Tiina Laanem

Tiina Laanem (1974) is an Estonian prose writer, dramatist and publisher. Laanem’s fiction debut, Väikesed vanamehed written in the key of psychological realism (2007), won the novel competition of the Estonian Novel Society. Laanem’s third novel, Pildilt kukkujad (2016), which rolls develops in the upheavals of Estonia’s recent history, won the  A. H. Tammsaare Literary Prize. After Pildilt kukkujad, Laanem’s expanded her work to include children’s literature – to date, she has published as many as five children’s books. The most recent of these, Liisu laseb jalga, sees its 12-year-old title character, who lives between Võru and Tallinn, decide to free herself from the chaotic will of adults, which is beyond Liisu’s control, and seek out her grandmother, who recently moved to Turku, Finland. However, Liisu’s odyssey extends beyond physical space – she is leaving childhood behind and moves straight towards adulthood.