The book "Carrying Linda's Stones"

Perhaps my biggest undertaking so far has been the book „Carrying Linda’s Stones: An Anthology of Estonian Women’s Life Stories.“  The project surfaced unexpectedly. 

In the latter part of 1998, almost a year after the move to Estonia, I decided that I could become involved with civil society building.  The renovation of the 1997 purchased apartment in total disrepair – the location was of paramount importance, and at the time practically all housing built during the Soviet occupation, or for that matter, all that had been built earlier, was in need of renovation – was completed. 

I live about a block from the National Library and I heard that the book „Naised suudavad“ (Women Can Do) was being presented at the library by the political party „Möödukad“ (now Social Democrat) which I had recently joined.  The book had been translated from the Norwegian with Norwegian funding; Ambassador Lie and his wife were present.  The book presentation was followed by refreshments and the customary socializing during which I met the ambassador’s wife, Suzanne.  When she asked me what I was doing in Estonia, I replied that I’ve come to volunteer in civil society building. 

Suzanne invited me to volunteer at the Estonian Women’s Studies and Resource Centre which she and Eda Sepp, an Estonian-Canadian, had helped to found. Sometime before Christmas I went to the Centre and started going there regularly.  Usually Suzanne and I ate lunch at the university’s cafeteria (the Centre is located at Tallinn University, formerly named Tallinn Pedagogical University).  In such cases where people are thrown together from different parts of the world, as was the case with Suzanne and me, the discussions inevitable include getting to know each other.  I told Suzanne that before leaving the States I had written a chronicle of our family’s journey and rather than my talking about my background, she could read that chronicle.  She agreed. 

After reading the chronicle, Suzanne said to me „You know, your mother’s story made me think that we should write a book containing Estonian women’s life stories from the war.“  Suzanne, a sociologist and academician, had co-authored several books and I had had limited experience with book-writing; her suggestion appeared plausible and I agreed.  That was the beginning of „Carrying Linda’s Stones“ – seven years of challenging work in a society emerging from Soviet occupation!  By the way, it’s not easy to find a title for a book.  We searched and searched until one day Rutt Hinrikus suggested “Carrying Linda’s Stones” and my reaction was “Eurika!”

During those years, we had different partners in the project (the original ones who prevailed to the end were Suzanne, Rutt Hinrikus and I; Lynda Malik came on board when the life stories were ready for editing and the sociological chapters were to be written) and I’m not sure I would have stayed with the project had Suzanne not had the tenacity and perseverance which I’ve found to characterize the people from the American Mid-West.  Suzanne was a Hoosier.

The obstacles we had to overcome were emotionally exhausting.  An example of the last one:  we were finally ready to go to print in 2006, except that we had not yet secured the cover picture.  By way of background, I had told Suzanne circa two years earlier about the classic „Linda carrying stones“ drawing by Kristjan Raud and suggested that it could make a suitable picture for the cover.  She agreed.  I had met the artist’s daughter at an event held at the Kristjan Raud Museum and I contacted her. We met, and I told her of our interest in using her father’s drawing on the book’s cover.  She consented to its use. Actually, she seemed to be pleased that her father’s picture would be displayed in international settings, and although we offered to pay her for the right, she refused to accept payment.

The drawing was in a museum in Tartu and the artist’s daughter cooperated in contacting the museum, giving us permission to have it photographed.  I recruited a photographer in Tartu to take the picture for us.  The publisher thereafter designed the cover with the drawing and a lawyer drafted a contract to be signed by the artist’s daughter and the Women’s Centre.  When it came time to signing the contract in the spring 2006, the daughter telephoned me and said that she refuses to sign it.  I could not believe it!  After two years of cooperation and an amicable relationship, she blocks the publication! 

I phoned Suzanne in Oslo and told her the devastating news.  Her tenacity surfaced.  She asked me to contact Jarõna Ilo, an artist whose work she admired, and ask her to draw the cover picture.  I did.  Jarõna’s immediate reaction was that she is not of equal stature to Kristjan Raud and, therefore, could not provide us with a cover photo.  After some persuasion, she said that she is committed for the summer, but would try to draw us a picture.  She drew the picture, we liked it, and put it on the cover.  

The book was a product of volunteer work by the four persons named on the cover, but we needed money to have it printed and presented.  I turned to friends and family who contributed generously, generally in memory of a significant woman in their lives.

The presentation took place on September 25, 2006 at the Occupations Museum.  It was a well attended event which included four of the life story authors.

The book has been well received and it has had two reprints.  It is generally considered the best English language text on Estonia’s recent history.  It can be purchased at:

amazon.com

Lakeshore Press in New London, NH, contact@lakeshorepressbooks.com

The Nordic Press in NYC, NY, talitus@vabaeestisona.com

Estore in Toronto, Ont., ekn@ca.inter.net

and at the following locations in Tallinn, Estonia:  Occupations Museum, Museum of Estonian History shop, Estonian Women’s Studies and Resource Centre, and the bookstores Rahva raamat, Apollo, Raamatukoi.

All proceeds from the sale go to support the work of the Estonian Women’s Studies and Resource Center, a non-profit organization.