Fiction

At first glance, the book’s design appears simple. The black band on the cover both conceals and, almost forcefully, reveals the rugged Ostrobothnian landscape peeking out beneath it. The colourful author’s portrait on the back cover also awaits discovery. Removing the band creates an intriguing undercurrent to the work, which begins to unfold before the reader even starts the text.

An epic challenge for both the designer and the writer. The work combines, borrows, and juxtaposes countless visual languages from the author’s previous works, the depths of the internet, as well as self-published literature. The reader is left wondering about the creation process of the book — how did it come together, and how does it keep itself together?

The mystery of the cover is enchanting. From the midnight blue cover, a chained piece of nature emerges, captured in the form of a nostalgic herbarium plant. The plant takes centre stage as a symbol, leaving typography in a supporting role. The silky cover material elegantly evokes the era of the story. The thoughtfully chosen colour scheme and the balanced page layout create a beautiful and captivating book.

Combining drama, essays, and archival sources, this softcover book excels in its simplicity. The typographic design and use of space create a calm, immersive environment that a polyphonic text truly requires. The front flap, which opens over the spine, creates interesting connections between materials and eras.