Author
Aleksis Kivi
1834-1872
Aleksis Kivi (1834-1872) is a public-domain author available on Rivro. Read free books, explore subjects, and discover related classics.
Books by Aleksis Kivi
Seitsemän veljestä Kertomus
"Seitsemän veljestä" by Aleksis Kivi is a novel published in 1870. Seven unruly brothers clash with authority in their Finnish village and flee to the wilderness to escape the requirement to learn reading for church confirmation. Through years of hard labor, misadventures, and personal struggles in their isolated forest home, they gradually transform from social outcasts into responsible members of society. This groundbreaking work is considered Finland's first significant novel written in Finnish and has achieved the status of a national masterpiece.
Nummisuutarit
"Nummisuutarit" by Aleksis Kivi is a play written in 1864. Greedy cobbler Topias and his wife Martta scheme to marry off their dim-witted son Esko first to claim an inheritance, threatening their foster daughter Jaana's chance at love. Their machinations lead to mistaken deals, brawls, drunken misadventures, and elaborate deceptions. Meanwhile, Jaana's long-lost sailor father returns with plans to help his daughter, setting the stage for comic chaos across Finnish villages and forests.
Runot; Lyhyet kertomukset
"Runot; Lyhyet kertomukset" by Aleksis Kivi is a collection of poems and short stories written during the late 19th century. This work showcases Kivi’s reflections on nature, love, and human emotion, illustrating the beauty and challenges of life through lyrical imagery and rich narratives, while also hinting at folkloric themes. The poems often center around characters in rural settings, embodying themes of longing, loss, and the simplicity of pastoral life. The beginning of the collection introduces several poems that set a tranquil and contemplative tone. In "Unelma," the speaker dreams of returning home to a distant land, evoking feelings of nostalgia and yearning. "Kaunisnumella" presents a scene where a mother’s love for her child is tested as she searches desperately for him in a serene, yet foreboding forest landscape. These pieces exemplify Kivi’s mastery of language, blending personal longing with the expansiveness of the Finnish landscape, and thus serving as a precursor to the emotional depth explored throughout the collection. Through vivid descriptions and relatable characters, Kivi captures the essence of human experiences in a naturalistic framework.
Kullervo
"Kullervo" by Aleksis Kivi is a five-act tragedy written in 1859 and published in 1864. Based on the Kullervo story from the Finnish epic Kalevala, it follows a young man sold into slavery after family feuds. Consumed by social shame and bitterness, Kullervo spreads vengeance and hatred, committing terrible acts including murder and unknowingly seducing his own sister. The play is considered Finland's first Finnish-language tragedy.
Canzio; Selman juonet
"Canzio; Selman juonet" by Aleksis Kivi is a dramatic play likely written in the early 20th century. The narrative revolves around Canzio, a young naval officer, and his intertwined relationships with several characters, including his sister Rachel, his fiancée Mariamne, and others caught in a backdrop of familial love, loyalty, and desire, set against the picturesque yet tumultuous landscape of Italy. At the start of the play, the stage is elegantly set in a region near Canzio’s ancestral castle where the characters are anxiously waiting for his return after a long absence. Rachel and Mariamne express their deep anticipation and worry about Canzio, fearing for his safety amid mentions of pirates and treacherous seas. As they converse, the audience is introduced to the bond between the sister and her brother, alongside the themes of fate and fortune. Canzio does eventually arrive, but his heart is complicated by feelings for another woman, setting the stage for tension and emotional conflict that explores the depths of love and the burdens of duty.
Lea; Margareta
"Lea; Margareta" by Aleksis Kivi is a dramatic play written in the late 19th century. The story unfolds during the time of Christ in Jericho, Palestine, focusing on the lives of several characters intertwined with themes of wealth, moral integrity, love, and societal expectations. The central characters include Sakeus, a wealthy publican, his daughter Lea, and Joas, a Pharisee, who are caught in a web of personal desires and communal pressures. At the start of the play, we are introduced to Sakeus, who is preoccupied with counting his riches, revealing his internal conflict about wealth and morality. He commands his servant Ruben to check on his produce, emphasizing his material concerns. Joas, who enters later, expresses disdain toward Sakeus's profession, yet is motivated by the latter's wealth as he seeks the hand of Lea in marriage. Lea, however, is torn between her father's expectations and her burgeoning feelings for Aram, a poor Sadducee. As tensions rise with the introduction of religious themes, the stage is set for conflicts over love, values, and the influence of a visiting prophet, hinting at profound changes in their lives. This opening scene establishes compelling character dynamics and moral dilemmas that resonate throughout the narrative.
La Botistoj
"La Botistoj" by Aleksis Kivi is a comedy in five acts written in the late 19th century. The narrative centers around the lives of the characters involved in the preparations for a wedding, with a particular focus on Esko, the son of a master shoemaker, and his dealings with various other villagers. Themes of love, rivalry, and social dynamics are likely at the forefront as these characters navigate their relationships and the ensuing comedic situations. The opening of the play introduces Esko and his mother, Marto, as they discuss his upcoming wedding, which sets the stage for conflicts over inheritance and romantic interests. Esko prepares for the celebration while his rivals, including a skilled woodworker named Timoteo, provoke tension and rivalry, revealing a complicated web of relationships in their community. Marto’s authoritative demeanor and her attempts to control the situation underscore the comedic elements, as other characters, such as Janjo and Kriscxjo, contribute to the humorous banter and misunderstandings that characterize village life. The setup hints at a rich tapestry of interactions, highlighting the absurdities often found in matrimonial affairs and the pursuits of social status.
Olviretki Schleusingenissä; Leo ja Liina; Alma
"Olviretki Schleusingenissä; Leo ja Liina; Alma" by Aleksis Kivi is a play written in the summer and fall of 1866. Originally titled "Bavaria's Beer Trip," this comedy follows an 8,000-strong Bavarian military unit engaged in wild drinking, woven together with Timoteus's attempts to court the servant girl Mariana. Though now considered an essential part of Kivi's work, the play faced rejection during his lifetime and wasn't published until 1916, over forty years after his death.
Kihlaus; Yö ja päivä
"Kihlaus; Yö ja päivä" by Aleksis Kivi is a collection of one-act plays written in the early 20th century. This work encapsulates the themes of love, personal conflict, and societal expectations, focusing on the intricacies of relationships in a rural Finnish setting. The plays delve into the emotional landscapes of their characters, revealing the complexities of human connections and the consequences of societal norms. In "Kihlaus," the story revolves around Aapeli, a character preparing for his engagement to Eeva. The dialogue unfolds in a lively setting where Aapeli and his companions navigate their feelings and societal pressures, revealing Eeva's hesitations about leaving her former life with her wealthy employers. The tension between the characters highlights a deeper critique of love and class dynamics, culminating in Aapeli's growing sense of uncertainty about his decision to marry Eeva. Meanwhile, "Yö ja päivä" introduces the families Mannila and Keimo, exploring themes of rivalry and reconciliation as a blind daughter recovers her sight, prompting her family's long-standing feud to be confronted. Through these intertwined narratives, Kivi captures the essence of human emotion and the potential for change amidst entrenched conflicts.
Karkurit
"Karkurit" by Aleksis Kivi is a five-act tragedy written in 1865. Two feuding noble estates face destruction when young lovers Elma and Tyko find themselves caught between family debts and vengeful schemes. Elma must choose between her heart and her father's survival, while the cunning Niilo manipulates everyone to claim both her hand and the estates. Disguises, secrets, and a bitter rivalry between fathers drive the drama toward its deadly confrontation, where honor and deception collide.