Under the North Star trilogy


Under the North Star is a trilogy published between 1959 and 1962 by Väinö Linna, Finnish author and former soldier who fought in the Continuation War. The novel follows the life of a Finnish family from 1880, through the First World War, the Finnish Civil War and the Second World War, to about 1950. Through the lives of ordinary people, it describes the clash of ideals in Finland's language strife and the struggle between the Whites and the Reds in the movement to Independence and Civil War.
Based on the work, two film adaptations directed by Edvin Laine have been made: the 1968 film Here, Beneath the North Star and its 1970 sequel Akseli and Elina.
The novel shares one main character, Akseli Koskela, and through his son Vilho Koskela covers some of the same events as Linna's 1954 novel The Unknown Soldier, which is considered the author's magnum opus.

Plot summaries

Vol. I: ''Under the North Star''

"In the beginning there were the swamp, the hoe – and Jussi", the book starts, when the story opens with Jussi, a farm hand from Häme, clearing marshland to create a croft, which will later be called Koskela. In the first part of the book tension mounts between crofters and land owners in the village of Pentinkulma. Jussi's son Akseli becomes an active socialist. At the same time the upper classes are concerned with language strife and Finland's relationship with Russia.

Vol. II: ''The Uprising''

In the second part the Finnish Civil War breaks out. The book describes the atrocities committed on both sides, as well as the tensions which lead up to them. The war hits Koskela harshly, for the family loses two sons.

Vol. III: ''Reconciliation''

In the third part the community is dominated by the Whites, the victors of the Civil War. In Koskela, however, matters improve as crofters are liberated and Koskela becomes an independent farm. Things turn for the worse at the outbreak of the Second World War. Again Koskela pays a heavy price, losing three sons: Vilho, Eero and Voitto. The last chapters of the book concentrate on the reconciliatory atmosphere created by the joint hardships endured during the war.

Main characters

Akseli Koskela, platoon leader in the Red Guard, later a farmerElina Koskela, Akseli's wifeJohannes "Jussi" Koskela, Akseli's father, tenant of the vicarageAlma Koskela, Akseli's mother and Jussi's wifeAleksis "Aleksi" Koskela, Akseli's brother, Jussi and Alma's second sonAugust "Aku" Koskela, Akseli and Aleksi's brother, Jussi and Alma's third sonAdolf "Aatu" Halme, village tailorLauri Salpakari, the local vicar and landlord of the Koskela Family, né Lars StenbomEllen Salpakari, Vicar Salpakari's wife, a conservative politicianOtto Kivivuori, tenant farmer, Elina's fatherAnna Kivivuori, Otto's wife, Elina's motherJanne Kivivuori, Otto and Anna's eldest son, mason, socialist politicianOskari "Osku" Kivivuori, Otto and Anna's youngest son, member of the Red GuardAnton "Anttoo" Laurila, tenant farmerUuno Laurila, Anttoo's son, member of the Red GuardElma Laurila, Anttoo's daughter, Akusti's fiancéeKalle Töyry, master of the Töyry House, landlord of the Laurila FamilyArtturi Yllö, judge and wealthy landownerAntero Mellola, very fat saw-mill ownerPreeti Leppänen, tenant farmerAune Leppänen, Preeti's daughterThe Baron, owner of the Manor, landlord of the Leppänen FamilyThe Baroness, The Baron's wifeThe Wolf-Kustaa, hunter and tramp

Impact

The book is considered a classic in Finland with print runs into hundreds of thousands. Even most of those who have not read the book are familiar with the iconic opening words "Alussa olivat suo, kuokka — ja Jussi". It is a reference to two verses from the Bible, the opening sentence of the creation account, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth,” and the opening sentence of the Gospel of John, “In the beginning was the Word”.
The second book in the trilogy, The Uprising, generated considerable controversy over its portrayal of the Finnish Civil War because, for the first time, a novel was published that was sympathetic towards the Reds. Up until then, all history of the Finnish Civil War had been written by the Whites. Under the North Star played a crucial role in starting a discussion in Finland over what really happened in 1918 and in healing decades-old wounds between the two factions.

Translations

Under the North Star has been translated into English by Richard Impola:
  • Vol. 1 Under the North Star, pub. 2001,
  • Vol. 2 Under the North Star 2: The Uprising, pub. 2002,
  • Vol. 3 Under the North Star 3: Reconciliation, pub. 2003,
Unfortunately these translated publications contain many typographical errors.