Valdis Rūmnieks’ novel about the poet Jānis Sudrabkalns has been published

Historical and biographical novels, created by the writer Valdis Rūmnieks in collaboration with the writer and director Andrejs Migls, have been appreciated by both readers and critics for more than ten years. Among these novels are works Chuck (2010) about the prominent Latvian poet, Viestura sword (2012) on the ancient Latvian link Viesturs, Three stars (2013) about the sculptor Kārlis Zāls. Now a novel is gathered for these works, which Valdis Rūmnieks has already written without a co-author – Silver, which tells about the life of the Latvian poet Jānis Sudrabkalns.

It is interesting to note that in two of the above-mentioned works the image of Sudrabkalns was already episodically included, as well as documentary evidence of the poet’s late years ‘life is highlighted in Valdis Rūmnieks’ memoir book Between Mežaparks and Murjāņi (2018). With a novel Silver publishing Publishing Zvaigzne ABC celebrates the writer’s 70th anniversary.

Silver is a work in which, for the first time in Latvian literature, at the same time extensive biographical material and a very personal view of Jānis Sudrabkalns’ unusual, talented and tragic personality are included. The author traces the course of the writer both in the period before the Second World War, when the poet is one of the brightest and most original Latvian lyricists, and in the post-war years, when Sudrabkalns breaks under the pressure of the regime and, driven by fear, becomes a “court poet”.

The writer’s interest in Jānis Sudrabkalns was first aroused by personal acquaintance. The author’s parents’ family lived in Mežaparks for more than twenty years next to the poet, and thus the writer has acquired a lot of direct, unique material, which is also reflected in the novel. Silver – The author’s memories include both everyday curiosities and significant and dramatic episodes. The fact that currently there is an increased interest among readers in the biographies of Latvian writers was also important in the creation of the novel, and the personalities of the authors who wrote during the Soviet years also deserve wider coverage. Valdis Rūmnieks admits that calls to write a novel about Jānis Sudrabkalns have been repeatedly expressed by both readers and library and school staff.

The novel covers the entire life of the poet from childhood to the tragic end of life, thus providing a broad view not only of the personality of Sudrabkalns, but also of the landscape of Latvian literature in the 20th century in general. Thus, it is expected that Silver will be a valuable and engaging reading material both for those who are interested in the history of Latvian literature and culture, and for those who appreciate biographical literature in general.

An e-book is also available.

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