Shifting Waters: A Journey Through an Altered Landscape
By Jenni Räinä
SHORTLISTED FOR 2025 FINLANDIA IN NON-FICTION
Jenni Räinä's beautiful and intimate new non-fiction book is an impressive work about the disappearing nature.
Years ago, Jenni Räinä realised how natural streams had almost completely disappeared from Finland, including from her native region. After the passing of her father, she set out on an expedition to explore the changed waterways. She travelled from springs to streams, from streams to rivers, and along rivers to the seashore. She witnessed the dramatic change that had taken place in a single generation.
This work of fiction spans waterways, from the shores of ancient seas to the rivers of our time. It vividly depicts the disappearing life forms of the streams and their uniqueness.
Shifting Waters is an impactful work about the disappearing nature that is taking place right before our eyes, but which we overlook.
Jenni Räinä is known as an outspoken advocate for nature and a powerful and perceptive writer about the natural world.
Publishing information
Awards & nominations
Nominations
2025
Botnia Prize
2025
Finlandia Non-Fiction 2025
Reviews
"The book has a personal and distinctive narrative voice, but the text gives the topic plenty of space. Even if the reader doesn't think they'll be interested in waterways, they'll enjoy reading this! The flowing narrative is engaging. The book makes one understand the vulnerability and importance of waterways as part of Finnish nature".
“Jenni Räinä's non-fiction book Shifting Waters starts from a personal perspective, focusing on nearby waters and loved ones. Like the water cycle, its structure branches out, overlaps, and grows to global, even universal dimensions. Change is constant, and adapting to it is part of being human, but the book challenges us to ask what directions and memories we lose as we adapt. The work is based on natural science, empiricism, and experience. At the same time, it explores cultural heritage, philosophy, and mysticism, and the different kinds of consciousness they carry. Discussions with experts and those with personal experience form an organic part of the narrator's reflections. The porous and, in places, fragile structure of the world is not merely a sign of vulnerability to danger; it is a prerequisite for life, both in a philosophical and biological sense. This fascinating work provides information about an element that concerns us all, but in addition to concern, it also inspires hope that we can better understand the environment of which we are all a part.”
“Räinä's text is eloquent and beautiful”
