Educated at Kuopio and the University of Helsinki, Aho, whose surname was legally changed from Johannes Bromfeldt in 1907, began writing poetry and undertaking translations into Finnish from his early teens. Leaving university in 1884 without graduating, he took up journalism. His first book Siiken Aikaan Kun Isa Lampun Osti, was published in 1883. In 1884, his first major work, Rautatie (Railway) was published and would become a best-seller. Aho spent some time in Paris as a correspondent and later produced Yksin (1890 - Lonely), which depicted a love affair based in Paris. Aho travelled much in Finland and many of his stories include delightful characters from Finnish folk life. In 1897, he published Panu, a romantic novel set in Karelia, and moved with his wife and family to the Tuusula lake area. From 1893 to 1903, he was on the staff of Uusi Kuvalehti. His most important novel, Juha (Johan), concerning suicide and adultery, was published in 1911. Aho's work began to change after the Finnish Civil War (1917-18), becoming more introspective and impressionistic. Aho was nominated forthe Nobel Prize in Literature. Among his other works are Papin Tytar (1885 - The Clergyman's Daughter), Papin Rouva (1893 - The Clergyman's Wife), Omatunto (1914), Rakkautta (1919) and Muistatko? (1920). |
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