Riku Korhonen
Finland
Riku Korhonen made his literary debut in 2003 and soon established himself as one of the central Finnish writers. He writes about serious and important subjects, in a humorous style that brings his narrative skills to the fore. Before becoming a full-time writer and columnist, he worked as a high school teacher and creative writing lecturer at the University of Turku. His debut novel, "The Pessimistic View of Europe" won the prestigious Helsingin Sanamat Literary Award. The novel has been adapted into a play by the Turku City Theatre. Korhonen's second novel made him one of the leading writers of his generation, winning the Kalevi Yanti award for young authors. Korhonen regularly writes political, socially engaged columns.
Medical Novel
Love heals. But sometimes medical errors happen.
"Medical Novel" is a masterful depiction of love, death and politics! A book about drugs, sex, death and politics inspired by two like-minded individuals living on the edge of a makeshift world that is the product of a world in great trouble. The end of summer 2003 is hot and intense, both meteorologically and politically. In Iraq, Western powers promise to bring democracy and capitalism to the country. Far from these battles, in a seaside town in Northern Europe, young university researcher Niklas spends a lot of time drinking and caring for his girlfriend Ina, whose father is dying of cancer. One night Niklas experiences a vision that changes him and believes he has found the cure for his girlfriend's worries. The "Medical Novel" describes diseases and their possible causes. Erection in a slaughterhouse, a metaphysical adventure!
As a writer and humanist, Korhonen has an empathic need to understand man. "Medical novel" is a delicious parody of the phenomena of our time. Korhonen presents us with a humorous imitation of a romantic novel.
Winner of the European Union Prize for Literature in 2010.