J. S. Meresmaa: Akanvirta short stories

Akanvirta means a countercurrent, an eddy, but the literal meaning of the Finnish word is Crone's Stream.

"Her bones felt as light as the air they longed for beneath them."

Akanvirta celebrates J.S. Meresmaa's 10th anniversary as an author with many acclaimed short stories as well as new, previously unpublished ones. In these fourteen dark, feminist, and powerful stories, girls and women of all ages love, rebel, fear, and grieve—but most of all, they take their fates into their own hands. Some of the stories have happy endings, some do not—but every ending leaves a lasting impression.

Length: 50 000 words in original Finnish

Praise for Akanvirta:

"If these short stories were translated into English, I'd know what to vote for in Hugo Awards."

- Raija P

"Akanvirta is composed of stunningly beautiful prose and fierce, sometimes shocking stories that blaze gentle power."

- Maija Nyström, Bookstagram

"This short story collection is a perfect match with Carmen Maria Machado's Her Body and Other Parties. They share the same dark vibes, a touch of magic that disrupts everyday life, and a cast of women and queer characters."

- Kirjavin, Bookstagram

Sample short stories:

"Born from Her Blood" is one of the collection's previously unpublished short stories. It was written simultaneously in both Finnish and English by the author.

"Forever as Always"

translated by J. Robert Tupasela

"The Heart That Beats In a Dream"

translated by Greta Katz

"Tears for the Sea"

translated by Greta Katz