Rural Route Bookstore - The Five Countries

Books about Farm Life, Small Town Life, the Midwest, and Scandinavian-Americans

Featuring the Heartwarming Humor of "Those Lutheran Ladies"

The Winter War                           by William Durbin

When the large Soviet Union invaded tiny Finland in the fall of 1939, the conflict came to be known — in Finland as well as in northern Minnesota and parts of Michigan where Finnish immigrants had recently settled — as The Winter War. Even though this is a novel, the circumstances and methods of warfare are historically accurate. The Finns, who were greatly outnumbered in men, aircraft, guns, and tanks, had several things going for them including determination, perseverance and protecting their homeland. However, the Finns' best allies turned out to be the bitter cold (as low as minus 56 degrees), and their skill at skiing in all kinds of weather when heavy Russian tanks couldn't function.

This 240-page book was written for Young Adults and has won numerous awards in this category, but the book can be appreciated by adults. The story is reminiscent of Skis Against the Atom, an adult book about skiing skill as a secret weapon in Norway during WWII, and of Snow Treasure, a true story from Norway, written for children about their role in secret war efforts. Both of these books are available at Rural Route Bookstore. Click on their titles for more information.

This latest novel by Durbin reveals a twist so amazing it would be a shame to mention it here!

WW-05            Hardcover               $15.99

Misery Bay: & Other Stories from Michigan's Upper Peninsula by Lauri Anderson

Dedicated to the People of Copper Country, (the Keweenaw Peninsula of Upper Michigan), this collection of sometimes bittersweet stories deals with the Finns who settled there — mostly to work as miners — their heroes, survivors against the odds, and their heritage as Finnish-Americans, but also their heritage as "Yooper's" who also represent the unique Copper Country heritage created by these settlers; a lifestyle based on basic humanity, unconscious humility, and individuality.

The rhythm of Anderson's writing (in English) mimics the Finnish language, and he places his stories within a historic context, and states, "Misery Bay is both real and fictional."

FN - 05 Paperback    $12.95

Heikki Heikkinen: & Other Stories of Upper Peninsula Finns by Lauri Angerson

Several stories make up this collection by Lauri Anderson, the chronicler of life among the Finnish Americans of Upper Michigan, but the main story is about Heikki Heikkinen which allows the author to include his unique humor, satire and irony learned from living with "his people."

Heikkinen sees things in black and white. He loves beer, fishing, and growing potatoes. He hates barbeque grills, his arrogant nephew from the big city of Lansing, and all "flatlanders". However, he really dislikes his neighbor, Hilda Maki, and strong opinions on Wal-Mart, K-Mart, people in Florida and even those from Green Bay — even though Heikki has at least been there.

FN - 06 Paperback    $12.95

Elina, Mistress of Laukko (a novel) by Mary Caraker

This Finnish-American novel has three parallel stories running through it: Elina, a country girl who married a wealthy jealous nobleman; Lily, the "writer" of the stories, who has the characteristics of the other two women; and Lily's grandmother. The cover of the book, showing a barn on fire, gives clues to some of the Grandmother's misery. All three women seem to have inherited a weakness for dominating, controlling men and, according to the author, "Love and hate, jealousy and revenge combine to shape the destinies of all three women."

Author Caraker is the granddaughter of Finnish immigrants who settled in Oregon, and she has gained her knowledge of, and interest in, Finnish-Americans from her observations of her relatives and from her early life in Oregon.

FN - 07 Paperback    $12.95

Gift: A Novel of the Upper Peninsula by Joseph Damrell

FN - 08 Paperback    $9.95

Hometown Folks: A Finnish-American Saga by Gerald F. Carlson

FN - 09 Paperback    $12.95

The Fish of Gold: & Other Finnish Folk Tales by Inkeri Vaananen-Jensen, tr.

FN - 10 Paperback    $7.95

Meeting the Neighbors: Sketches of Life on the Northern Prairie by W. Scott Olsen

FN - 11 Paperback    $9.95

The Journal of Otto Peltonen by William Durbin

Part of the "My Name is America" Series. This one has as its subject a Finnish Immigrant from Hibbing Minnesota who arrived in 1905.

FN - 12 Hardcover $10.95

Heath Cobblers (Nummisuutarit) and Kullervo Douglas Robinson, tr.

One book containing two plays. Heath Cobblers, a comedy in five acts, and Kullervo, a tragedy in five acts, were written by the famous Finnish writer and playright, Aleksis Kivi.

FN - 13 Paperback    $14.95

Vilho, Finnish Freedom Fighter by Leslie W. Wisuri

FN - 14 Paperback    $12.95

The Fabulous Family Holomolaiset    by Patricia Eilola

A Minnesota Finnish Family's Oral Tradition

FN - 15 Paperback    $12.95

Finnish Folklore by Leea Virtanen & Thomas DuBois

A thoroughly researched scholarly work about folklore in Finland throughout several generations.

FN - 20 Paperback    $25.00

Order by using the 'Place an Order' form or you may order by phone (800 494-9124). For payment and shipping charges, see 'Place an Order.'

All Caragana Press products are available at wholesale prices to qualified retailers, organizations, churches, schools, and libraries. Call 800 494-9124 for details.

Scandinavian-American and Rural Humor Books