I ordered this softcover after reading a plot summary - it's set on Michigan's upper peninsula and deals with someone who might be part wizard or just part mad, and a friend who's having troubles. So of course they set out on a voyage back to Finland...

Or at least that's the plan, but life (and the weather, and the highly dangerous waters of Lake Superior) tend to get in the way. There are some heart-wrenching scenes involving Paavo, his wife, and his adopted son, as they each try to learn how to live together - and Raako, the confirmed bachelor and possible Lap wizard, struggles with maintaining his friendship with Paavo while seeing how Paavo's domestic life is going.

At times the story skips around without explicit warning, and I found myself doubling back on the pages to be sure I hadn't missed something, but overall it was a very atmospheric look at an insular community living in a wild, often dangerous, frequently beautiful place.

I left this book in the Little Free Library; hope someone enjoys it!

[See other recent releases in NH here.]

*** Released for the 2019 Wine+Food release challenge. ***

*** Released for the 2019 Oh the Places We Can Go release challenge. ***