{"title":"Pirkko Saisio","description":"\u003cp\u003ePirkko Saisio is a celebrated Finnish author and playwright, renowned for her profound explorations of identity and personal growth. With a literary career spanning several decades, Saisio has captivated readers with her unique voice and innovative storytelling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHer works often delve into themes of human connection, self-discovery, and the nuances of societal norms, making them a compelling read for anyone interested in thought-provoking literature. Saisio’s ability to weave intricate narratives that resonate on both an emotional and intellectual level sets her apart in the world of general fiction.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAmong her acclaimed titles is \u003cem\u003eLowest Common Denominator\u003c\/em\u003e, a novel that exemplifies her skill in blending personal reflection with broader social commentary. This book, along with her other works, offers readers a rich tapestry of characters and experiences, drawing them into a beautifully constructed literary world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhether you're a long-time fan or new to her writing, exploring Pirkko Saisio’s collection promises an enriching literary journey that will leave you pondering life's complexities long after you've turned the last page.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"lowest-common-denominator-by-pirkko-saisio-9780241730096","title":"Lowest Common Denominator","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA riveting, funny coming-of-age story - the first volume in Pirkko Saisio's award-winning Helsinki trilogy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eGrandpa says everyone should leave me alone. If I want to be a boy, then I'm a boy - simple as that.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWriting in the wake of her father's death, the narrator of Pirkko Saisio's autofictional novel transports us to the 1950s Finland of her youth, where she navigates life as an only child of communist parents. Convinced she will grow up to become a man, a young Pirkko keeps trying and failing to meet the expectations of the adults around her.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWith wit and style, Saisio captures the heart-wrenching intensity of childhood feeling, merging fever dreams with sensory-laden memories as each formative experience - with the Big Bad Wolf, a bikini-clad circus announcer, and Jesus Christ himself - drives her further and further from her family and others. Struggling to understand her place in the world around her, it's in language that she discovers a refuge and a way to be seen at last.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAn unforgettable story of transformation, \u003cem\u003eLowest Common Denominator\u003c\/em\u003e is the first volume in a trilogy that has been celebrated in Finland as the best work of the century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Gardners Books Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46546743984364,"sku":"9780241730096","price":30.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780241730096.jpg?v=1750037078"},{"product_id":"backlight-by-pirkko-saisio-9780241730072","title":"Backlight","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA riveting, funny coming-of-age story — the second volume in Pirkko Saisio's award-winning Helsinki trilogy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTeenaged Pirkko can't decide which she hates most — God, her communist father, or her growing breasts. Grandpa has moved into the room long promised to her, and Mother, overworked and distant, tries to keep the peace between her headstrong daughter and husband.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt's 1960s Finland and Pirkko has fun getting into trouble. That is, until her teacher suggests she might have what it takes to be a real writer. Then the historic summer of 1968 arrives, which Pirkko spends working at a Swiss orphanage where no one understands her and, as much as her family drive her mad, she's homesick for the first time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAs the world shifts and swirls around her, Pirkko must make sense of it all — including her own sexual identity. A funny, unique coming-of-age story and an intimate portrait of a life lived in language, \u003cem\u003eBacklight\u003c\/em\u003e is the second volume in Pirkko Saisio's award-winning Helsinki trilogy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTranslated from Finnish by Mia Spangenberg.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47288369119468,"sku":"9780241730072","price":35.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/0e23e858a9b6d2e55eea9d5775c843e7.jpg?v=1770633552"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.live\/collections\/pirkko-saisio.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}