Muistojenlukija
(The Summer of Swallows) Book not yet available in English
Summary:
16-year-old Kiuru has a secret power: she can read other people’s memories. Kiuru’s crush Samuel is also special, as he can read minds. Kiuru meets other youth like them, when she accidently steals a memory of an unknown boy. The boy comes back to her in a dream and gives her instructions to meet him. They meet at a house called Shangri-La, where the boy and others like him live. Dai can create dreams, Bollywood can control senses and Nelu can affect feelings. Soon a mysterious organisation gets interested in their powers. The Summer of Swallows starts a The Bird Circle -trilogy.
Edited by: Lastenkirjainstituutti
Comment:
Romani-descent Kiuru is the protagonist of this urban fantasy. Her mother is of Romani origin but she is detached from her family and their culture. Kiuru has learned about Romani customs and traditions, even though she is not in contact with her mother’s family. People from different backgrounds and communities meet each other in an occupied house, Shangri-La. At the house Kiuru befriends two Romani brothers and Bollywood, who is of Indian origin and genderqueer. The house is home to a variety of homeless people: anarchists, hippies and refugees from Africa, Iraq and Afghanistan, each in their own communities. The novel opens up a view into the lives of undocumented migrants living in Finland through the means of fantasy.