Treatment

“Trainspotting” meets “Requiem for a Dream” in this gritty, literary thriller.

A chillingly perceptive story about the drug wave that swept over Finland during the recession of 1990s and its veterans.

The life of a man who has succeeded in breaking free from drug circles is shaken up when he hears news of his little sister, who disappeared decades ago. Will the painful memories drag him back to the ruthless drug world of an industrial city, or will he manage to hold on to the new life he has worked so hard to build?

The novel, which takes place in two time frames, is an arrestingly realistic deep dive into the world of addiction, the shadows of our society, and the stages of drug policy from the 1990s to the present day.

PRAISE:

“This work impressively depicts the protagonist's internal confusion over the span of a few days. The view shifts from the present to the past, playing with the depiction of time to present a wide range of what kind of human trajectories could be hidden behind statistics. The gallery of characters is both recognisable and new in its humanity. The work's relationship to its subject is analytical and empathetic.”

– 2024 Finlandia Prize Jury

“TREATMENT is a very, very refreshing and meaningful read in today's Finnish literary scene. (-) A novel like this reminds us of the importance literature can have when it offers a view into the unknown and increases our understanding of life.”

– Savon Sanomat newspaper