Burn My Letters: Tyranny to refuge

Why did Russian police pursue Karl Johan Back at Suez in 1899 as he fled Tsarist occupation of Finland? From a treasure trove of archival letters his great-niece Ruth discovers what propelled this political activist's escape-and why the 'pen-fighter' recluse in the Australian rainforest published under a pen-name. Illustrations, maps, timeline.

Publisher Marketing: Preface by Sandy McCutcheon The Frozen Highway Looking Back - and Forward Wedding in the Hills To a wider world Finding Ancestors Karl Johan The Author The Treasure Trove Once upon a time Questions and Discoveries Dark Days of 1892 School and Youth Group Life in Scandinavia Passive Resistance The Great Address 'Kerstin' Occupation and conscription The Ballot, 1899 The Call-up Crossing the Gulf Sanna Myth Dispelled Leaving Home Karl Johan to England - 1899 The Voyage Suez Canal The Quarry To The Southland Sydney, 1899 Mother Sanna, 1900 Northern New South Wales The Australian Forest Recovery Battling the elements KJ the Settler Loneliness The Lighthouse Anders Hopes Wilhelm arrives in Australia The Snake Anders Back Returns, 1903 The Brothers, 1904-5 KJ Meets Christina; 1908 Highs and Lows Revolution War and Aliens Red Flag Riots Letters Home KJ the Author KJ's Pinnacle The Prince of Wales Visits Timeline Books quoted or consulted Acknowledgements Review Quotes : Absolutely riveting! I couldn't put it down. Ruth Bonetti's lyrical style evokes the saga feeling, bringing the characters to life using a clever technique of magical realism. Her 'conversations' with them are utterly stunning. Sandy McCutcheon Novelist This unique book builds a bridge between Finland and Australia, bringing migrants' struggles to life in poetic, descriptive words. Dr. Elli Heikkilä, Director of Research Migration Institute of Finland An excellent history of a Finnish family's migration to Australia-and contribution as literature. Dr. Olavi Koivukangas AM Professor and Founding Director, Migration Institute of Finland Preface When Ruth Bonetti first described her heritage to me, a journey I share, I was convinced this book must be written. She has shown me drafts during its progression that prove this true. As an author used to reading manuscripts, I was bowled along by this evolving tale. Ruth Bonetti's lyrical style evokes the feeling of a saga. She captures the voice of the Finnish emigrants, drawing on fascinating letters to bring the characters to life with magical realism. Her 'conversations' with the characters are utterly enchanting and an absolute joy. This intriguing story, the historic letters and descriptions of her own journeys to Finland show Ruth's rapport with Finnish ethos, enterprise and a finely tuned sense of its culture. There is much written about migration to America but almost nothing about that to Australia. Ruth Bonetti's book fills a gap. Those who seek their roots will identify with her sense of heritage, passed from generation to generation, even at the opposite ends of the world. Sandy McCutcheon Novelist Awarded Kalevalan 150 -Vuotismitali Helsingissa Kalevalan Paivana 1985 Publisher Marketing :

Format: Paperback | Pages: 220 | Publication Date: 2016-07-18