Before the Birds by Merja Mäki is one of the finalists for the Des Racines et des Mots – Prix de la littérature de l’exil Award in France.
Delightful news from Paris: Before the Birds by Merja Mäki is one of the finalists for the Des Racines et des Mots – Prix de la littérature de l’exil in its French edition, out with Léduc/Charleston in translation by Fantine Brunel.
The Des Racines et des Mots – Prix de la littérature de l’exil award is given on a yearly basis to a book that focuses on the themes of exile or gives voice to authors in exile. The winner is chosen by a jury of literary and culture professionals and will be announced on December 6th. Before the Birds tells the story of Alli, a young girl from Karelia forced to flee her home when Winter War breaks out in 1939.
Published in January 2022, Before the Birds instantly became the readers’ and reviewers’ favourite: the novel sold over 10,000 in Finland, and foreign rights have so far been sold to 3 territories: France (Leduc); Sweden (Historiska Media); and Ukraine (Astrolabe). Before the Birds is also the winner of the Torch-bearer Prize in 2022.
Author Merja Mäki is a writer and Finnish teacher. She has stated that in her view writing about war’s impact on people is peace work. Her Before the Birds and Wept Another have been revered by readers, and Wept Another has recently won her the Pohjalainen Award.
Congratulations to the author and the publisher, and fingers crossed!