Specific characteristics of the main character in Finnish young adult dystopian literature

The article examines the artistic representation of the protagonist in the popular novel Memory of Water (Teemestarin kirja, 2012) by Finnish author Emmi Itäranta in the context of characterizing a typical hero in young adult dystopian literature. It is worth noting that the novel, tailored for an international readership, has been translated into 20 languages, being categorized as young adult fiction in Finland and an environmental dystopia in Russia. The study assesses the distinctive elements of Finnish young adult dystopian subgenre. Through a comparative analysis, it was revealed that Itäranta’s novel lacks a rebellious hero, as the problem of mankind lies not in the flaws of the political system, but in the unwillingness and inability to interact with nature and use its resources sustainably. The Finnish iteration of dystopia is characterized by the protagonist’s pursuit of truth through unraveling history and an optimistic ending showing the reversibility of the ecological catastrophe.