Loukko by 
Internationally acclaimed author Johanna Sinisalo is again drawing critical attention with the recent German release of her latest novel, The Core of the Sun (Auringon ydin, Teos 2013) by Klett-Cotta and the fall 2014 World English publication of The Blood of Angels (Enkelten verta, Teos 2011) by Peter Owen.
This summer The Blood of Angels, set in a not-too-distant future in which bees begin disappearing en masse, was selected on Publishers Weekly‘s list of Top 10 Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror titles for fall 2014, and most recently both Kirkus Reviews and Publishers Weekly gave the book glowing reviews:
“A new novel by Finnish author Sinisalo uses harrowing ecological collapse and an idyllic parallel world to examine both the possibility of global disaster and one man’s surreal, life-altering experience of grief…Sinisalo’s novel engages in a fierce discussion of ecological choices while also imagining an unusually picturesque, Orpheus-tinged search for love beyond death.”
– Kirkus Reviews
“As [main character] Orvo’s life story emerges – particularly his complex relationships with his son, father, and grandfather – the reader will be moved to contemplate the unforeseen ways that each generation influences the next….a dour but impressive novel by renowned Finnish fantasist Sinisalo.”
– Publishers Weekly
The Core of the Sun, meanwhile, a story set in a society in which pleasure is forbidden and sex commoditized, has received a warm response from German critics and readers:
“It is a very exciting read; because of its references to current social problems and hot topics The Core of the Sun presents the opportunity to draw parallels to some developments in Germany and other countries.”
– Deutsch-Finnischen Rundschau
”What a book! Surreal events that lie beyond any imagination.”
– Amazon.com reader review by Felix-ine (five stars)
“Sinisalo creates a world so close, and yet so far, with small, often subtle twists…[The Core of the Sun] is a fun, feminist, political novel – as tasty as a strawberry habanero chilli sauce.”
–Deutschlandradio Kultur.
News from Frankfurt:
Johanna Sinisalo recently met with international publishers and readers at the Frankfurt Book Fair. See here for a post on Peter Owen’s blog about Sinisalo’s meeting with editor Antonia Owen, and here for a brand-new Publishers Weekly interview with literary agent Elina Ahlback.
We would also like to remind publishers that FILI’s fall 2014 application period for translation grants ends on November 1st! More information is available on FILI’s web site.
RIGHTS SOLD: The Core of the Sun
Original publisher: FINLAND, Teos
CZECH REPUBLIC, Euromedia
FRANCE, Actes Sud
GERMANY, Klett-Cotta
WORLD ENGLISH, Grove Atlantic
Reading materials: The Core of the Sun
German edition
English sample
Finnish edition
RIGHTS SOLD: The Blood of Angels
Original publisher: FINLAND, Teos
WORLD ENGLISH, Peter Owen
FRANCE, Actes Sud
POLAND, Foksal
Reading materials: The Blood of Angels
English edition
French edition
Finnish edition
PRIZES
Finlandia Prize 2000 (Not Before Sundown/Troll – A Love Story)
James Tiptree, Jr. Award 2004 (Not Before Sundown/Troll – A Love Story)
Nominated for the Nebula Awards 2008 (Baby Doll)
P. E. Svinhufvud Award 2011 (The Blood of Angels)
The Young Aleksis Kivi Prize 2009, 2012 (Birdbrain, The Blood of Angels)
Nominated for the Prix Escapades 2012 (Birdbrain)
Nominated for the Tähtivaeltaja (“Star Traveller”) award 2014
Contact: info@ahlbackagency.com
