Toivo Pekkanen

Toivo Rikhart Pekkanen was a writer from Finland.
He was a working class writer without much formal education and is notable for being the first member of the working class to make a living from writing. The Pekkas Award has been established in his honor.
Pekkanen's breakthrough work Tehtaan varjossa describes realistically but dispassionately the living conditions of the working class. The hero, Samuel Oino, educates himself to get a better life - much like Pekkanen himself. His second well known book is the autobiographical Lapsuuteni, about his poor childhood years. The Finnish Civil War is seen from the Reds' side but without bitterness.
Pekkanen was in Copenhagen, Denmark, improving his health, when he died from a brain hemorrhage.

Works

Rautaiset Kädet, short story collection Satama ja Meri, short story collection Kuolemattomat '''', short story collection Tientekijät '', novel Tehtaan Varjossa, novel Sisarukset , play Kauppiaiden Lapset , novel Ihmisten Kevät , novel Takaisin Austraaliaan , play Isänmaan Ranta , novel Ukkosen Tuomio , play Raukkaus ja Raha , play Demoni , play Musta Hurmio, novel Ne Menneet Veuodet, novel Elämän ja Kuoleman Pidot , short story collection Jumalan Myllyt , novel, rewrite of Meneet Vuodet Nuorin Veli , novel Aamuhämärä , novel Toverukset , novel Voittajat ja voitetut , novel Lapsuuteni , memoir Lähtö matkalle '', collection of poems