Roger Boyes became not only one of the most read writers on Times Online when he wrote his analysis of the Finnish school massacre for The Times this week, but also one of the most controversial. Most of the 184 comments (so far) on his piece are from Finns many of whom feel, as one of the more polite correspondents wrote, that his view is "one sided and slightly ignorant". The gist of much of the comment is that the Times correspondent is far too gloomy and simplistic in his analysis of Finnish society or, as JayJay of Helsinki briskly put it: "This article is well written in terms of style and form, but utter rubbish in terms of content".

Here's Roger Boyes's response to your comments:

Well, it is always good to see the Finns when they get a bit of fire in their stomachs - and it is right to be stirred by a national tragedy that leaves children and teachers dead in what is supposed to be an oasis of security.

But, don’t you think, my dear Finnish fans, that a mass murder sometimes exposes the cracks in society? In America, Britain — and in Finland too?

Don’t you think it’s worth having a debate about your family lives, about the way that teenagers often drift away? Hasn’t technology changed the nature of friendship, aren’t the rhythms of society changing? They are elsewhere and we talk about it. In Finland, it seems, you don’t.

But you’re right: Finland ranks as one of the happiest countries in Europe. It also has one of the highest suicide rates, the third highest divorce rate in Europe (beaten by Sweden again!) and 56 per cent gun ownership. So that adds up to a pretty complex society, no?

Paradise on Earth, you say, but I wager not if you are a) the offspring of divorced parents; b) unemployed; c) a teenager stuck in a small dormitory suburb without much cash; or d) a polar bear.

Apart from d) those categories apply to Tuusula. Which is where I am writing from.

Dear Finns, I invite you to Tuusula! I bet most of you haven’t been here. Or only once.

Sure, it’s not in the Arctic circle but it’s a long way from the vibrating clubs of Helsinki.

I happen to think teenagers have quite a hard time of it here. I am glad that some of the happier ones have found time to write in. But let’s get this in perspective: of course the killer was unhinged and of course he was not typical of Finnish youth. It was a horrible crime.

But it happened in Finland, didn’t it? Shouldn’t you ask why and not just leave the questioning to visiting foreigners?

And, for all those who wondered if I had ever visited Finland, yes, I have known Finland for more than 30 years. I even had my first wisdom tooth removed here, in 1976. I guess most of you think I had my wisdom removed too.

Best of the comments

Oh yes, when I heard of this tragedy, I instantly thought of the dark powers of Tuonela and the mighty Ukko. I would like to call my friends and talk about this but I can't, because it's already dark and I'm feeling depressed. All I can do now is wait for the summer and just hope that my friends are still alive when it arrives. Thank God I still have my YouTube. Riikka, Tampere, Finland

Still upset about F1, are you Mr Boyes? Karolina, Helsinki, Finland

I'd really like to get closer look on this article but it's time for my monthly nightswim. Mr Boyes, if you ever visit Finland I have a free bed for you. Maybe we can go shooting wolves or something. Janne, Hollola, Finland

At least we Finns know how to GOOGLE! Katri, Suomi, Finland

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