They Know Not What They Do

A neuroscientist named Joe Chayefski returns to his academic work in the United States after spending time in Finland, where he had a relationship that produced a son. Years later, as his career and new American family life reach stability, events from his past begin to surface and disrupt his world. The narrative moves between Joe's current life as a researcher studying behavioral modification and memory, and his earlier experiences in Finland during the 1990s. His scientific work intersects with questions of ethics and corporate influence, while personal complications arise from both his American and Finnish families. Technology, human consciousness, and the intersection of past and present form the core themes of this prize-winning novel. Through the lens of scientific research and family dynamics, the story examines how progress and innovation can lead to unintended consequences in both professional and personal spheres.

Readers note the book's complexity and psychological tension, particularly around themes of technology, surveillance, and family relationships. Finnish and English-speaking audiences connect with the cultural contrasts between America and Finland depicted in the text. Readers praised: - Detailed character development - Scientific and technological accuracy - The building sense of unease throughout - The realistic portrayal of academic life Common criticisms: - Slow pacing in the first third - Multiple narrative threads that some found hard to follow - Abrupt shifts in timeline and perspective - Length (some felt it could be shorter) Ratings: Goodreads: 3.6/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (84 ratings) Kirjavinkit.fi: 4/5 (Finnish site) One reader on Goodreads noted: "The slow burn pays off with a tremendous ending." Another wrote: "Complex themes but sometimes gets lost in its own cleverness." Several Finnish readers mentioned the authentic portrayal of cultural differences.

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🎯 "They Know Not What They Do" won the Finlandia Prize, Finland's most prestigious literary award, in 2014 🌍 The novel explores the intersection of neuroscience and technology through the story of Joe Chayefski, an American neuroscientist whose past in Finland comes back to haunt him ✍️ Author Jussi Valtonen has a background in both literature and psychology, holding degrees in social psychology from the University of Helsinki and creative writing from the University of Texas 🔄 The book's original Finnish title is "He eivät tiedä mitä tekevät," and the English translation was published in 2017 by Oneworld Publications 🎭 The narrative switches between different time periods and perspectives, including those of both Finnish and American characters, reflecting the author's experience living in both countries