Mika Waltari
When it comes to international repute, Mika Waltari's (1908–1979) sole competitor in Finnish literature is the national epic, Kalevala. In Finland too the extensive and variegated production of this master of narrative has maintained its reputation and reading audience nearly half a century after the end of the author's most powerful creative phase. Waltari's books continue to be read by young and old alike, sparking interest among ordinary readers and literary scholars. Waltari's genius emerged early on. Even as a twenty-year-old he was a prominent figure in the Finnish literary movement known as Tulenkantajat (the Flame-bearers), which…