Tie Selvä: Romaani Nykyajalta, II

''Tie selvä: Romaani nykyajalta, II'' by Arvi Järventaus is a novel written in the late 1920s. The story is set in Finland, likely in the early 20th century, and follows the daily life and inner struggles of Hesse Karlsson, a young man who becomes a clerk at a busy railway junction in rural Etelä-Pohjanmaa. The book explores themes of ambition, disappointment, social class, and the routines and frustrations of provincial life, highlighting both the camaraderie and the stagnation among railway workers and local townsfolk. The opening of the novel introduces the bustling railway hub of Itäsuo and paints a vivid picture of its people and landscape. We quickly meet Hesse Karlsson, whose dreams of an academic future have crumbled, leading him to the pragmatic and sometimes monotonous position of a firewood clerk. The narrative details his relationships with colorful colleagues—ranging from the arrogant Germanophile Hahn and cheerful Krank, to various other railway men and townspeople—each with their quirks and personal baggage. The section delves into the day-to-day realities of the railway office, touches on challenges like dishonesty in business and the dominance of the Swedish language in official matters, and follows Hesse through both routine work and social encounters, culminating in visits to other small stations with an atmosphere mixing camaraderie, boredom, melancholy, and philosophical reflection.