Elämänkertakertomus

Elämänkertakertomus is a Finnish term used to describe a narrative that recounts a person’s life story. It is commonly encountered in literary criticism as a form that sits between autobiography (muistelmat) and biography (elämäkerta). The expression signals a life-centered narrative that emphasizes the telling of a life as a coherent tale, often blending memory with historical context. In practice, elämänkertakertomus can refer to a memoir-like account written in a narrative mode or to a biographical narrative that adopts a strong reflective or first-person perspective.

Key features often associated with elämänkertakertomus include a chronological or thematic organization of life events, emphasis on turning points, and a negotiation between personal interpretation and verifiable facts. The narrative voice tends to be intimate and subjective, though it may include critical distance or self-examination. Works described as elämänkertakertomus frequently aim to preserve memory while illuminating broader social or historical contexts through the subject’s experiences.

In Finnish literary discourse, elämänkertakertomus is discussed as a mode of life-writing that foregrounds the act of telling a life story. This can occur when the subject narrates their own life or when a writer shapes the narrative with a strong life-centered perspective. Related terms include muistelmat, elämäkerta, and oral history projects, which help distinguish different approaches to documenting a life.