A Charming Mass Suicide

By Arto Paasilinna

Two depressed men, Onni Rellonen and Colonel Hermanni Kemppainen, decide to found a ‘Let’s do it together’ suicide association to help the suicidal achieve their goal. The two men realise they have a lot in common and decide to support each other from here on out. Together they place an advert in their local newspaper, which prompts over 600 responses from suicidal individuals.

With strength in numbers, Rellonen and Kemppainen decide to form a suicide association in order to help everyone achieve their shared goal. The story reaches its climax as a busload of suicidal individuals embark on a trip across Europe in search of the best spot for a mass suicide.

A Charming Mass Suicide is one of Paasilinna’s most popular titles. It’s a joyful celebration of life that shows off his exceptional talent for dark comedy. Delving into the gloomy Finnish psyche, A Charming Mass Suicide ultimately turns the group’s misery on its head and showcases a surprising zest for life.

A Charming Mass Suicide was adapted for film in Finland in 2000 (dir. Ere Kokkonen). It was also adapted for a musical in South Korea in 2009.

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About the author

Arto Paasilinna (1942-2018) worked as a lumberjack and journalist before becoming a full-time writer. He published thirty-five novels and twelve non-fiction works during his lifetime, cementing his authorship as one full of creative vision, humour, and uplifting portrayals of man’s relationship with nature. One of Finland’s most well-known writers, his works have been translated into over 40 languages and have sold over 8 million copies worldwide.