Audio A dark time for Finns recounted in new novel (story audio) Photos "The Darkest Evening" The author More from MPR Finland was a poor country Resources William Durbin's Web site Respond to this story Talk about this story in the MPR News Forum Submit a commentary Help us cover this story

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A dark time for Finns recounted in new novel
by Stephanie Hemphill, Minnesota Public Radio
December 7, 2004

"The Darkest Evening," a novel by Minnesota author William Durbin, tells the story of Finnish-Americans who moved from the Iron Range to the Soviet Union in the 1930s, and ended up as victims of Stalin's brutal regime. (Image courtesy of William Durbin)

Duluth, Minn. — In the early 1930s, Soviet recruiters persuaded thousands of Finnish-Americans from northern Minnesota to move to Stalin's Russia. They thought they were going to build a utopia, but many ended up as Stalin's victims.

	The author

A Minnesota author, William Durbin, has written a new book for youngsters, "The Darkest Evening," which describes the painful episode. Bill Durbin lives near Ely. His earlier historical novels for young people have received regional recognition, including a Minnesota Book Award.

"The Darkest Evening" is the story of a Finnish-American family living on the Iron Range during the Great Depression of the 1930s. The father decides to move the family to Karelia, a part of the Soviet Union near the border with Finland. The story is told from the point of view of Jake, the 12-year-old son.

William Durbin spoke to MPR's Stephanie Hemphill about the book. To hear the interview, choose the audio link the right column.

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