Treading Air
Encyclopedia
Treading Air is Jaan Kross
' thirteenth novel. He tells the story of the generation of Estonia
ns with which he grew up. The unhealed wounds of recent Estonian history
has been to the fore in Kross' short stories and in such novels as Wikmani poisid (The Wikman Boys), Mesmeri ring (Mesmer's Ring) and Väljakaevamised (Excavations). It was first translated into English in 2003 by Eric Dickens.
in the 1920s, and ends with his vision of meeting his aged father who fled to the West together with his lover.
The talented Ullo preserves memories of the happy childhood he knew before his father left and leaner years began. Together with his mother, Ullo fights for a better future. Despite minor humiliations, he gets a secondary education in one of Tallinn
's best grammar schools. Soon after, due to his excellent memory and enterprising spirit, he enjoys professional success, rising to a position in the Prime Minister's Office.
But fate lets Ullo down. The Soviet and German occupations deny him the chance of an upstanding career. Ullo joins with the nationalists to work towards the restoration of the Estonian Republic, and passes over an opportunity of escaping to the West offered by a representative of the Vatican. He lives the remainder of his life - some forty years - doing menial work, and making suitcases in a factory.
Treading Air is one of the Kross' most successful books. It is on a par with Keisri hull (The Czar's Madman
), regarded by many until now as Jaan Kross' best novel.
Jaan Kross
-Early life:Born in Tallinn, Estonia, studied Jacob Westholm´s Grammar school, Kross attended the University of Tartu and graduated from its School of Law...
' thirteenth novel. He tells the story of the generation of Estonia
Estonia
Estonia , officially the Republic of Estonia , is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by Lake Peipsi and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea lies...
ns with which he grew up. The unhealed wounds of recent Estonian history
Estonia
Estonia , officially the Republic of Estonia , is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by Lake Peipsi and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea lies...
has been to the fore in Kross' short stories and in such novels as Wikmani poisid (The Wikman Boys), Mesmeri ring (Mesmer's Ring) and Väljakaevamised (Excavations). It was first translated into English in 2003 by Eric Dickens.
Plot introduction
Treading Air is the story of Ullo Paerand. It is narrated partly in the first person from the principal character's point of view, and partly in the voice of Paerand's schoolmate Jaak Sirkel, a character in several of Kross' recent novels. The novel opens with Ullo's reminiscences of a childhood trip to GermanyGermany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
in the 1920s, and ends with his vision of meeting his aged father who fled to the West together with his lover.
The talented Ullo preserves memories of the happy childhood he knew before his father left and leaner years began. Together with his mother, Ullo fights for a better future. Despite minor humiliations, he gets a secondary education in one of Tallinn
Tallinn
Tallinn is the capital and largest city of Estonia. It occupies an area of with a population of 414,940. It is situated on the northern coast of the country, on the banks of the Gulf of Finland, south of Helsinki, east of Stockholm and west of Saint Petersburg. Tallinn's Old Town is in the list...
's best grammar schools. Soon after, due to his excellent memory and enterprising spirit, he enjoys professional success, rising to a position in the Prime Minister's Office.
But fate lets Ullo down. The Soviet and German occupations deny him the chance of an upstanding career. Ullo joins with the nationalists to work towards the restoration of the Estonian Republic, and passes over an opportunity of escaping to the West offered by a representative of the Vatican. He lives the remainder of his life - some forty years - doing menial work, and making suitcases in a factory.
Treading Air is one of the Kross' most successful books. It is on a par with Keisri hull (The Czar's Madman
The Czar's Madman
The Czar's Madman is a 1978 novel by Estonian writer Jaan Kross.-Plot introduction:This historical novel is about a Livonian nobleman, Timotheus von Bock, who has married a peasant girl named Eeva to prove everyone that good men are equal before nature, God and ideals...
), regarded by many until now as Jaan Kross' best novel.