Summary of The Human PartÂ
Salme, an elderly woman, agrees to sell her life story to a writer she meets at a book fair. However, conflicts arise when they disagree on the tone and accuracy of the book. The writer feels he needs to add fictional elements, but Salme is displeased with the changes to her story.
Reasons to read The Human Part
“The Human Part” is a humorous and thought-provoking exploration of the boundaries between reality and fiction, and a commentary on modern Finnish society. Kari Hotakainen is a celebrated Finnish writer, who won the Finlandia Prize and the Nordic Council Literature Prize for his book “Juoksuhaudantie” (which has not yet been translated into English). “The Human Part” received the Runeberg Prize in 2010.
Setting: Helsinki (Finland)
Original title: Ihmisen osa
Year of publication: 2009
Nr of pages: 256
