Monika Fagerholm has been awarded the prestigious Runeberg Prize for her novel Eristystila / Kapinoivia naisia (translated as Isolation / Rebellious Women). This marks a significant achievement for the author, who also received the Finlandia Prize in November.
A Historic Win
The Runeberg Prize, worth 20,000 euros, recognizes significant contributions to Finnish literature. Fagerholm is the first author to receive the award twice, having previously won in 1995 for her work Ihanat naiset rannalla (translated as Lovely Women on the Beach). The award committee praised Eristystila / Kapinoivia naisia as a “linguistically rich and multi-layered masterpiece.”
Fagerholm’s prolific career spans over four decades, during which she has garnered numerous accolades, including the Tollander Prize and the Nordic Council Literature Prize. She expressed her surprise at receiving the Runeberg Prize, stating, “This feels incredible. When the novel was finished in August, I didn’t dare to expect anything, as I was quite tired. Now it’s wonderful to notice that it apparently resonates with readers.”
Exploring Societal Shifts Through Fiction
The novel’s protagonist, Alice, is also embarking on a writing career, mirroring Fagerholm’s own journey, though the story is entirely fictional. The narrative is set in the years 1976-1977, a period marked by significant societal events and a distinct intellectual climate. Fagerholm explained that she began working on the book approximately six years ago, feeling a sense that the world was fractured and “broken,” and sought to explore this through the lens of a writer’s perspective.
What’s Next?
Fagerholm is already developing the second installment of the trilogy, set in the 1980s and 1990s. However, she emphasizes her need to avoid pressure while writing, having experienced burnout from previous attempts to meet deadlines. The third part of the trilogy, which will address the present day, is anticipated to be the most challenging, as “everything is changing so rapidly” and “fundamental things are breaking.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Runeberg Prize?
The Runeberg Prize is a literary award worth 20,000 euros, awarded annually in Finland on February 5th, the birthday of national poet Johan Ludvig Runeberg. It is presented by the newspaper Uusimaa, the city of Porvoo, the Finnish Writers’ Union, the Finnish Critics’ Association, and the Swedish Writers’ Association in Finland.
What other awards has Monika Fagerholm won?
Monika Fagerholm has won several awards throughout her career, including the Tollander Prize, the Nordic Council Literature Prize, and the Finlandia Prize in November.
Is this novel part of a series?
Yes, Eristystila / Kapinoivia naisia is the first book in a planned trilogy. The second part is currently in development and will be set in the 1980s and 1990s.
As Fagerholm continues to build this narrative, what role do you believe fiction plays in helping us understand and process periods of societal upheaval?
