Tove Jansson's classic, bestselling novel
'Distils the essence of summer' Robert Macfarlane
'Magical, life-affirming' Elizabeth Gilbert
The Worldwide Classic about a tiny island and larger love. An elderly artist and her six-year-old grand-daughter while away a summer together on a tiny island in the gulf of Finland. As the two learn to adjust to each other's fears, whims and yearnings, a fierce yet understated love emerges - one that encompasses not only the summer inhabitants but the very island itself.
Written in a clear, unsentimental style, full of brusque humour, and wisdom, The Summer Book is a profoundly life-affirming story. Tove Jansson captured much of her own life and spirit in the book, which was her favourite of her adult novels. With a foreword by Esther Freud and an afterword by Sophia Jansson (on whom the child 'Sophia' is based) who returns to the island during the pandemic at the point of becoming a grandmother herself.
Includes a 15pp epilogue by Tove's niece Sophia Jansson - the inspiration for 'Sophia' - on a personal and moving return to the island.
'Eccentric, funny, wise, full of joys and small adventures. This is a book for life.' Esther Freud
'Tove Jansson was a genius. This is a marvellous, beautiful, wise novel, which is also very funny.' Philip Pullman
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The Summer Book 9780954221713 Paperback
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The Summer Book
I read this book a few years ago as I’m a big fan of Tove, introduced my two sons to her wonderful Moomin book series. I sent this copy to my granddaughter as it’s such a wonderful book that explores the special relationship between the grandmother and her granddaughter. The island sounds magical …
I read this book a few years ago as I’m a big fan of Tove, introduced my two sons to her wonderful Moomin book series. I sent this copy to my granddaughter as it’s such a wonderful book that explores the special relationship between the grandmother and her granddaughter. The island sounds magical and the experiences and adventures they share serve to deepen the emotional and loving relationship between the two protagonists.
- Authors:
- Jansson, Tove
- Year Published:
- 2003
- Country of Publication:
- United Kingdom
- Format:
- Paperback
- ISBN:
- 9780954221713
- Number of Pages:
- 192
- Place of Publication:
- London
- Publication Date:
- 29/05/2003
- Publisher:
- Sort of Books
- Language:
- English
- SKU:
- 9780954221713