Do you like reading books by Women in Translation? Do other people’s relationships fascinate you? Do you like reading about exactly what life is like in other countries? Do you make it an aim to support small presses?
If so, this book is for you, and there’s a copy as a prize for one lucky blog reader!
About the author, from the back of the book:
“One of the leading names in contemporary Northern European fiction, Anja Snellman has authored 25 novels, with translations into more than 20 languages. Her debut, “Sonia O. was here”, remains the highest-selling first novel in the history of Finnish literature”.
You can find out more about the publisher, New Terrain Press, here.
Anja Snellman – “Continents”
(24 March 2019, kindly sent to me by the publisher in return for an honest review)
First of all, this small paperback is a lovely, well-made object and the cover excellent. I’m glad I was sent the physical object as well as the e-book. Impeccably translated, it takes a forensic view of a couple’s journey through what the impulsive, artistic Oona describes as “the continents of love”, from sultry Asia, where it’s mostly about the bedroom and you learn a lot of information, not all useful, to, perhaps, the threat of Antarctica.
Originally published in Finnish in 2005, it feels like a very European (both in its general feel and in its openness to discussing matters of a sexual nature) and modern (the pulls that all couples feel come to the fore) and can be devoured in a couple of sittings or savoured. It’s highly competent and well-written and there’s not even a hint of the noir about it, which is refreshing for this reader!
The couple’s social milieu as they grow and age is gently but expertly skewered: Oona’s friends are described, for example, as people
who were always on their way to or from the opening of a performance art event or an art exhibition, who had a hammock in their bedroom, who cut their own hair, and whose T-shirts proclaimed Feminist Fatale. (p. 54)
As they travel through Australia, the land of small children and discovery, and Europe with its new hobbies and redecoration projects, Oona’s cartoon couple, whose books she lives off, Rainbow and Scoop, echo her and Alex’s journey, their cats pass through their lives (this is sensitively done and not too massively upsetting) and their children grow up and react to them, in a skilful interweaving. Oona wants a room of her own, and Alex grows a beard in some desperation: you root for them but also enjoy their life being exposed in this clever and highly technically competent novel with a warm heart.
Would you like to win a copy of “Continents”? It’s a quick read and a good one and the publisher has kindly offered a copy to one of my readers. Simple post a comment making it clear you’d like to win and I’ll pick a winner at random on 15 April and contact you for your address.
(Comp small print: you will need to give me your address to pass to the publisher, this will not put you on any tricky mailing list and you can rest assured they will delete your address once they’ve sent out the book. If you really don’t want them to have your address, you can give it to me and I’ll post your copy on, but I do know and trust the publisher!).
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 02, 2019 @ 15:18:57
Well I’m intrigued enough to chuck my name into the hat for this, despite being swamped with books. An author new to me, and I love to support small presses, and a slim book might be a good antidote to large Russians! :DDDD
LikeLiked by 1 person
Liz Dexter
Apr 03, 2019 @ 07:53:12
I’m sure you’d enjoy it! Name is in hat!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Rebecca Foster
Apr 03, 2019 @ 10:38:20
Sounds great. I’d love to win a copy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Liz Dexter
Apr 03, 2019 @ 11:29:55
It’s a good, engaging and different read. Into the hat you go!
LikeLike
heavenali
Apr 03, 2019 @ 15:47:30
I’m not throwing my nane in the hat as I have too many books, and quite a lot of women in translation still to get too. Sounds interesting though.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Liz Dexter
Apr 03, 2019 @ 16:01:49
Understand although it is a quick read!
LikeLike
Tredynas Days
Apr 03, 2019 @ 15:53:07
I’d noticed this post, but you reminded me of it just now at T Days, so yes, I’d be happy to be in the hat too. Small press, translated by a woman/woman writer – good combination. Thanks for the nudge
LikeLiked by 1 person
Liz Dexter
Apr 03, 2019 @ 16:02:15
Great news, you’re in the hat, too. The translator is a chap but I hope that doesn’t spoil it for you!!
