War in Winter

What "winter people" like to say: "It's a dry cold." "You get used to it." "Wear layers." "Any climate is tolerable if you have the right clothing."

But a century ago, many of the materials in cold-weather gear hadn't yet been invented. Most regular folks had to make do with layers and layers of itchy wool.

When the thermometer dips to -35C, it's a stretch to call a walk outdoors with friends "pleasant." Imagine running, hiding, fighting a war when you're cold all the time. When there aren't enough socks in the world to keep your feet warm. When your boots are prized possessions. When it's so cold you can hardly think--just react.

Reading SILENCES: A NOVEL OF THE 1918 FINNISH CIVIL WAR in winter is an excellent reminder of the ever-present discomfort of the first half of the book. Enjoy your windproof jackets, everyone.

Launched!

Sunday afternoon, friends and readers and writers and various Scandihooligans gathered to launch SILENCES: A NOVEL OF THE 1918 FINNISH CIVIL WAR, by Roy Blomstrom.

At the event, Roy talked about his reasons for writing this novel. Look for more of his "about this novel" thoughts in the coming year.

For now, just know that it started with a question to his father about fighting in a war, and his mother's warning to not ask him about it. Here's the conclusion:

"If my father were alive, I would not ask him about it--because it might upset him. That's how silences work, how they erase the past and one generation's best-forgotten memories of it.

"The second generation, however, doesn't have those memories. It's one generation removed from the experience. But it's their--our--job to tell the larger story, to paint a bigger picture, to look for what it meant, to seek an overview. Because they--we--are distant from it.

"And that's why I wrote the book."

Stay tuned for updates about local availability



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Although the launch for SILENCES is also in our rear-view window now, the relevance of books about this and all wars, will never fade. We look forward to telling more stories about SILENCES in 2018. And releasing another title or two. And, someday, sharing a companion novel--or two--to SILENCES.

"Long Live Finland!"

One hundred years ago today, Finland declared its independence from Russia.

The following is a scene from SILENCES: A NOVEL OF THE 1918 FINNISH CIVIL WAR. In December of 1917, government and law enforcement are falling apart as the Great War ravages Europe. A shopkeeper in a small town near Nykarleby is murdered by men who leave a note behind suggesting that the Red Guard, followers of Karl Marx, is responsible. In this scene, Jussi Mantere and several other men meet to discuss establishing a White Guard to help maintain order.

“And today is December sixth,” Norlund, a politician, said nonchalantly. “And in case you haven’t heard, there is now an armistice between Germany and the Bolsheviks.” He waited for the words to take effect, but his audience sat waiting for an explanation. After a moment, he added, “Right now, perhaps even as we sit here, Finland is declaring itself an independent state.” For a moment, no one spoke, then they turned as one toward Emil Almquist, the newspaper editor, for confirmation. “It will be in tomorrow’s Tidning,” Almquist said. “We are no longer a Russian Duchy. We have our country back.” He rose to his feet. “Long live Finland!” The men at the table immediately stood. “Long live Finland!” they shouted in response—all but Jussi, who stood with them but could not speak. His mind was full of thoughts of war. The Reds would think that the countven to them; the Whites would think it was theirs.

From this basic conflict, which Jussi sees so clearly, grows the Finnish Civil War.