The Kalevala: Epic of the Finnish People (Hardcover)

by Eino Friberg (Author, Editor), Elias Lönnrot (Editor), Translator (Editor), George C. Schoolfield (Editor), Bjorn Landstrom (Illustrator) "I am wanting, I am thinking To arise and go forth singing,..." (more)
Key Phrases: ciphered cover, eternal hammerer, dear bearer, Quiet Water, Foggy Island, Great Bear (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
National Epic of Finland. Epic narrative poetry, originally published in Finnish in 1849.

Language Notes
Text: English, Finnish (translation)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 408 pages
• Publisher: Kustannusosakeyhtio Otava (September 8, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9511101374
• ISBN-13: 978-9511101376
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #640,044 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A readable translation, July 25, 1999

By A Customer

Friberg does a good job of translating the Kalevala into a readable English form. The Kalevala is a collection of 'Runos' or poems that were sung by storytellers. Friberg's translation is of the spirit of the stories. Some translations have tried to translate both the verse and the story making both dry and uninteresting. Frieberg concentrates on making the story read well in current English.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent translation, May 17, 1999

By	[e-mail] (Vancouver, WA) - See all my reviews

This translation if folksy and sensitive to the feel of the original. Although not encumbered with scholarly precision, it is right on the mark for continuing the ancient tradtions of the Finns. This was a major resource for me in the writing of my book Finnish Magic. The illustrations too are delightful

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars By far the best, January 7, 2001

By	Aaron Shepard - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I read Friberg's translation, along with every other available one in English, as research for my picture book retelling "The Maiden of Northland." Friberg's was simply the best, by far.