{"title":"Series: The Helsinki Trilogy","description":"\u003cp\u003eWelcome to the engrossing world of \u003cem\u003eThe Helsinki Trilogy\u003c\/em\u003e, a captivating series that dives deep into the contemporary landscape of Finland's bustling capital. This collection offers a compelling exploration of urban life through the lens of nuanced fiction. Immerse yourself in stories where intricate plots and vivid characters paint a portrait of Helsinki's vibrant yet complex society.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAmong the intriguing novels in this series is \u003cem\u003eLowest Common Denominator\u003c\/em\u003e, a book that stands out with its thought-provoking narrative. Each instalment of the trilogy delves into themes of identity, human connection, and existential reflection, all set against the uniquely compelling backdrop of Helsinki.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhether you're a seasoned reader of general fiction or new to this genre, \u003cem\u003eThe Helsinki Trilogy\u003c\/em\u003e invites you to unfold tales woven with cultural richness and emotional depth. Perfect for those who appreciate storytelling that challenges perceptions and ignites the imagination.\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\/series-the-helsinki-trilogy.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}