taką wysokość składki, żeby zoptymalizować ewentualne koszty, czyli zawodowo zajmuje się ludzkimi dramatami zredukowanymi do rzędów cyferek i liczb wyświetlanych na monitorze komputera. Wszystko jednak zmienia się, gdy nasz ułożony i do bólu nudny bohater traci pracę i dziedziczy po niedawno zmarłym bracie Park przygody (nie mylić z parkiem rozrywki!) z całym dobrodziejstwem inwentarza.

Jak na Anttiego Tuomainena to była bardzo pogodna i optymistyczna książka. Fakt, trup ściele się tu gęsto, a życie ludzkie zasadniczo nie ma sensu i jest pasmem bólu i prób zaspokojenia potrzeb nie do zaspokojenia (nie na darmo kot Henriego nosi imię Schopenchauer), ale jest nadzieja, że tuż za rogiem czeka nas coś co ten parszywy los odmieni - nie koniecznie na lepsze - ale na pewno na ciekawsze. Takim czymś w przypadku matematyka, może być na przykład miłość i zachwyt nad czymś równie niepoliczalnym, jak sztuka i Antti nam obie te rzeczy pięknie w swojej nowej książce opisał. Oczywiście nadal jest to czarna, absurdalna komedia, ale jakoś tak cieplej zrobiło mi się na sercu, gdy skończyłem czytać, bo bardzo polubiłem bandę oryginałów z tuomainenowego parku przygody.

[Nana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anfangs war ich sehr skeptisch, da man nicht so richtig ein Gefühl dafür bekam, worum es eigentlich geht bzw was man noch erwarten kann. Aber mit der Zeit hat sich die Geschichte wirklich gut entwickelt, mit viel Humor, etwas Spannung und einer angenehmen Atmosphäre und Charakteren.

[Paula · Rating 2 out of 5]

Silly,flat.