Synopsis

Rights sold: Latvian

The giant Big Toell – an ancient Estonian hero – is a quiet and hard-working man. He goes around doing chores on his home island with his wife Piret and their horse, living an untroubled life. Blissful days go by as they farm the land and help their fellow Estonians. Every day when Big Toell goes home, he eats his fill of Piret’s cooking and lies down to rest for the night. But one day, the devil Vanapagan, who constantly stirs trouble, shows up on the island. When enemies also invade the island, Suur Toell really has his work cut out for him.

The tale of Big Toell has fascinated many an Estonian writer. Andrus Kivirähk’s version of the story is the newest, and also the wittiest of these efforts to recount the hero’s adventures. The book’s strong and vividly colourful illustrations are based on a 1980 animated film made by the famed Estonian painter Jüri Arrak.