The miniature novel Helsinkiin by Juhani Aho was published in 1889. A psychological novel about a young man’s stepping into adult life, it also touches the then heated language politics as Finnish was emerging as a language of academia in the bilingual country. Aho (1861 – 1921) was among the first professional writers in Finland. This reading is in Finnish.

Aho’s first novel Rautatie (Railroad), considered one of his main works, is a story of an elderly couple who hear about railroad first time ever and have a hard time imagining carriages with no horses. They eventually get around to trying it out. Juhani Ahon esikoisromaani vuodelta 1884, Rautatie, on kertomus maaseudun ukosta ja akasta, jotka kuulevat naapurikylälle saapuneesta uudesta ihmeestä, ilman hevosia kulkevasta vaunusta, ja päättävät pitkän jahkailun jälkeen lähteä sitä katsomaan.