Abstract

Seven Against the Law

This article literally appraises the book "Seven Brothers," by Alexis Kivi. The book was translated by Alex Matson. Sixty years ago Alexis Kivi's "Seven Brothers" burgeoned on the Finnish branch of the great world tree of letters, but only recently has it been offered as Finland's ambassadorial gift to the nations. Within the last few years it has been published in Swedish, German, French, and, finally, English translations, and before long these seven lusty brothers of Finland will be known to other readers of other languages. A book thoroughly native to its soil, steeped to richness in native folk-lore and legend and customs, which at the same time strikes the native note in other soils, makes for racial understanding and a sense of racial kinship of which we cannot have too much, and of which we have unfortunately all too little.