Tienhaarassa : $b Kokoelma havaintoja ja kuvauksia

A tapestry of brief, sharply observed scenes paints everyday life in early‑twentieth‑century Finland, all revolving around the ambiguous figure of Niilo Penttinen. He presents himself as a devout, patriotic benefactor, yet his prosperity depends on squeezing the laboring poor, whose meagre earnings line his own pockets. Beneath the respectable façade runs a constant, gnawing fear of poverty that drives him to ever‑more cunning schemes.

When a humble cobbler dies indebted to Penttinen, Death itself steps forward, and the once‑confident businessman is thrust into a desperate struggle to outrun his fate. He turns to every scientific trick, charitable pretense, and prayer he can muster, exposing the fragile line between piety and self‑interest. The collection’s wry humor and moral questioning invite listeners to reflect on how easily respectable masks can conceal greed, and what it truly means to face one’s own end.