tinnemaes's review against another edition
2.0
I really liked the first stories, especially the ones that I agreed with from my exchange week in Finland. But in the end it felt repetitive... It's an okay book, but I wouldn't reccomend it for reading but as a souvenir!
rankkaapina's review against another edition
5.0
I bought this last year (I think) when I was in Finland. I'm not sure if my stars are partly homesickness, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Well, I've enjoyed Very Finnish Problems online for a long time, so maybe this is not so surprising. I like it how Willans manages to still surprise me with the things he picks from Finland to talk about. Things that to me are so normal, but some of them I've realized are maybe not if you come from another country. This having noticed since I live abroad myself.
Since I'm going to Finland for Christmas with my American boyfriend, I think I need to have him read at least some of these... Just to be prepared :)
Since I'm going to Finland for Christmas with my American boyfriend, I think I need to have him read at least some of these... Just to be prepared :)
mrdaisybates's review against another edition
5.0
Really pleasurable (and easy) read. I'd highly recommend it for Foreigners who want to learn more about Finnish culture or for Finnish people that want to laugh at themselves. Or Swedish people that like to make fun of Finnish people. Author is very articulate and the stories are broken into 1-3 page sections.
katiecatbooks's review against another edition
2.0
Sarcastic. Biased. Wrong target audience.
Story: Joel Willans is a brit who has lived in Finland for 15 years. In this book he writes 10 examples of Finland culture misunderstood for foreigners. It's intention is to be a humorous guide to those just moved to Finland, are interested in visiting Finland, or who know nothing of Finland.
Language: Sarcastic. The author uses a sarcastic wit to discuss all topics, regardless of how factual or not they may be. To someone who has lived in Finland awhile, the lines between fact and humor may be clear, but to those unfamiliar with the country, it may give off the wrong impression about many of things great in the country.
Characters: The author is British and the book has a strong British bias, comparing Finland and the UK throughout the whole book. While readers from the UK may enjoy the book, readers from around the rest of the world might prefer the book to be more objective, making the readership more inclusive.
I am an immigrant and have lived in Finland over 7 years as of this post. This book is marketed and written as a humor book about Finland, when it really contains some good material to be a good travel book that happens to have humor. That being said, I didn't get on with the sarcastic tone throughout the whole book. The UK bias got old very quickly. And I feel like the target audience was wrong. Not very useful to tourists or those interested in reading about Finland, this book would be better off in the hands of native Finns to gain a perspective of an immigrant to their country.
In addition, I went to a literary fair where the author was speaking about the sequel to this book. He went on to say how to tried to learn the Finnish language when he first moved here but gave up "because it was too hard." What qualifications does someone have to write a cultural book about a country when they don't even speak the language? Aivan uskomatonta ja harmi, kun hän ei halua edes yritää oppimaan suomen kieltä. Miten joku voi ymmärtää maan kulttuuri kun hän ei osaa puhua? 2/5
Story: Joel Willans is a brit who has lived in Finland for 15 years. In this book he writes 10 examples of Finland culture misunderstood for foreigners. It's intention is to be a humorous guide to those just moved to Finland, are interested in visiting Finland, or who know nothing of Finland.
Language: Sarcastic. The author uses a sarcastic wit to discuss all topics, regardless of how factual or not they may be. To someone who has lived in Finland awhile, the lines between fact and humor may be clear, but to those unfamiliar with the country, it may give off the wrong impression about many of things great in the country.
Characters: The author is British and the book has a strong British bias, comparing Finland and the UK throughout the whole book. While readers from the UK may enjoy the book, readers from around the rest of the world might prefer the book to be more objective, making the readership more inclusive.
I am an immigrant and have lived in Finland over 7 years as of this post. This book is marketed and written as a humor book about Finland, when it really contains some good material to be a good travel book that happens to have humor. That being said, I didn't get on with the sarcastic tone throughout the whole book. The UK bias got old very quickly. And I feel like the target audience was wrong. Not very useful to tourists or those interested in reading about Finland, this book would be better off in the hands of native Finns to gain a perspective of an immigrant to their country.
In addition, I went to a literary fair where the author was speaking about the sequel to this book. He went on to say how to tried to learn the Finnish language when he first moved here but gave up "because it was too hard." What qualifications does someone have to write a cultural book about a country when they don't even speak the language? Aivan uskomatonta ja harmi, kun hän ei halua edes yritää oppimaan suomen kieltä. Miten joku voi ymmärtää maan kulttuuri kun hän ei osaa puhua? 2/5
heart1lly's review against another edition
5.0
I bought this book at the Helsinki airport, which capped a very impressive trip to the country. I was there for almost a month and I wish I never had to leave. This is written entirely from a Brit ex-pat's perspective, so it's just that: his perspective. It's probably by NO means a definitive account of how things always are in Finland, or how the natives are. That would be generalizing. But from what I surmised from my trip and from the Finns I've interacted with have told me, it's pretty damn accurate.
It's also very funny, and you should follow the instagram account for this book, too.
It's also very funny, and you should follow the instagram account for this book, too.
heart1lly's review
5.0
I bought this book at the Helsinki airport, which capped a very impressive trip to the country. I was there for almost a month and I wish I never had to leave. This is written entirely from a Brit ex-pat's perspective, so it's just that: his perspective. It's probably by NO means a definitive account of how things always are in Finland, or how the natives are. That would be generalizing. But from what I surmised from my trip and from the Finns I've interacted with have told me, it's pretty damn accurate.
It's also very funny, and you should follow the instagram account for this book, too.
It's also very funny, and you should follow the instagram account for this book, too.
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