LikeLike
Tredynas Days
Apr 03, 2019 @ 16:06:51
Oops, stupid mistake – should have looked more carefully. Still interested though
LikeLiked by 1 person
Kristi Hein
Apr 06, 2019 @ 23:48:44
If I may chime in — it is translated (beautifully) by a man, with American copyediting by a woman: me! And I simply love this book and hope it gains the following it deserves.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Liz Dexter
Apr 07, 2019 @ 17:50:13
Oh, well done – I should have mentioned that the copyediting was flawless, although as an editor myself I try not to comment on the editing of books in case I come over as over-picky!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Tredynas Days
Aug 14, 2019 @ 09:57:28
Many thanks, Liz, for the giveaway prize of this Anja Snellman novel, a geography of love. I’ve just posted about it over at my place: https://wp.me/p3oBGt-EG
LikeLiked by 1 person
Liz Dexter
Aug 14, 2019 @ 10:07:46
A great review, thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
karen virginia flaxman
Apr 03, 2019 @ 17:14:29
Oh, yes, I do enjoy reading translations of the books of women writers from around the world, in particular those from Europe, Scandinavia, and the Eastern European countries such as Russia, the Ukraine, and the like. I would be delighted to receive the copy you’re offering, especially because I like the story it’s telling. And if I enjoy this novel I’m likely to read others by this writer that are available in English translations. I’ll review this one and others on my own WordPress blog, Notes from the Readet’s Nook (typo in the title that I am unable to change. Sigh …)
Thank you so much!
Karen
LikeLike
Liz Dexter
Apr 03, 2019 @ 17:16:21
Hello Karen, and welcome to my blog. I’ve reviewed quite a few books by Icelandic writers or about Iceland here, as that’s my particular interest, so you might find other reviews you’re interested in. And I’ll add you into the draw!
LikeLiked by 1 person
karen virginia flaxman
Apr 04, 2019 @ 01:36:23
Thank you for entering me into the draw. Fingers crossed!!
Karen
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gilt and Dust
Apr 04, 2019 @ 06:50:30
This sounds really interesting. I have a massive TBR but too few books by women in translation so I would love to throw my name into the hat too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Liz Dexter
Apr 04, 2019 @ 07:11:46
Great stuff, name is in hat!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Izzy
Apr 04, 2019 @ 10:11:06
I love everything Finnish…Am I allowed to take part though I’m still not a blogger ?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Liz Dexter
Apr 04, 2019 @ 11:29:08
Yes, of course. But if you win it, read it and like it, it would be useful if you pop a review on Amazon or anywhere else you talk about books (Goodreads, etc.) if that’s OK.
LikeLike
Izzy
Apr 07, 2019 @ 11:33:47
I just tried to order it from Amaz, but it’s only available on Kindle, not in book form, for the time being. I’ll try again, don’t count me in.
Have a nice Sunday !
LikeLiked by 1 person
Kristi Hein
Apr 07, 2019 @ 17:24:25
Perhaps you’re not in the US, but I find the paperback on Amazon here: https://smile.amazon.com/Continents-Love-Story-Anja-Snellman/dp/952689930X/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_1?keywords=continents+snellman&qid=1554657792&s=books&sr=1-1-fkmrnull
LikeLiked by 1 person
Rhonda
Apr 06, 2019 @ 13:46:23
Noticed your blog on Simons’ blog he always recommends blogs that are perfect for me.I just subscribed would love to be entered in this contest will happily share my address I’m in the U S not sure if this is an international contest,
LikeLike
Liz Dexter
Apr 06, 2019 @ 15:19:50
Hello Rhonda, I’m glad you’re enjoying my blog and yes, I will enter you into the competition!
LikeLike
Ste J
Apr 07, 2019 @ 02:44:26
I’ll throw my name in, Finnish literature is something I have never read before and it sounds intriguing but different enough from my usual fare to be of interest.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Liz Dexter
Apr 07, 2019 @ 17:50:41
Great stuff, it’s a good read!
LikeLike
jillybeans5
Apr 07, 2019 @ 04:29:56
I am intrigued — added to my list! I’d love to win my own copy. Thank you for the offer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Liz Dexter
Apr 07, 2019 @ 17:51:09
It’s a very good read and interesting as anything!
LikeLike
Book review – May Mackie – “Cobwebs and Cream Teas” plus comp winners and lovely incomings #amreading #BookConfessions | Adventures in reading, running and working from home
Apr 26, 2019 @ 08:01:46
Anja Snellman, Continents. #WITMonth - Tredynas Days
Aug 14, 2019 @ 09:51:52
Book review – Mohsin Hamid – “The Last White Man” | Adventures in reading, running and working from home
Aug 13, 2022 @ 11:32:13