"I, Sinuhe, the son of Senmut and of his wife Kipa, write this. I do not write it to the glory of the gods in the land of Kem, for I am weary of gods, nor the glory of the Pharaohs, for I am weary of their deeds. I write neither from fear nor from any hope of the future but for myself alone. During my life I have seen, known, and lost too much to be the prey of vain dread; and as for the hope of immortality, I am as weary of that as I am of gods and kings. For my own sake only I write this; and herein I differ from all other writers, past and to come." (from Sinuhe, trans. by Naomi Walford)

Mika Waltari was born in Helsinki as the son of Toimi Armas Waltari, a Lutheran pastor and schoolmaster, and Olga Maria Johansson. Waltari lost his father in 1914 he was five years old, and he grew up in one-parent family with two uncles, the Doctor of Theology Toivo Waltari and the Master of Engineering Jalo Sihtola, whose knowledge of art influenced Waltari's development. His mother worked as a civil service clerk and schooled her three sons. Summers were spent at Kalle Uusitalo's home - he was a railway-track inspector and the male companion of Waltari's mother. During the Finnish Civil War (1917-18) Waltari was in Helsinki, which was reigned by the Red Guards. He later witnessed the victory parade of the White Army in the Spring, when Helsinki was conquered.

Waltari studied at the University of Helsinki theology, but against his parent's wishes, he turned to study philosophy, aesthetics, and literature, receiving his M.A. in 1929. His thesis dealt with the relationship between religion and eroticism and with Paul Morand. As a student Waltari wrote among others for the magazine Ylioppilaslehti, which was edited by Urho Kekkonen. His early literary efforts were religious poems and horror stories. Waltari's fist book, JUMALAA PAOSSA, was a religious story and appeared in 1925. He made in 1927 a journey to Paris, where he wrote at Hôtel de Suède his first novel, SUURI ILLUSIONI (1928, The Great Illusion), which made him the interpreter of the feelings of the new generation. "I yearn for the city, asphalt, the smell of metal-dust and petrol - that nervous longing which, as the evening darkens, wanders the quiet streets," Waltari wrote on the first page. The description of youthful and rebellious Bohemian life in Helsinki was quickly translated into Swedish, Norwegian, and Estonian.

VALTATIET (1928), a collection of poems, written with Olavi Paavolainen, expressed the optimism of the jazz-loving generation. He also became one of the leading figures of 'The Torchbearers', a liberal literary movement, whose members were inspired of Russian and Italian futurism. In the 1930s the group was supplanted by a more resolutely left-wing group, Kiila (The Wedge), but by this time Waltari had already become an ultraconservative. In his stage comedy KURITON SUKUPOLVI (1937) Waltari ridiculed the younger generation. In the short story 'The Parisian tie', Waltari focused on a mid-life crises in the city. "She was a pretty girl and smiled encouragingly, and I had no reason to doubt her, any more than my wife. For this reason I remained gazing at the back of my head in astonishment, in my mind the horrifying sense that I had been tricked. Perhaps it was for that reason that I had enjoyed an additional glass of cognac in the middle of the day. A man needs some cheering when he realises unexpectedly that he has moved from the indeterminate years that follow youth to the calmness of middle age." (trans. by Hildi Hawkins, from Helsinki: a literary companion, 2000)

In the 1930s and 1940s Waltari worked as a journalist and literature critic, writing for several newspapers and magazines, among them Maaseudun Tulevaisuus (1932-42) and Suomen Kuvalehti, the leading illustrated weekly, where he was a subeditor from 1936 to 1938. Between the years 1928 and 1939 Waltari travelled widely in Europe, published travel stories in magazines and the travel book YKSINÄISEN MIEHEN JUNA (1929). In 1931 he married Marjatta Luukkonen. Their daughter Satu also become a writer.

The structure of F.E. Sillanpää's novel People in the Summer Night (1934) influenced Waltari's portrayal of Helsinki, SURUN JA ILON KAUPUNKI (1936), which focused on single day in the life of its characters. Waltari's greatest artistic success before the wars was due to his novel VIERAS MIES TULI TALOON (A Stranger Came to the Farm), which won first prize in a competition in 1937 and was translated into some ten languages. During the Finnish Winter War (1939-1940) and in the following war of 1941-1944 Waltari worked at the governmental information center, and wrote four books. His works about the occupation of the Baltic countries and Soviet espionage, including NEUVOSTOVAKOILUN VARJOSSA (1942), was not reprinted after the peace treaty with the Soviet Union - the work was considered politically inflammable and was removed from the libraries. KAARINA MAUNUNTYTÄR (1942) TANSSI YLI HAUTOJEN (1944) were historical novel set in the times of Eric XIV of Sweden (1533-1577) and Alexander I of Russia (1777-1825).

