A Book of Falsehoods
- 400 pages
- 14 hours of reading
The story of a man who rose from peasant stock to become Estonia's most famous medieval chronicler - The third novel in a historical trilogy by Estonia's most famous writer
Jaan Kross Book order
February 19, 1920 – December 27, 2007
Jaan Kross, Estonia's most renowned and translated author, crafts historical novels centered on the moral dilemmas of his characters. His protagonists, often on the fringes of society, grapple with complex ethical questions across Estonian history. Initially a poet and translator, Kross revitalized Estonian poetry with new directions after his return from Russian labor camps. His prose work progressively approaches contemporary times, drawing from personal experience and a profound engagement with the past.
- 2022
- 2017
A People without a Past
- 432 pages
- 16 hours of reading
The story of a man who rose from peasant stock to become Estonia's most famous medieval chronicler - The second novel in a historical trilogy by Estonia's most famous writer
- 2016
The Ropewalker
- 544 pages
- 20 hours of reading
The first part in an epic historical trilogy - The Estonian answer to Wolf Hall - by the nation's greatest modern writer Jaan Kross's trilogy dramatises the life of the renowned Livonian Chronicler Balthasar Russow, whose greatest work described the effects of the Livonian War on the peasantry of what is now Estonia. Like Hilary Mantel's Thomas Cromwell, Russow is a diamond in the rough, a thoroughly modern man in an Early Modern world, rising from humble origins to greatness through wit and learning alone. As Livonia is used as a political football by the warring powers of Russia, Sweden, Poland and Lithuania, he continues to climb the greasy pole of power and influence. Even as a boy, Russow has the happy knack of being in the right place and saying the right thing at the right time. He is equally at home acting as friend and confidante to his ambitious patron and as champion for his humble rural relatives. Can anything halt his vertiginous rise? Like most young men he is prey to temptations of the flesh . . .
- 2012
Sailing Against the Wind
- 368 pages
- 13 hours of reading
Originally published in Estonian in 1987, this novel explores the life and experiences of its protagonist, Bernhard Schmidt, amidst significant historical and cultural contexts. The narrative delves into themes of identity and resilience, reflecting the complexities of life in Estonia during a transformative period. The book's rich storytelling and character development offer a unique perspective on the region's history, making it a compelling read for those interested in Estonian literature and its historical backdrop.
- 2011
The Conspiracy & Other Stories
- 256 pages
- 9 hours of reading
A young law student who is more often in than out of prison and labour camp during these years like his creator Jaan Kross. Forever carrying a charge of guilt that he has only contributed to his friends' misfortunes, he describes two thwarted attempts at his own dilemma when he can save his life only by sacrificing a friend's.
- 2001
The Czar´s Madman
- 352 pages
- 13 hours of reading
Timo von Bock's release by the Czar from nine years' incarceration does not spell the end of the Baron's troubles: he is confined to his Livonian estate to live under the constant eye of police informers planted among his own household, and is subjected to endless humiliations. It is claimed that he is a madman and in need of 'protection'.
