Book details
The Kalevala
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Metadata
- Gutenberg ID
- —
- Title
- The Kalevala
- Language
- en
- Book source
- Global Grey
- Description max 80 words
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The Kalevala is a classic Finnish mythological epic drawn from ancient folklore, featuring legendary heroes, magical quests, creation myths, and the cultural traditions of the Nordic world. This edition offers a translation of the national epic, introducing readers to a universe governed by nature spirits and ancient deities.
- Summary up to 500 words
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The Kalevala, compiled by Elias Lönnrot from ancient Finnish oral traditions, stands as the national epic of Finland. The narrative unfolds through a series of 'runes' or songs, weaving together the lives of three primary heroes: Wainamoinen, Ilmarinen, and Lemminkainen. The story begins with the creation of the world by Ilmatar, daughter of the air, and the birth of Wainamoinen from the sea. The central plot revolves around the forging of the Sampo, a magical artifact of immense power that brings prosperity to the land. Its creation by the master smith Ilmarinen sparks a conflict with Louhi, the hostess of the Northland, who steals it. The heroes embark on perilous journeys to retrieve the Sampo, facing trials involving the theft of the sun and moon, battles with frost-fiends, and encounters with various supernatural beings. Alongside these quests, the epic explores themes of fate, the harshness of nature, and the complexities of social bonds, particularly the sorrow of leaving one's home for marriage. The narrative also includes the tragic tale of Kullervo, an outcast hero whose life is marked by betrayal and violence. Through vivid imagery and a unique linguistic style reflecting the Finnish language's musicality and connection to nature, the Kalevala preserves the spiritual and cultural heritage of the Finnish people, blending pagan mythology with early Christian influences.
- LLM editorial rating
- 4.2/5
- Download URL
- https://www.globalgreyebooks.com/ebooks2/elias-lonnrot_kalevala.epub
- Local file path
-
data/epubs/url-5fc221de07eddbba.epub - Downloaded at
- 2026-06-30 09:22 UTC
People
Authors
- Elias Lönnrot
Classification
Categories
No categories stored.