Kulervo, the son of Kalevala, is perhaps one of the darkest and irresistibly attractive heroes of J.R.R. Tolkien. "Poor Kulervo," as Tolkien called him, was an orphan boy with supernatural powers and a tragic fate. Raised in the terrible mansion of the all-powerful and ruthless Untamo, who had killed his father, captured his mother, and attempted to murder him three times when he was still a young boy, Kulervo would have been alone in life if he did not have the love and support of his twin sister, Wanona, as well as the protection offered to him by the magic of his dog Musti. When he was eventually sold as a slave, he swore to avenge Untamo. However, before he could exact the revenge he planned, he realized in the most painful way that no one can escape their merciless fate...

The "Story of Kulervo," which is being published for the first time along with the drafts, notes, and essay by Tolkien about Kalevala, which inspired him to write this particular work, can be considered the archetypal source of his "mythology for England."