Synopsis "The Bear is Born as Woods King"
It is the summer of 1808 and the lives of Lena-Sofia Johansdottir and her family are about to change forever as war sweeps across Swedish-Finland after a Russian invasion. The 700 year marriage of jealous Sweden to Finland is threatened by the new suitors from the east, intent on stealing away the bride. Napoleon has defeated Russia at Austerlitz, Nelson has won the Battle of Trafalgar, the American War of Independence has impacted Europe and Wilberforce is leading the campaign for abolition of the transatlantic slave trade.Against this backdrop of world transformations, little Lena-Sofia, six, befriends a mysterious Swedish soldier, Dirk, and a veteran soldier, Ritva, in that whirlwind summer in sleepy south-western Finland. What is Dirk's secret mission against the foe, which draws in mother, Caisa, and father Johan, culminating in an autumn of betrayal, loss, identity and new beginnings?"As when towards the eve, a summer whirlwind..."J L Runeberg 1835
