The Kalevala by Elias Lönnrot
The Epic Poem of Finland
"The Kalevala" is an epic poem that compiles Finnish and Karelian folklore into a cohesive narrative. It is centered around the hero Väinämöinen, a shamanistic figure with magical powers, and his adventures with other characters such as the blacksmith Ilmarinen and the reckless Lemminkäinen. The book covers a wide range of themes, from creation myths and heroic quests to romance and revenge, providing a rich tapestry of ancient Finnish culture and mythology.
The 1051st greatest book of all time
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- Published
- 1835
- Nationality
- Finnish
- Length
- Long
- Pages
- 500-700
- Original Language
- Finnish
- Avg User Rating
-
(3.7)
- Alternate Titles
- None
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This book is on the following 5 lists:
- 2821st on Our Users' Honorable Mention Favorite Books of All Time (The Greatest Books Users)
- Classics Revisited (Kenneth Rexroth)
- Harenberg Buch der 1000 Bücher (Harenberg Buch der 1000 Bücher)
- James Baldwin, The Book Lover: A Guide to the Best Reading (1910) (Book)
- The Bigger Read List (English PEN)