
PEKKA PUAVALJ
MAIJU LASSILA
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Pekka Puavalj is a stoic, sixty‑year‑old farmer who has spent most of his life in a modest lakeside cottage with his wife, Ieva Liisa. After nearly forty years of marriage they finally decide to dig the well they’ve postponed for decades, hoping it will finally bring some convenience to their routine. The narrative paints a vivid picture of rural Finnish life, where simple chores become the backdrop for quiet humor and lingering domestic rhythms.
On a brutally cold January day that coincides with their fortieth anniversary, Pekka begins the excavation, and a lone snowflake—playful and reckless—breaks free from the drifts. It darts away, only to tumble into the freshly dug pit, turning the solemn task into a sudden, light‑hearted scramble. This opening sets the tone for a story that blends gentle satire with an affectionate look at perseverance, partnership, and the small, unexpected moments that shape everyday existence.
Language
fi
Duration
~1 hours (75K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2014-06-23
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
1868–1918
Behind this pen name was a Finnish writer and journalist with a sharp eye for everyday life, rural comedy, and social satire. Best known for Tulitikkuja lainaamassa, he published under several names and left a distinctive mark on Finnish literature.
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