3 February 2012
Peirene's Year of The Small Epic
Forget historical novels of 800 pages. Leave behind thousands of pages of Stieg Larsson. Abandon fat, dull celeb biographies. The future is here. Consider a Finnish historical novel in miniature form. Or how about a literary Danish crime story? Or maybe a Swiss novella in 10 pictures and 50 short chapters about the life of one of most famous Chinese painters of all times, Bada Shanren.
Welcome to Peirene’s Year of The Small Epic. Truly big stories in small packages.
The Brothers by Finnish author Asko Sahlberg, translated by Emily Jeremiah and Fleur Jeremiah, is our first title of The Small Epic Series. A gripping saga about sexual tensions, old grudges and family secrets in miniature form of 120 pages. “An intense illumination of time and space.” Helen Dunmore.
The book will be launched this month, Asko Sahlberg will be our guest in London and we have curated a beautiful event series for you:
On Thursday, 23rd of February, 6.30pm English author Lee Rourke and Asko will discuss the allure of Finnish history and its icy landscape (at Belgravia Books, 5min walk from Victoria, wine & nibbles, entry free, but please reserve a seat )
On Friday, 24th of February, 7pm Asko and Finnish internationally renowned violinist Kreeta-Julia Heikkilä will lead us right into dark Finland of 1809 when two brothers return to their snowed in farm after fighting on opposite sides of a war. (At the Finnish Institute in Holborn, W1,wine, free, again please reserve your seat)
And on Saturday, 25th of February I am delighted to invite you to our 12th Peirene Salon. Asko will be in conversation with BBC’s Rosie Goldsmith and his translator Emily Jeremiah. Dinner, wine and whisky will be served. 7.30 till late. We still have some tickets available.
A couple of further advance notices:
Watch our facebook page. We will run our next mini-short competition this month. An historical novel – of course- in 30 words and 3 sentences.
Peirene takes centre stage at the South Bank Centre 7/8 March. Beside the Sea by Veronique Olmi as a one-woman play about a mother who is driven to the extremes of mental and physical despair, performed by Lisa Dwan. Lisa previously starred in Beckett's Not I: "Lisa Dwan's take on Samuel Beckett's one-mouth play Not I – performed immobilised, blindfolded and with no time to swallow – was the fastest yet, and a privilege to behold." ( The Guardian)
I hope to see you at one of our events.
Best wishes Meike
P.S. Our books have gone up to £10 this year. But if you subscribe to our annual series you receive three books for £25, including free p&p.