An Exploration of the Human-Nature Relationship Through a Novel; An Interview with Aida Turunen, Author of Sea Beasts

According to the Iran Book News Agency (IBNA), quoting Lit Hub, Finnish author Aida Turunen has drawn global attention to an extinct marine species with her debut novel “Sea Beasts” (translated into English by David Hackston): Steller’s sea cow. This giant creature, first observed in 1741, became completely extinct by 1768. Turunen’s novel, spanning centuries, has been published in at least 28 languages and has inspired actions to protect endangered species.

When asked about her interest in extinct species, Turunen said: “As a child, my mother worked at a nature center on a small island near Helsinki. There I was able to see the life of the coastal ecosystem and the work of natural scientists up close. The Baltic Sea is one of the most polluted seas in the world, and through my mother’s work, I tangibly understood the impact of humans on the surrounding environment.” She added that her first work experience also involved collecting water samples, counting birds, and helping to collect injured birds.

Explaining her educational path, Turunen stated that she was initially torn between literature and natural sciences, but ultimately, with a deep interest in literature and inspired by the novel “The Master and Margarita,” she decided to combine her two passions and explore the relationship between science and literature. She simultaneously realized that she could also narrate this relationship in the form of a story.

The writing of “Sea Beasts” began with a visit in 2016 to the Helsinki Natural History Museum, where Turunen encountered the 25-foot skeleton of a Steller’s sea cow. This encounter led her to the National Library to study all available resources about this species, eventually finding its story, which became the central theme of her novel.

The novel’s title in the Finnish version is derived from the old word Elolliset, which refers to all living beings, its meaning recalling humanity’s place among other creatures. In its English translation, the novel was published as “Beasts of the Sea,” which refers to both the history of science and marine adventure, and implicitly raises a question about the “real monsters” of the story.

Turunen’s novel covers three centuries: from 1741, when the sea cow was documented by a young German botanist, to the 19th century when the creature’s skeleton was transported to Helsinki, and in the mid-20th century, its preparation for museum display. This narrative reflects scientific and historical efforts to preserve the legacies of species and the changing human perspective on the concept of extinction.

Turunen explains the appeal of Steller’s sea cow: “This creature, like the giants of the Ice Age, was gentle, social, and cared for its young, quickly winning everyone’s hearts. Its silent extinction reflects human failures in the relationship with nature.”

The author also points to the cultural connection of this creature with mermaid stories: “Wherever these animals live, there are stories about seafarers being rescued by marine creatures. In the case of Steller’s sea cow, these animals truly saved the ship’s crew from starvation, and this rescue ultimately led to the death of their species.”

During her research, Turunen realized that tracking the skeleton of the sea cow from Alaska to Helsinki was like detective work. She also became acquainted with the Finnish artist Hilda Olsson, who had drawn accurate paintings of the skeleton, and her efforts led to the revival of this artist’s place in history.

The author, now working as a writer-in-residence at the Helsinki Natural History Museum, continues to research this species and the radiocarbon dating process of the skeleton to determine its precise age. She also recalled that writing the novel’s final dedication, about extinct species, was one of the most difficult parts, as during the seven years of writing, about 400 other species also became extinct, most of which remained unknown.

Following the novel’s global publication, public interest in visiting the sea cow’s skeleton increased, and some visitors touching it led the museum to use protective glass. Turunen commented: “One of the recurring themes of the novel is that even our love for nature can lead to its destruction.”

She is now working on her next novel, which revolves around one of the strangest scientific frauds of the 19th century and pursues a fundamental question: What causes trust in knowledge? This project once again explores the complex relationship between humans, science, and the animal world.