SFHS Bookclub – For Members Only
Books Without Borders
Our aim is to bring our members together and introduce them to books that explore Swedish-Finn heritage, helping us better understand our shared history and our connection to Finland.
The Book Club meets 3 times a year via Zoom and features works by both Finnish and U.S.-based authors. To participate members must enroll for each separate book club event. The Book Club is a collaborative initiative between the Swedish Finn Historical Society and Svensk-Österbottniska Samfundet.
Discover the book selected for our next Book Club session and register to join the discussion.
Deep River
This time we dive into Deep River by Karl Marlantes, a sweeping historical novel that follows three Finnish siblings who immigrate to the Pacific Northwest in the early 20th century.
The Book Club will be held on March 25, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. PT. Please remember to register in advance, as participation via Zoom is limited to ensure meaningful discussion. The registration deadline is March 4. You’ll find the registration form at the end of this page.
About the book
Deep River by Karl Marlantes. This rich historical epic unfolds through the eyes of three Finnish siblings who immigrate to America from Russian-occupied Finland. The three settle in the Pacific Northwest near the banks of Columbia River during the early decades of the 20th century. The author provides vivid imagery and fascinating details of harsh and demanding work and conditions in the logging camps and fishing industry, conditions which set the stage for the emerging American labor movement. Themes of God, materialism, and idealism evolve as we learn how each sibling pursues the American Dream. For those who are interested in the Finnish immigrant experience this is a great read about “sisu” at its finest.
About the Author
Karl Marlantes is an American author and Vietnam War veteran. He grew up in a small town in Oregon and fished commercially with his grandfather as a teenager. His inspiration for Deep River was his Finnish grandmother’s life and her connection to the Columbia River.
Points to Consider While Reading
This book is terrific, but it’s a long one! You may want to start soon to be able to better add to our discussion.
Think about the following as you read:
- How are the siblings different and what does each provide to the story?
- What challenges do the immigrant brothers experience; does that seem true of today’s immigrant experience?
- Did you learn new information about lives of Europeans who settled the American Pacific Northwest?
- Could you relate the story of the Koski siblings to that of your own ancestors’ immigration?
A Project Connect Collaboration
Project Connect is a cooperative venture between the Swedish Finn Historical Society and Svensk-Österbottniska Samfundet, two societies dedicated to preserving, celebrating and contributing to the cultural heritage of Swedish Finns in Finland and across the globe.
Read more about SFHS and Svensk-Österbottniska Samfundet
Pre-register and join via Zoom
The deadline for registration is March 4th.
Join us on the Zoom platform from your part of the globe for our Books Without Borders Book Club. Wednesday, March 25, 2026 at 10 a.m. PT, noon CT, 1 p.m. ET, 8 p.m. EET.
Remember to register in advance because the space is limited to provide opportunities for discussion in Zoom platform.
Please note that recordings and images taken during the Book Club will be uploaded to our website. To comply with U.S. and EU privacy laws, participants are required to provide a signed photo/video release authorization as part of the registration.
