The Czech edition of Passion by Pirkko Saisio, in translation by Michal Švec and published by Host, is running for the Magnesia Litera Award, the most important prize on the Czech literary scene.
More fantastic news for Pirkko Saisio: her novel Passion, in translation by Michal Švec and published by Host, is running for the Magnesia Litera Award, the most important prize on the Czech literary scene.
The jury have stated: “A novel about life, passion, suffering, search and redemption, covering almost five hundred years of European history from the Renaissance to the 1950s. It presents a colourful kaleidoscope of cultures, religions and human stories that are often filled with violence and despair, but the overall tone of the work is not bleak. Even in the darkest of circumstances, there is often a glimmer of hope. The story’s vehicle is a fateful gold jewel with precious stones, which constantly changes form and owner on its journey through Europe. But nothing lasts, not faith, not success, not gold, not power.
The translator handles the multi-layered, opulent language of the original and the wide range of characters of different nationalities, creeds and occupations with an ease and simplicity that engages the reader. Historical eras and locations alternate, but the translation is just as surely set in a mirror workshop on the Italian island of Murano, a Polish Catholic monastery near Krakow, or a Soviet gulag, and skillfully reflects the language of that particular religious and professional group.“
Passion opens on the dawn of the 16th century. Dominican friar Girolamo Savonarola has been hanged and burned at the stake at the Piazza della Signoria. The fanatical ascetic nightmare has ended, Florence has been resurrected, and Princess Vasari can once again dress according to her rank and adorn herself in the extravagant necklace her husband has given her. There is more to the jewel than whats meets the eye, and it is the red thread that ties together the fates of different people across Europe, and across 500 years. The result is a color-saturated, Tarkovskian chronicle of Europe centered on life’s purpose and the search for meaning, circling around the necklace. The novel was nominated for Finland’s biggest literary award, the Finlandia Prize, upon its release and it sold almost 30.000 copies in less than six months. Passion was also recently included in the Readers’ and Critics’ Selections of the 100 Best Books from Finland.
Pirkko Saisio is the author of the globally successful Helsinki Trilogy, and the great dame of Finnish literature, with a production ranging from novels, to librettos, plays, and autofiction.
Congratulations to the author, the translator, and the publisher – and fingers crossed!