Turkka Hautala (born 1981) has studied literature as well as film studies in England, Greece, and Finland. He debuted as a writer in the Martti Joenpolvi 2008 Short Story Competition and came in second in the J. H. Erkko Writing Contest the same year.

Turkka Hautala’s first novel The Backwoods showed us his ability to inhabit the skin of an amazing number of characters, and it was nominated for the prestigious Finlandia Prize. It also received the Kalevi Jäntti prize. 

His second novel, The Return reinforced the author’s position as an expert of tragicomical characterisation. It showcases Hautala’s ability to create touching and consolatory prose without sinking into typically Finnish bleakness.

Hautala's newest, The National Book contains short 1-2-page stories that are like moments frozen in time, yet open up to reveal complete life stories. It describes charming, nostalgic times in a typical Finnish landscape and is coloured with cryptically clever humour. 

Hautala’s hobbies are arts, sports and observation of the universe. He also likes cooking and football. Hautala lives and writes in Helsinki, Finland.

 

 

WORKS

The Backwoods (Salo), 2009

The Return (Paluu), 2011

The National Book (Kansalliskirja), 2012

 

 

Awards and nominations:

Nominated for the Finland Prize (The Backwoods)

Kalevi Jäntti Prize for young authors (The Backwoods)

Nominated for Helsingit Sanomat Literature Prize (The Backwoods)

 

 

Artist-in-residence November 2012