"Kalevala, The Land of the Heroes, Volume One" by Elias Lönnrot and W. F. Kirby is a compilation of epic poetry published in the 19th century. Drawn from Finnish, Karelian, and Ingrian folklore, it tells of Earth's creation and the fierce conflicts between the land of Kalevala and Pohjola. At its center lies the Sampo, a mythical wealth-making machine coveted by both sides. This national epic shaped Finnish identity and influenced writers worldwide, including J. R. R. Tolkien. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
These books are free to read. Each is in the public domain in the United States; check your own country's rules before you copy or share one.
