Audiobook13 hours
The Kalevala
Written by Elias Lonnrot and Keith Bosley
Narrated by Keith Bosley
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5/5
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About this audiobook
A compelling insight into the myths and folklore of Finland, The Kalevala is often compared to such epic poems as Homer's Odyssey. Drawing from oral storytelling traditions, Elias Lönnrot made this collection in the 19th-century, and it helped to cement Finnish identity in the turmoil of the 20th-century.
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Reviews for The Kalevala
Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars
4.5/5
10 ratings1 review
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Anyone who appreciates the spoken word will be drawn into this performance of the epic story of mythic Finland.
Poetry was meant to be heard, not read to oneself - I think most would agree with this.
Poetry in other languages though presents a special challenge. That being, of course, how to translate it as verse. How do you capture the meaning and meter simultaneously? This is difficult with modern languages from the same family. Translating 200-year-old Finnish (a Uralic language) into contemporary English (an Indo-European language) must have presented a staggering challenge.
However, Mr. Bosley was not only up to the task of translation but he presents us with a wonderful reading as well. If you love poetry, folklore, and/or myth in any combination, this is audiobook is not to be missed.