Sofi Oksanen is Finland's most successful and internationally renowned contemporary author. She has received 20 literary awards, including the Finlandia and Nordic Council Literature Prizes. Her works have been translated into over 50 languages and have sold millions of copies worldwide. They have been critically acclaimed everywhere.
Oksanen's novels deal with the recent history of Estonia, the Soviet Union, Ukraine and Finland, as well as themes related to women, war and violence. Human life choices, loyalty and betrayal, inequality and social problems are highlighted in her work.
The female protagonists in Oksanen's works have been praised for how they transform history into a personal experience. Sofi Oksanen has also been praised for her linguistic expressiveness, bold subject choices, and the novels' sharp social analysis.
“Due to her talent and courage, Sofi Oksanen has become one of the symbols of European culture.” – Excerpt from the award criteria for the French Order of Arts et Lettres