Selling his boat in 1975 provided the necessary funding for Arto Paasilinna to write The Year of the Hare, a novel that served as a catalyst for his transition from a journalist to a prolific full-time writer. This departure from his editorial career marked the beginning of a prolific trajectory that spanned over three decades.
Journalistic Background
Born in 1942 in Kittilä, Paasilinna initially established himself in the Finnish media landscape. His career path included positions at publications such as Nuori Voima and various newspapers. Between 1968 and 1970, he served as an editor for the weekly magazine Apu, eventually returning as a columnist from 1975 to 1988. By the mid-1970s, he perceived his journalistic duties as increasingly superficial, prompting a decisive shift toward creative fiction.
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Paasilinna published roughly 35 novels and 12 non-fiction books throughout his career, often releasing one novel annually. His works frequently centered on middle-aged male protagonists navigating rural Finland, characterized by satirical perspectives on modern consumer culture. The Year of the Hare remains his most widely recognized output, having been translated into 18 languages and adapted into film versions in 1977 and 2006. His bibliography further includes titles like The Best Village in the World and A Charming Mass Suicide.
International Recognition
His reach extended significantly beyond Finland, with his books translated into at least 27 languages and total sales exceeding seven million copies worldwide. This widespread readership helped bolster global interest in Finnish literature. His contributions were recognized through the Pro Finlandia Medal of the Order of the Lion of Finland in 1993 and the Giuseppe Acerbi literary prize in 1994. Additionally, his work in film earned him a Jussi Award for Best Script in 1978.
Fast facts
- Born: 20 April 1942, Kittilä
- Died: 15 October 2018, Espoo
- Nationality: Finnish
- Primary occupations: Novelist, journalist, screenwriter
- Notable work: The Year of the Hare (1975)
- Award: Jussi Award for Best Script (1978)
- Award: Pro Finlandia Medal (1993)
- Award: Giuseppe Acerbi literary prize (1994)
Questions readers ask
How many books did Arto Paasilinna publish?
He published approximately 35 novels and 12 non-fiction books during his career.
Which of his books were adapted into films?
The Year of the Hare is his most prominent work adapted for the screen, with films produced in 1977 and 2006.