As a fast and talented writer, Waltari moved easily from one literary field to another. He wrote mystery novels, poems, short stories, essays, fairy tales, travel books, screenplays, plays and memoirs. Waltari's rhymes for the Kieku and Kaiku comics drawn by Asmo Alho gained readers from children to adults. Some of his texts Waltari wrote in collaboration with Armas J.Pulla. Due to his hard work ethics Waltari suffered from insomnia and depression and was treated in hospital on several occasions. With his friends in the literary, theatrical and art circles he drank periodically and retired then during the spring in the country to write. In the 1930s Waltari participated in several literary competitions to prove his critics the quality of his work, and also won first and second prizes. His mystery novel, KUKA MURHASI ROUVA SKROFIN? (1939), written for the Nordic detective story competition, won the Finnish section, and inspired Waltari to compose other novels of his old and irritable hero, the Inspector Palmu. Matti Kassila's film series featuring Inspector Palmu started with Komisario Palmun erehdys, which was published in 1940, and filmed in 1960, starring Joel Rinne (as Palmu), Leo Jokela (etsivä Kokki), Matti Ranin (as Toivo), Matti Oravisto, Pentti Siimes, and Elina Salo. The series was continued with Kaasua, komisario Palmu! (1961), Tähdet kertovat, komisario Palmu (1962), and Vodkaa, komisario Palmu (1969), which was not based on Waltari's original text. The director Matti Kassila and Georg Korkman wrote the screenplay.

"When I consider the quintessential cinema, I feel it should combine the imagination and humanity of the Italian film, English humor, French sensuality, and the control and pace of the American movie; and because historical themes interest me, I would add to the inventory the brilliant montage of the Russian historical film." (Mika Waltari, from Drifting Shadows by Peter von Bagh, 1999)

Already before the war Waltari had dealt with historical subjects, including in the play AKHNATON, which was produced at the National Theatre of Helsinki in 1938. The Egyptian was set in the same period, representing the pharaoh as the prophet of a 'single just god' to replace a corrupt priesthood. The character of Akhnaton and the ancient world offered Waltari a grand stage to examine freely wartime and post-war realities of European life. From the mid-1940s Waltari concentrated on long historical novels, set in classical Mediterranean world, as in TURMS KUOLEMATON (1955, The Etruscan), or in the Ancient Rome, as in IHMISKUNNAN VIHOLLISET (1964, The Roman). Among his novels set in the Byzantine Empire are JOHANNES ANGELOS (1952, The Dark Angel), a love story set in a doomed city, and NUORI JOHANNES (1981), a prequel to The Dark Angel, which was published posthumously.

"I have stayed up to write. From time to time I have closed my eyes and rested my hot forehead on my hands. But sleep will not take pity on me now. Through eyelids gritty from weariness I see her beauty - her mouth - her eyes. How her cheeks burn at the touch of my hand - how dazzling a flame shoots through me when I stroke her naked loin. Never have I longed so madly for her as now, when I know that I have lost her." (from The Dark Angel, 1952, trans. by Naomi Walford)

The Dark Angel is written in the form of a diary. It opens in Constantinople in the spring of 1453 when the Ottoman Turks besieged the city. The last city of the Greek church and the capital of the Byzantine Empire will be soon taken by the Turks and then serve as their capital in the succeeding centuries. Against this change of an era Waltari creates a love story. Johannes Angelos, a man who has wandered far and known much, falls in love with the beautiful Anna Notaras, who takes a sword in defense of the city. Johannes knows that he also must witness the collapse of a civilization. He dies in the hands of the Sultan, who declares that he is his own law. "Not God himself can compete with me in earthly power."

Johannes realizes that in his fashion he is right, since he has chosen truth as man sees it, and material death, rather than the reality of God. "In believing that you can shake off the past like an old prejudice and set yourself up as the standard by which all things are to measured, you are forging worse fetters for yourself than anyone has ever borne before you."

Some of Waltari's novelettes were first rejected by his published because they were considered obscene and he published them himself. From 1957 to 1978 Mika Waltari was a member of The Finnish Academy. In his later works, such as FELIKS ONNELLINEN (1958), VALTAKUNNAN SALAISUUS (1959, The Secret of the Kingdom), and The Roman, Waltari dealt with religious themes. He died on August 26, 1979, in Helsinki. Waltari's books have not lost their popularity among readers and his work has also inspired academic research.

