Meelis Friedenthal (1973) is an Estonian writer and theologian. He made a powerful entry into Estonia’s literary scene with his debut sci-fi novel Kuldne aeg, which won the third prize at the 2004 novel competition. Friedenthal’s second novel Mesilased transcends genres, a fascinating historical look at life in 17th-century Tartu and Livonia which offers dreamlike visions in the vein of magical realism. It can be considered Friedenthal’s breakthrough: he won the European Union Prize for Literature in 2013. Last year, Friedenthal’s third novel Inglite keel was published, also set in Tartu, oscillating between the last decades of the 17th and 20th centuries. The work centres on alchemy, mysterious watermarks on old manuscripts, young lovers and an ominous bagpiper moving between centuries. The subject matter and the style of the book make for an absorbing read that defies genre boundaries; it can be called an intellectual horror story.