Title: He eivät tiedä mitä tekevät
Author: Jussi Valtonen
First published September 1, 2014
559 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9789513174293
Rating: 3.81
Overview
What happens when a father spends his days researching the neurons of cats and his son’s life mission is to defend animal rights? Meet Joe, Alina, and their newborn son, Samuel.
Joe is an American neuroscientist trying to advance his career in his new home country of Finland. Meanwhile, Alina has abandoned her own studies to focus on raising Samuel at home.
Years later, Joe is a celebrated top researcher in the United States, surrounded by his new happy family. On the other side of the world, Samuel is on the brink of adulthood, searching for his own place in the world.
When he finally finds the right ideology and community, nothing can stop him. Like his father, he is willing to make difficult choices for what he believes is right.
Discover the compelling story of a family torn apart by their beliefs in Jussi Valtonen’s “He eivät tiedä mitä tekevät.”
About the Author
Jussi Valtonen, born in 1974, is an author and psychologist based in Helsinki. He has already published two novels and a collection of short stories.
Currently, he is completing his doctoral thesis in neuropsychology, for which he has conducted significant research in the United States.
Valtonen’s novel, “Siipien Kantamat,” received second place in the Bonnier Novel Competition and received positive feedback from both critics and book bloggers. Additionally, his work “He Eivät Tiedä Mitä Tekevät” was awarded the Finlandia Prize in 2014.
Editoral Review
Jussi Valtonen’s “He eivt tied mit tekevt” is a remarkable novel that explores the complexities of modern life and the struggle for emotional connection in a rapidly changing world. The author, a Finnish writer and psychiatrist, has crafted a novel that is both thought-provoking and emotionally resonant, blending elements of family drama and dystopian fiction to create a haunting and unforgettable story.
The novel is set in present-day Finland and the United States and centers around the lives of two main characters, Joe Chayefski, an American neuroscientist, and his estranged son Samuel, a troubled teenager living in Finland with his mother. The story unfolds through alternating perspectives as Joe struggles to reconnect with his son and unravel a mysterious technology project he is involved in that threatens to unleash a global catastrophe.
Without giving away too much of the plot, the novel addresses themes such as family dynamics, technology, identity, and mental illness. Jussi Valtonen deftly weaves together these themes to create a multi-layered narrative that is both rich in detail and emotionally engaging.
The writing in “He eivt tied mit tekevt” is sharp, evocative, and vivid. The prose is beautifully crafted, with a strong sense of place and a keen eye for detail.
The characters are well-drawn and fully realized, and the pacing of the narrative is expertly handled, keeping the reader engaged and invested in the story. The novel also has significant cultural and historical relevance, exploring the impact of technology on society and the human psyche.
Jussi Valtonen provides a nuanced portrayal of modern life, juxtaposing the empty promises of undeniable technological progress with the very real human toll it can take. While there are certainly moments that drag on, the novel’s strengths more than outweigh any minor shortcomings, making it a must-read for fans of literary fiction and dystopian fiction alike.
The thematic exploration into the human condition is expertly handled, and the novel manages to balance philosophical and emotional depth without ever feeling pretentious. Overall, “He eivt tied mit tekevt” is an ambitious and rewarding work that deserves the attention of any reader interested in exploring the complexities of modern life.
With its richly drawn characters, evocative prose, and nuanced exploration of technology’s impact on society, this novel will stay with you long after you turn the last page. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a thought-provoking, emotionally resonant read.
