The End of Drum-Time by Hanna Pylväinen is a historical fiction novel set in 1851 in the Arctic Circle. The novel's central character is the Lutheran Church minister, Lars Levi, who is sent to convert the Sami people to Christianity. The Sami people are traditionalists who do not know much about Christianity because they have their traditional beliefs and the gods they worship. Hanna Pylväinen’s main topics in the novel include the conflict between Christianity and traditional viewpoints, buoyancy, and relationships.
Hanna Pylväinen starts her novel by showing the obstacles Lars Levi meets when he first tries to introduce Christianity in the Arctic Circle. The Sami Reindeer herders are sceptical of Lars Levi's teachings and struggle to understand why he rivals their traditional beliefs. The Sami Reindeer herders have their unique way of worship based on traditional beliefs. Initially, the locals show no interest in Christianity, but with time, one senior member of the Sami reindeer herders accepts baptism and converts to Christianity. With time, more people willingly start accepting the preacher's message and are all converted to Christianity.
The other interesting theme in the novel is buoyancy. Hanna Pylväinen depicts Lars Levi as a sanguine preacher who will never despair until he achieves his goals. The Lutheran minister is in the Arctic Circle primarily to spread the gospel of Christ and ensure many people convert to Christianity. Despite the opposition and lack of interest in Christianity by the Sami reindeer people, Lars Levi remains buoyant that, in the end, everyone will be saved. Interestingly, Lars Levi achieves his goal when the Sami Reindeer people accept Christianity and become one large body of Jesus Christ.
The last point of focus in the novel is romantic relationships. After Lars Levi stays in the Arctic Circle for some time, his daughter starts a sexual relationship with a young Sami reindeer man. Lars Levi's daughter has been God-fearing, obedient, and determined to follow her father's spiritual journey. Lars Levi knows that his daughter will get married in the church and follow the rules. However, Lars Levi's daughter goes against her father's wishes and starts a sexual relationship with a young man who promises to marry her.
