The Tongue of Fire

Feliks onnellinen

One of the best religious novels in the history of Finnish literature.

Shy office clerk Felix Tienhaara has recently become a Messenger of God. But his new position comes with a painful task: every day he must confront a stranger with the words “The Lord is looking for you. If you will him to do so, He will forgive your sins.”

This unusual task leads Felix to meet people from all walks of life on the streets of Helsinki, as well as allowing him to face his own internal struggles with guilt and forgiveness. Even when Felix gets tired of his mission, he cannot give it up and face the prospect of returning to life as an office clerk. 

The Tongue of Fire explores the problems of religion in a modern world. It’s as biting as it is entertaining.

Mika Waltari (1908-1979) is the most popular 20th century Finnish writer who is best known for his magnus opus The Egyptian. Over a career that spanned five decades, Waltari published well over 100 works, of which 200 translations have been made. His works include at least 30 novels, 20 plays and 15 novellas, as well as short stories, poems, screenplays and essays. In 1957 he was appointed to the Academy of Finland, having previously won the state literature award five times. Waltari’s works have been translated into over 40 languages.

Rights sold

Croatian (A3DATA)*
English (G. P. Putnam’s Sons)*
Estonian (Varrak)
German (Paul Neff Verlag)
Hungarian (Valo-Art Bt)
Slovenian (A3DATA)
Spanish (Plaza & Janés)
Swedish (Wahlström & Widstrand)
*rights reverted