Sinuhe, egyptiläinen (The Egyptian, 1945). A novel set in the Egypt of the 18th Dynasty, 1300 BC. Main characters are Sinuhe, the royal physician of the Pharaoh Ekhnaton, Kaptah, Sinuhe's servant, Nefernefernefer, the ruthless courtesan and Sinuhe's unfaithful beloved, and the military commander Horemheb, who destroys Ekhnaton's plans to remove old Gods and establish a monotheistic religion - anticipating Christianity. "The people must be controlled by fear. If the gods govern them, the throne needs no weapons to support." The theme of Sinuhe illustrates the disillusionment and resignation of the Finnish bourgeoisie when nearly all its old values collapsed through the turmoil of WW II. In the story a newly-born baby Sinuhe is placed in a tarred reed boat and allowed to float down the River Nile - like an unknown Moses. The wife of the paupers' physician in Thebes finds Sinuhe and raises him as her own son. He becomes a doctor like his foster-father.

The beautiful courtesan Nefernefernefer ruins Sinuhe's life and he is driven into exile. There he befriends with Horemheb, and falls in love with Minea, a Creatan bull-dancer, who dies. Thanks to Horemheb, the general of the royal army, Sinuhe is made the Pharaoh's brain surgeon. When Ekhnaton tries to introduce monotheism to Egypt, he is killed and Horemheb becomes the new ruler. Sinuhe, who knows too much and is well-aware of his own true origin, is expelled from Egypt. In exile he writes down his life story.

JUMALAA PAOSSA, 1925
KUOLLEEN SILMÄT, 1926
SINUN RISTISI JUUREEN, 1927
SUURI ILLUSIONI, 1928 - Den stora illusionen - television film 1984, dir. by Tuija-Maija Niskanen
VALTATIET, 1928 (with Olavi Paavolainen - see also Futurism: Giovanni Papini, Apollinaire)
YKSINÄISEN MIEHEN JUNA, 1929
DSHINNISTANIN PRINSSI, 1929
MUUKALAISLEGIOONA, 1930
JÄTTILÄISET OVAT KUOLLEET, 1930
APPELSIININSIEMEN, 1931
RADIOKUUNNELMA, 1931
SIELLÄ MISSÄ MIEHIÄ TEHDÄÄN, 1931
KIINALAINEN KISSA JA MUITA SATUJA, 1932
MIES JA HAAVE, 1933
SIELU JA LIEKKI, 1934
PALAVA NUORUUS, 1935
AIOTKO KIRJAILIJAKSI, 1935
SURUN JA ILON KAUPUNKI,1936
JUUDEAN YÖ, 1936
KURITON SUKUPOLVI, 1936 - film 1937, dir. by Wilho Ilmari
AKHNANATON, AURINGOSTA SYNTYNYT, 1937
HELSINKI KAUTTA VUOSISATOJEN , 1937
MIES RAKASTI VAIMOAAN, 1937
TOIMITTAJA RAKASTUU, 1937
YÖ YLI EUROOPAN, 1937
VIERAS MIES TULI TALOON, 1937 - A Stranger Came to the Farm - En främling kom till gården - film 1938, dir. by Wilho Ilmari; film 1957, dir. by Hannu Leminen
JÄLKINÄYTÖS, 1938 - Sista akten
IHMEELLINEN JOSEF ELI ELÄMÄ ON SEIKKAILUA, 1938
KUKA MURHASI ROUVA SKROFIN, 1939 - Vem mördade fru Kroll - SEE ALSO: Outsider - film 1961, dir. by Matti Kassila, starring Joel Rinne, Matti Ranin, Leo Jokela, Pentti Siimes
HÄMEENLINNAN KAUNOTAR, 1939 filmscript: Aleksis Kivi´s novel Seitsemän veljestä, 1939; dir. by Wilho Ilmari - Sju bröder
ANTERO EI ENÄÄ PALAA, 1940 - Nej, vi kommer aldrig att dö
SOTILAAN PALUU, 1940
KOMISARIO PALMUN EREHDYS, 1940 - Mystrie i Rygseck - film 1960, dir. by Matti Kassila.

- "Ensimmäisen Palmu-elokuvan nimihenkilön kaltaiset miehet sopivat staattisene rauhan ajan lainvartijoiksi - sota viimeistään vaati kykyä yhteistoimintaan. Palmussa voidaan siis nähdä 1930-luvun suomalaisen nurkkakuntaisuuden häiveitä. Ohjaaja itse on paljastanut Palmunsa innoittajiksi kaksi suomalaisen kansan ja kulttuurin voimahahmoa: J.K. Paasikiven ja T.J. Särkän." (Vesa Ville Mattíla in Suomen kansallisfilmografia 6, ed. by Kari Uusitalo, 1991)

