Discovering Hope in Dystopia: A Review of Korento by Anne-Maija Aalto
Have you ever picked up a book that felt like it was speaking directly to your soul? That was my experience with Korento by Anne-Maija Aalto. As soon as I opened its pages, I found myself transported to a future world—one where the remnants of our reality are woven together with stark new threads of despair and resilience. It’s not just the dystopian setting that captivated me; it was the heart-wrenching journey of its characters and the poignant themes that resonate so deeply in today’s world.
Set against a backdrop of climate catastrophe and societal upheaval, Korento introduces us to Satomi, a relatively powerless outsider living in an internment village on a small island—a stark remnant of what was once Japan. As we navigate Satomi’s life, we get a front-row seat to the brutal realities that define her existence: a world of restrictions, lost freedoms, and the haunting consequences of socioeconomic collapse. The East Trade Union rules this new order, and the once vibrant culture lies stifled under layers of oppression.
What struck me most was Satomi’s enduring bond with her best friend, Mai. Their friendship offers a glimmer of hope in an otherwise bleak narrative. However, when the commander Rafikov sets his sights on Mai, declaring her as his "Nymfi," the psychological stakes skyrocket. Satomi’s heart-wrenching sense of loss becomes palpable, and we, as readers, feel the weight of that despair too. In a world where survival often feels like a concession of humanity, Aalto brilliantly captures the struggle between compliance and rebellion.
Aalto’s writing style is both haunting and beautifully lyrical, immersing us in a world that is both terrifying and tragically familiar. The pacing perfectly balances descriptive passages with moments of high tension, making it difficult to put the book down. Lines like, "All is well, is the worst of lies," linger long after the page is turned, as they resonate with the reader’s understanding of denial in the face of oppression.
While Korento is marketed toward young readers, I found it more aligned with the young adult and adult market. The themes of systemic violence and the loss of autonomy may be quite heavy for younger audiences, despite the protagonists’ youth. However, for those enthusiasts of dystopian fiction, this book stands shoulder-to-shoulder with luminaries like Emmi Itäranta’s Teemestarin kirja, echoing the struggles of marginalized voices in a hauntingly immersive landscape.
Ultimately, reading Korento was both an enlightening and unsettling experience. Aalto’s narrative challenges us to reflect on our world while inviting us to maintain hope amid darkness. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone looking to explore the nuances of human resilience in the face of tyranny. It’s a thought-provoking read that lingers in the mind, making you question the societal constructs around you, and it certainly has secured a spot on my must-read list for the year. I can’t wait to dive into its sequel, Mistä valo pääsee sisään.
If you’re in the mood for a book that combines insightful reflections on society with deep emotional storytelling, then Korento is a journey worth taking.