Representing the best
Finnish authors abroad
Finnish authors abroad
A dazzling novel about strength, bravery, and the power of magic set in a war-torn Finland.
Cold Nerves, Hot Blood tells the story of Antti Kokkoluoto who is born in 1918, in the midst of war-torn Finland. Kokkoluoto’s midwife, who is rumoured to be a witch, predicts that he’ll live a long life and die on 12 July 1990, when Kokkoluoto is well into his 70s.
The book follows Kokkoluoto’s story and is closely tied to Finnish history. In it, Kokkoluoto experiences the Prohibition Act, the Winter War and the Continuation War first hand. With guidance from his father, and the knowledge that he is due to live a long life, Kokkoluoto is fearless and takes on every challenge that comes his way. When his father is captured by fascists, Kokkoluoto takes matters into his own hands. And when the Winter War arrives, Kokkoluoto decides to test the midwife’s prediction, opting to take part. He survives and goes onto get married, but later finds himself back on the front lines when the Continuation War kicks off.
The story ends on 12 July 1990 when Kokkoluoto’s family bring thousands of people together to find out whether the midwife’s prediction will come true, or whether the fierce Antti Kokkoluoto will survive his own death day.
Arto Paasilinna (1942-2018) is the most renowned contemporary Finnish author, having published 35 novels and countless other works during his lifetime. In Finland, he has been one of the most popular authors since the 1970s. His most famous books include The Year of the Hare, The Howling Miller, A Charming Mass Suicide and The Forest of Hanged Foxes. Many of Paasilinna’s books have been turned into feature films and plays and adapted to comic books. His books have sold over 8 million copies worldwide, with publishers in several countries buying out more than 15 titles each. Paasilinna’s works have been translated into over 40 languages.
French (Denoël)*
German (Lübbe)
Italian (Iperborea)
Norwegian (Aschehoug)
Swedish (Brombergs)*
*rights reverted
“This story ends with humorous observations about life and death. Paasilinna has never shied away from the big topics, and Finland gaining independence is a big topic for Finns. Paasilinna handles it on his own way: boldly and finitely.” – Helsingin Sanomat, Finland
“On placera alors, sans hésiter, Sang chaud, nerfs d’acier dans la catégorie des ouvrages qui nous offrent un itinéraire dans le temps. Des histoires de vies, donc, trois générations, des aventures pittoresques dans la Finlande de l’entre-deux-guerres à nos jours, des pêches miraculeuses dans le golfe de Botnie, une femme chamane et des beuveries déraisonnables. Un bon cru !” – L’Express, France
“Paasilinna possède un talent inné de conteur qui s’exprime ici une fois encore.” – Lecture Ecriture, France
“Ce qui, je crois, fait le charme de Paasilinna, c’est son sens de l’humour. Un humour voltairien – rappelez-vous Candide – qui ne nous dit jamais de rire mais qui fait naître des sourires de compréhension lorsque nous saisissons le ridicule ou l’humour – plus ou moins noir – de ce qui est dit.” – Murmures, France
“La crise de 1929, les affrontements récurrents entre fascistes et communistes, la Seconde Guerre mondiale viendront ponctuer cette truculente saga portée par l’imagination de Paasilinna, qui réussit le pari d’initier le lecteur à l’histoire de la Finlande sans jamais rien perdre de son humour et de sa fantaisie.” – France Culture
“L’auteur Lapon du Lièvre de Vatanen et autres succès burlesques choisit cette fois le récit historique. Le lecteur marche dans les pas de cet homme qui traverse le siècle sans jamais baisser les bras. L’humour est toujours là mais beaucoup plus réaliste.” – Ouest France
