"Kertomuksia I" by Josefina Wettergrund is a collection of short stories written in the late 19th century. The tales skewer everyday vanity and thrift with warm, witty satire, focusing on middle-class domestic life and romantic illusions. Early standouts feature the penny-pinching Aunt Sofie-Beate and, in a separate tale, the calculating Serafia Mese, her marriage-minded daughter Lukretia, and their kind, capable cousin Frida. The opening of Kertomuksia I first follows Aunt Sofie-Beate, who
vows to “have some fun” on May Day, only to suffer a farcical carriage fiasco and a mortifying Stockholm visit where she overhears her chic hosts mocking her; she confronts them, departs in dignity, and returns home chastened yet kinder to her niece. The next story begins with Serafia plotting a seaside spa campaign to secure a husband for the aging Lukretia, while the good-natured Captain Fabian and industrious Frida keep house. At the spa, the flashy von Stehlen flatters Lukretia with flowers and flowery talk, stoking marriage hopes, as his “majorska” cousin circulates alongside. Meanwhile back home, Fabian leases the farm to the honorable Lieutenant Roos, who quietly falls for Frida and wins her promise, setting up a sharp contrast between sincere affection and glittering pretension. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
"Kerrankin pitää saada huvitella" -- Viimeinen yritys -- Ensimmäiset hääni -- Omituiset vihkiäiset -- Oikean aviomiehen esikuva -- Ylioppilasmamma -- Mitä hattu saattaa maksaa -- Eräs juhannus-aatto Bleking'issä -- Ensimmäinen ja viimeinen kerta (Kaksi muistelmaa Topeliuksesta).
Credits
Tuula Temonen
Reading Level
Reading ease score: 38.7 (College-level). Difficult to read.
