Literature Minister Mart Juur shared book recommendations in “Prillitoosis,” which include biography, novels, history and poetry.
Hannes Parno “Beta” (Today)
“In Estonian literature you can find something as absurd as the novel “Beta” by Hannes Parmo,” said Mart Juur and added that, since he loves unusual novels, he is very happy with this work. “It could be said that if Paul Kuusberg had decided to write his novel “Südasuvel” in a highly ironic and pseudo-historical way, the result would perhaps have been similar.”
“Or, if we think of Johathan Littell’s novel ‘The Eumenides,’ we might think of it as a parody of the book ‘The Eumenides,’” he said, adding that “Beta” has material and premises for a larger story. “A more industrious author would have written a voluminous work about it entitled “The Incredible Adventures of Salomon Vesipruuli in the Second World War.”
Martina Winkelhofer “The beautiful society. Scandals and intrigues in the royal and imperial houses of Europe” (Today)
Translated by Piret Pääsuke
“If we go into history, and more precisely into that history, when kings and emperors still reigned in Europe and the world was peaceful and safe, we arrive at the beginning of the 20th century, and the German historian Martina Winkelhofer talks about that time,” he said Mart Juur and pointed out that the work could be compared to putting the Kroonika magazine in a refrigerator somewhere and taking it out after 200 years.
“Some forgotten names, some familiar names and everything that happens is funny and hilarious and strangely familiar,” Juur said.
Dörte Hansen “By the Sea” (Today)
Translated by Eve Sooneste
“The sea and literature is one of these topics that is very close to Estonians’ hearts, we love our sea writers very much, we have the Tuulikud brothers, Juhan Smuul, August Mälk and many other authors who wrote about the sea, about the people who live from the sea and sailors who have written excellent works”, said Juur and added that this genre also exists in Germany, represented in this case by the writer Dörte Hansen.
According to the Minister of Literature, “By the Sea” tells a funny, heartfelt and somewhat unbelievable story about living on a German island, whose beach is reached by a whale during a storm. “It’s also a very eco-friendly book, reminding us of Tõnu Ènnepalu Vilsandi’s novels in terms of state and mood.”
Indrek Hargla “Apogriphs of Melchior the Apothecary” (Raudhargla)
“In each section of the book, I considered it my duty and task to present some detective novels, and on this occasion I am happy to inform you that Indrek Hargla’s detective novel “Apocrypha of Melchior the Apothecary” has been published,” said Mart Juur.
“Well, what can I say, Indrek Hargla is an absolute master of his genre.”
Rob Wilkins “Terry Pratchett. Life with Footnotes” (Varrak)
Translated by Allan Eichenbaum
“You might ask what is the point of writing the biography of a person whose life consisted of waking up, writing, then doing a few other things, writing again until the evening and going to sleep,” Juur said and added that Terry Pratchett is considered both a storyteller and a science fiction writer, but above all he was a brilliant exponent of British humour.
“There are so many layers to this book that are worth reading,” he emphasized, adding that it is definitely worth reading for anyone who wants to become a writer. “The recipe for becoming a writer is quite simple, you have to read, write, then reread and then write, write, write.”
Jaan Kross “Be a Ship” (Good Story)
“But let’s finish with the classics, because it’s always nice to go back to the classics,” Juur said and emphasized that this time the classic is Jaan Kross. “At the end of last year a very well performed collection of selections” Olla laev “compiled by her daughter was published.”
2024-01-21 10:49:00
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