Mait Metsanurk facts for kids
Mait Metsanurk (born Eduard Hubel) was an important Estonian writer. He lived from 1879 to 1957. He was known for leading a style of writing called neo-realism in Estonian literature. This style showed real life as it was.
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Mait Metsanurk's Early Life
Mait Metsanurk was born on November 19, 1879. He was the youngest of eight children. His family were farmers in a place called Metsanuka, near Tartu. This area was part of the Governorate of Livonia back then.
He went to elementary school in Orge. Later, he attended a city school in Tartu where lessons were in Russian. After school, he worked in different jobs. He started as an office clerk. Then he became a schoolteacher. From 1906, he worked as a journalist. Mait Metsanurk is buried in the Metsakalmistu cemetery in Tallinn.
His Writing Career
Mait Metsanurk became well-known as a writer in 1908. His stories showed real life in Estonian towns and the countryside. He often wrote about the differences and problems between social groups. He became one of the most active and popular writers and playwrights of his time.
He is seen as one of the best writers of Estonian neo-realism. He shared this title with another famous writer, A. H. Tammsaare. This was during the time between the two World Wars.
Metsanurk's most famous book is the historical novel Ümera jõel (On the Ümera River). It was published in 1934. This book tells the story of the old Estonians fighting against Danish and German invaders in the 1200s. Besides writing, he also reviewed books and translated works from other languages.
From 1924 to 1925, and again from 1930 to 1936, Metsanurk was the leader of the Estonian Writers' Union. When the Soviet Union took over Estonia, Metsanurk faced difficulties. He was removed from the Writers' Union. However, after the death of Stalin, he was allowed to be a writer again in 1956.
Mait Metsanurk's Literary Works
Mait Metsanurk wrote many books and plays. Here are some of his most important works:
Novels and Stories
- Isamaa õilmed (narrative, Tallinn 1908)
- Vahesaare Villem (novel, Tallinn 1909)
- Jumalalapsed (short stories, Tallinn 1910)
- Orjad (novel, Tallinn 1912)
- Toho-Oja Anton (novella, Tallinn 1916)
- Ennäe inimest! (Novel, 1918)
- Epp (narrative, Tartu 1920)
- Jumalata (narrative, Tallinn 1921)
- Taavet Soovere elu ja surm (novel, 1922)
- Valge pilv (novel, Tartu, 1925)
- Jäljetu haud (novel, Tartu, 1926)
- Viimne päev (short story collection, Tallinn 1927)
- Punane tuul (novel, Tartu, 1928)
- Jutustused ja novellid (stories and novellas, Tartu 1929)
- Fr. Arrast & Pojad (novel, Tartu, 1930)
- Elu murrab sisse (short story collection, Tartu, 1931)
- Taniel heitleb (narrative, Tartu 1932)
- Maine ike (short story collection, Tartu, 1933)
- Mändide all (youth narrative, Tartu, 1933)
- Ümera jõel (novel, Tartu, 1934)
- Soosaare (novel, Tartu, 1936)
- Kutsutud ja seatud (diary novel, Tartu, 1937)
- Tuli tuha all (novel, Tartu, 1939)
- Tee algul. Mälestused I (Memories, Tallinn 1946)
- Suvine pööripäev (novel, Tallinn 1957)
Plays
- Uues korteris (Comedy, Tallinn 1908)
- Vagade elu (Comedy Tartu 1923)
- Kindrali poeg (Drama, Tartu, 1925)
- Talupoja poeg (Drama, Tartu, 1929)
- Mässuvaim ehk Agulirahvas läheb ajalukku (Comedy, Tallinn 1931)
- Haljal oksal (Comedy, Tallinn 1932)
- C. R. Jakobson (Drama, Tartu, 1935)
- Maret elukoolis (Comedy, Tallinn 1938)
