LEHTONEN, JOEL

(1881-1934)

A Finnish novelist, short story writer, and poet, Lehtonen never knew his father and became a ward of the community owing to his mother's poverty and doubtful reputation. Raised by the kind widow of a local minister, he received an education and worked as a journalist for some time. The young Lehtonen adopted aneoromanticand Nietzschean view of life and quickly produced several works: the long poemPerm(1904; Perm), the novelPaholaisen viulu(1904; The Devil s Fiddle), the short story collectionVilli(1905; Savage), and Mataleena (1905; Magdalen), a novel that commented on his own origins. These books featured artistically inclined rebels and were well received.

Some travel in Europe broadened Lehtonen s outlook and helped him develop a more tolerant attitude.He bought property in his home district of Savonlinna, published a couple of collections of folktales, and returned to his travels, during which time he was very active as a translator of classical European literature. A travel book from this time isMyrtti ja alppiruusu(1911; Myrtle and Rhododendron).

During these years Lehtonen also published four collections of poetry:Nuoruus(1911; Youth),Rakkaita muistoja(1911; Beloved Memories),Markkinoilta(1912; From the Fair), andMunkki-kammio(1914; The Monk s Cell). But his greatest achievement is the Putki-notko books, three novels and a collection of short stories that feature a common cast of characters. The novelKerran kesalla(1917; Once in Summer) represents a turning away from neoromanticism towardrealismand criticizes those of his educated contemporaries who were stuck in the past.Kuolleet omenapuut(1918; Dead Apple Trees) contains short stories.Putkinotko(1919-1920) is a very long novel that attempts to capture the events of a single summer day and suggests that the beauty of summer, like the pleasant aspects of life, may be compensation for a person's unpleasantries and toil. The series concludes with the novelKorpi ja puutarha(1923; Wilderness and Garden). Lehtonen also wrote two books about his early childhood and his summers:Onnen poika(1925; Son of Fortune) andLintukoto(1929, Birdhouse).

Lehtonen's personal life during these years was plagued by illness and pain, and his outlook on life gradually became increasingly pessimistic. Such novels asRakastunut rampa(1922; A Cripple in Love), the two-partSorron lapset—Punainen mies(1923-1925; The Oppressed—The Red Man), andHenkien taistelu(1933; Struggle of the Spirits) all offer extremely negative representations of Lehtonen's society. He voluntarily ended his life in 1934.