Fantastic news keeps pouring in: the biggest literary phenomenon from Finland this year, Iida Turpeinen’s debut Beasts of the Sea, has sealed its 8th foreign deal as its Dutch rights were pre-empted by Singel Uitgevers’ Jacoba Casier (De Geus) and Michel van de Waart (Arbeiderspers).
A fascinating story that spans over 200 years and revolves around Steller’s sea cow – an extinct sirenian. The novel is a beautiful intersection of natural sciences and literature.
(Photo: Susanna Kekkonen)
“Both Jacoba [Jacoba Casier, De Geus] and I were impressed. I read the sample over the weekend and was immediately drawn into this powerful, multilayered story about the human urge to control, study and collect nature, destroying it in the process. It reminded me of books by Judith Schalansky and Daniel Kehlmann’s book on Humboldt. 19th century preciseness combined with deep aesthetic sensitivity and epic narration, with the urgency of the current climate crisis resonating between the lines,”
says Michel de Waart.
The publishing group is known for the translations of for example Olga Tokarczuk, Colm Tóibín, Karl Ove Knausgård and others.
Prior, Beasts of the Sea has traveled to the following areas:
German, S. Fischer (pre-empted)
Italy, Neri Pozza (pre-empted)
Denmark, People’s (pre-empted)
Sweden, Alfred Bonniers (pre-empted)
Norway, Gyldendal (pre-empted)
Hungary, Polar
Estonia, Tänapäev
There are offers on the table for the World French (Nordik Agency), World English (Helsinki Literary Agency) and Greek rights (Ersilia Literary Agency), and a pre-emptive offer from a 12th area.
For earlier news and praise by the editors, check the links: Norway, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Estonia.