Pentti Saarikoski

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Pentti Saarikoski (Impilahti September 2, 1937 – Valamo monastery August 24, 1983) was one of the most important authors in post-World War II Finland. Among his published works are poetry and translations of such classics as James Joyce's Ulysses, J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye and Aristotle's Poetics, as well as contemporary prose such as Saul Bellow's work.

Saarikoski also wrote columns by the pen-name "Nenä" ("Nose"). His columns satirized the church, the army, politics and, all in all, conservatism. In his columns, he parodied the official political jargon of his times in a very effective manner.

Saarikoski was a well-known celebrity in Finland. Both his person and his work was influenced by his heavy use of alcohol. Saarikoski was also a communist enthusiast.

Saarikoski is buried in Heinävesi in the cemetery of the Valamo monastery.

(Sources: the Finnish Wikipedia article)