MAA ON IKUINEN, 1941
TOTUUS VIROSTA, LATVISTA JA LIETTUASTA, 1941
TULEVAISUUDEN TIEDLLÄ, 1941
YÖVUOROSSA, 1941
EI KOSKAAN HUOMISPÄIVÄÄ, 1942 - Ingen morgondag, övers. av Anna Bondestam
FINE VAN BROOKLYN, 1942
HANKALA KOSINTA, 1942
HYVIN HARKITTU - PUOLIKSI TEHTY, 1942
ISÄSTÄ POIKAAN, 1942
KAARINA MAUNUNTYTÄR, 1942 - Karin Månsdotter
NEUVOSTOVAKOILUN VARJOSSA, 1942 - I sovjetspionagets skugga
NOVELLEJA, 1943
EERO JA ILONA, 1943
ILONA ON SAIRAANA, 1943
ILONAN PÄIVÄT TUULIAJOLLA, 1943
PARACELSUS BASELISSA, 1943
RAKKAUS VAINOAIKAAN, 1943
YÖVIERAS, 1943-44
KIRKAS PÄIVÄ, 1944
TAKAISIN LINJOILLE, 1944
UNOHDUKSEN PYÖRRE, 1944
JOKIN IHMISESSÄ, 1944 - film 1956
TANSSI YLI HAUTOJEN, 1944 - Kejsarbalens drottning - film 1950, dir. by Toivo Särkkä
GABRIEL, TULE TAKAISIN, 1944-45 - film 1951, dir. by Valentin Vaala
SINUHE EGYPTILÄINEN 1-2, 1945 - The Egyptian - Sinuhe, egyptiern - film The Egyptian, dir. by Michael Curtiz, 1954; SEE ALSO: The Land of the Pharaohs, dir. by Howard Hawks, written by William Faulkner, Harry Kurnitz, H. Jack Bloom, 1955
NOITA PALAA ELÄMÄÄN, 1945-46 - film 1952, dir. by Roland af Hällström
OMENA PUTOAA, 1946-47 - film 1952, dir. by Valentin Vaala
ELÄMÄN RIKKAUS, 1947
PORTTI PIMEÄÄN, 1947
KULTAKUTRI, 1948
LÄHDIN ISTANBULIIN, 1947
MIKAEL KARVAJALKA, 1948 - The Adventurer / Michael the Finn - Mikael Ludenfot
HUHTIKUU TULEE, 1948-49
MIKAEL HAKIM, 1949 - The Wanderer / The Sultan's Renegade - Mikael Hakim
NELJÄ PÄIVÄNLASKUA, 1949
LEIKKAUS, 1951
PIMEÄ KOMERO, 1951
VIIMEISET IHMISET, 1951?
JOHANNES ANGELOS, 1952 - Johannes Angelos
KUUN MAISEMA, 1953 - Moonscape - film Jäinen saari based on Waltari's story from the collection, dir. by Erik Häkkinen. starring Annikki Moksi and Kullervo Koski; scrip by Erik Häkkinen and Mika Waltari; tv adaptation in 1978, dir. by Markku Onttonen
RAKAS LURJUS, 1953-54 - film 1955, dir. by Edvin Laine
YKSINÄISEN MIEHEN JUNA, 1954
RUNOJA 1925-45, 1954
TURMS KUOLEMATON, 1955 - The Etruscan - Turms den odödlige
KUTSUMATON VIERAS, 1956-57
VALLATON VALTARI, 1957
FELIKS ONNELLINEN, 1958 - Felix den lyclige
VALTAKUNNAN SALAISUUS, 1959 - The Secret of the Kingdom - Rikets hemlighet
MILJOONAVAILLINKI, 1959-60 - film 1961, dir. by Toivo Särkkä
MYÖHÄSTYNYT HÄÄYÖ, 1959-60 - film 1960, dir. by Edvin Laine
KOIRANHEISIPUU JA NELJÄ MUUTA PIENOISROMAANIA, 1961 - The Tree of Dreams
TOUKOKUU TULEE, 1961
TÄHDET KERTOVAT, KOMISARIO PALMU!, 1962 - film 1962, dir. by Matti Kassila
KEISARI JA SENAATTORI, 1963
IHMISKUNNAN VIHOLLISET, 1964 - The Roman - Rikets fiender film script
KULKURIN VALSSI (with Heikki Kataja), 1965 - film 1941, dir. by T.J. Särkkä
PIENOISROMAANIT, 1966
22.30 - PIKAJUNA VIIPURIIN, 1966
PÖYTÄLAATIKKO, 1967
IHMISEN ÄÄNI, 1978
MIKA WALTARIN TEOKSIA, 1978
MIKAN RUNOJA JA MUISTIINPANOJA 1925-1978, 1979
KIEKU JA KAIKU, 1979 (with Atso Alho)
KIRJAILIJAN MUISTELMAT, 1980 (ed. by Ritva Haavikko)
NUORI JOHANNES, 1981
MIKA WALTARIN NÄYTELMÄT, 1999
VIISI ÄSSÄÄ JA MUITA KERTOMUKSIA, 1999