The secrets of Arto Tapio Paasilinna’s stylistics

Abstract

The article gives an overview of the literary legacy of Arto Tapio Paasilinna — one of the few Finnish authors of the second half of the 20th c. to enjoy international renown. Paasilinna’s 35 novels have been translated into 40 different languages; many of the books have been adapted to films. Russian audiences have yet to discover all of Paasilinna’s works. His books offer perfect material to study Finnish culture, humour, and enigmatic female characters. The present essay dwells on the critic’s impression of several unique stylistic features of Paasilinna’s prose. Finnish humour, attention to detail, and unexpected metaphors, along with other devices used by Paasilinna, allow for a study of Finnish culture that is shown not only through examples of typical behaviour of its remarkable representatives, but also as a mystery behind a façade of what seems like indifference and emotional inadequacy. Finland can boast hundreds of literary professionals, yet Paasilinna holds a special place in the vibrant stylistic diversity of the contemporary Finnish literary process.