Akvarelleja Engelin kaupungista is the first novel by Juha Viikilä, who has been previously known as a poet and playwright. The novel also received the Finlandia-award in 2016.

The novel is written in the form of Johann Carl Ludvig Engel's diary, which he writes at night. The story is set between 1816 and 1840 in Helsinki and follows Engel's work at designing and building the city. Engel has been hired by the Tsar to build Helsinki, which is why he has left his home in Berlin along with his family. Engel and his wife yearn to return to Berlin but as the work stretches, they must abandon their original plan of staying for six years.

Viikilä highlights Engel's opinions of the women in his life; his wife and his daughter. As the novel progresses, Engel begins to focus more and more on the inner worlds of his wife and daughter. It seems as if he is jealous of the private lives of the women, while he himself has to constantly present himself in public.

Akvarelleja Engelin kaupungista is filled with lyrical prose, as is to be expected when considering Viikilä's history as a writer. The short diary entries showcase in equal parts the events in the story, Engel's thoughts, as well as his philosophy in life. I really really enjoyed this novel and would highly recommend, and not only because of its inclusion in Finnish literary canon.

-Laura