Kalle Päätalo
Kaarlo (Kalle) Alvar Päätalo (11 November 1919 – 20 November 2000) was a Finnish novelist, the most popular Finnish writer in the 20th century. His Iijoki series, comprising 26 novels, is one of the longest autobiographical works ever written. Biography Päätalo was born and spent his childhood in the village of Jokijärvi in Taivalkoski. Kalle was the second oldest of eight children. Before Him, Toivo was born, but he died as a baby. After Kalle, another son and five girls were born into the family. The oldest sister was Martta Aili (later Siljola, Keskisimonen and Lohilahti, 1922–1974). The next sibling was Brother Manne (born January 1, 1925), he died as a victim of a stabbing on September 2, 1947. After Manne, the family welcomed four girls: Kaarina, Edith, Terttu and Aune. Päätalo was born in Taivalkoski, Province of Oulu, into poor circumstances. His father, a lumberjack, suffered from periodical mental disorders, and Kalle had to maintain his family from the age of 14 in his father's profession. At the same time, he dreamed about becoming a writer and read avidly, being much influenced by Jack London's Martin Eden and Mika Waltari's guidebook for aspiring writers. His war service in Winter