Kallis Mari. Kannata. Sind ei iial - Ustav Mikelsaar

The trilogy is based on the diaries of Professor Herbert Normann. Born in Tartu to a printer, Normann attended the Alexander Gymnasium and the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Tartu; in the interim, he served in the War of Independence as a medical orderly and a feldsher.

Mikelsaar has bestowed this same life story upon Jaagup Vokk, the protagonist of the novels. Furthermore, the author has drawn upon various other documents and research. Through this, he provides an expert depiction of numerous historical figures and events, as well as the milieu of the era. Period-specific detail is added through the habit of Jaagup’s mother reading newspapers aloud: this allows the reader to learn about the news and front-line reports that stirred the public at the time, as well as sensational crimes and accidents.

Estonian Story 19.