Hungarian rights sold for RASPBERRY BOAT REFUGEE by Miika Nousiainen!

We are also glad to report that the Hungarian rights to RASPBERRY BOAT REFUGEE, the debut novel by Miika Nousiainen, have been acquired by Polar! The deal was closed by Sten-Erik Tammemäe.

Originally published in 2007, Nousiainen’s humorous description of one Finn’s yearning to become a Swede at any cost has become one of the classics of Finnish humor novels. A film based on the novel and co-produced by Finnish and Swedish companies was released in 2014.

After RASPBERRY BOAT REFUGEE, Nousiainen has published five more novels and become a popular panellist in Finnish comedy panel shows. His latest novel PUSH, PACE, POSITION, PRAY, detailing his journey to becoming a runner, was published last October and has already been sold to Czechia.

We are also happy to remind you that the latest FILI translation grant application round is ongoing and will last until February 1st!
You can find more information here: Translation and printing grants for publishers outside Finland – FILI

Now is the perfect time to acquire the rights for this or any of the other amazing titles on our list!

Download materials for RASPBERRY BOAT REFUGEE here!

Raspberry Boat Refugee

Miika Nousiainen

An extremely funny debut novel that tenderly depicts the western neighbours of Finland – so close, yet so far. 

Mikko Virtanen has a problem. He does not want to be a Finnish man, the grumpy epitome of anxiety and low self-esteem. He has decided to become Swedish instead, by any means necessary.

The road to Swedishness is a long one, and the price to pay high. But what wouldn’t you do for a chance to live as a member of the most democratic society of the world, in the ‘folkhemmet’ of ABBA, mamma’s meat balls and social democracy?

Mikko Virtanen becomes Mikael Andersson – the empathic, loving and dialogical father of two from Gothenburg, but when his lifetime wish is fulfilled, everything goes haywire.