Susan's book sets off a media feeding-frenzy

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Those who wonder at the identity of the person named in the headline will have to wait for a few paragraphs, and will also have to ask themselves how they became so seriously out of touch with the topics du jour in modern Finland.
      This country took another lurching step towards the joys of celebrity-driven culture and politics on Tuesday at a curious press conference held in the World Trade Center building in Helsinki.
      A quite astonishing number of photographers and journalists were on hand, the latter group representing all shades from hardened political commentators to professionals from the so-called "entertainment media", or the gossip mags.
     
They were all present for the launch - or more accurately the "pre-launch" - of a new book in the "kiss and tell" genre. It is by Susan Kuronen, who last year had a brief affair with Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen that gained many column-inches in the Finnish tabloid press. Vanhanen's 20-year marriage broke down in 2005.
      The waiting journalists who were present asked themselves whether their attendance at the briefing said more about contemporary politics or about themselves. Everyone wondered how it was possible that so many had turned up - far more than for any government press conference. Ever.
     
Inside the meeting room, Kuronen posed, smiling broadly, with the cover of her new book in her hands.
      The gathering was to disclose only the cover of the book, as the actual work, entitled Pääministerin morsian (The PM's Bride), will go into shops on February 19th.
      "I am the Susan Kuronen of the garish headlines", the main character said as her opening words to the journalists. She revealed her motives for writing the book: the intention is merely to report what went on in the relationship that caused so much publicity and furore.
      It was a matter of love, declares Kuronen. There is a total hush as the enormous crowd of reporters and photographers listen to her account.
     
Kuronen wants finally to get her story out in her own words. The material for the book is taken from diary entries and SMS-messages and e-mails sent by Vanhanen. Kuronen has also collected all the tabloid and magazine flyers and headlines that relate to the affair.
      The book deal with the small publishing house Etukeno was, she said, the happiest moment of her life after the birth of her children. Publisher Kari Ojala confirmed that Kuronen jumped for joy when the contract was signed.
      Kuronen herself gives the assurance that she is not looking for publicity as such. Writing a book has always been a dream for her.
      Ojala admits freely that the appearance of the book has deliberately been timed to coincide with the final weeks of the election campaign. Finns go to the polls in parliamentary elections in March.
     
After the media stampede witnessed on Tuesday, Ojala said that the print-run numbers would be reconsidered. The makers declined to comment either on how many copies will be printed or on the size of Kuronen's signing-fee.
      Susan Kuronen says that the book will not be disparaging about Vanhanen, who is at present widely regarded as the most likely person to lead the next government. "It may give a more human face to him", was Kuronen's assessment of the possible impact of the book.
      Ojala meanwhile assured the journalists that he did not have any political stance, and he added that he certainly could not be described as an adherent of the Centre Party.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Susan speaks out - but not in an exclusive interview (5.12.2006)
  Politics goes entertainment (5.12.2006)

Helsingin Sanomat