Collected Short Stories

By Raija Siekkinen

Anna, Anne, Maria, Marja or Maaria. A woman, alone or with others, at home or on a journey. A woman with a man who takes his car and leaves. In Raija Siekkinen’s short stories, a woman is surrounded by the circle of loneliness, defined by her experience as a bystander. Human relationships and the whole spectrum of emotions are depicted in a dazzling way, and o en with a subtle sense of humour.

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About the author

Raija Siekkinen (1953- 2004) was an acknowledged master of short stories and one of the most notable literary authors of the late 20th century in Finland. She published several collections, as well as novels and children’s books during her career.In her short stories, everyday events play an essential part in the great drama of life: love, disappointment, anger, divorce and deceit. The viewpoint of a loner, a child or a marginalized woman formed the basis for her unique narration. She excels at depicting psychological processes, inner movements, through giving them an external form, a tangible figure in the story. Siekkinen was awarded the State Prize for Literature, the Runeberg Prize and Eino Leino Prize. She was also nominated for the Finlandia Prize in 1991.