Summer Book

The Summer Book is a fresh, vivid and magical novel about seemingly endless summers of discovery. An elderly artist and her six year old granddaughter while away the summer together, on a tiny island in the Gulf of Finland, their solitude disturbed only by migrating birds, sudden storms and an occasional passing boat. Gradually, the two learn to adjust to each other’s fears, foibles and yearnings for independence, and a fierce yet understated love emerges – one that engulfs not only the summer inhabitants, but the very island itself. Tove Jansson writes with a special toughness, and with a quiet, dry sense of humour, about a small girl and her grandmother, who as kindred spirits share the long days together.

Review: Tove Jansson was a genius. This is a marvellous, beautiful, wise novel, which is also very funny. — Philip Pullman This is a wonderful, life-affirming, spirited book. Reading it was a tonic. — Chris Stewart (author, Driving Over Lemons) Eccentric, funny, wise, full of joys and small adventures. This is a book for life. — Esther Freud

Author Biography: The writer and artist Tove Jansson (1914-2001) is a Scandinavian national treasure: she has a museum dedicated to her work in her native Finland, and the Moomin characters adorn everything from mugs to schoolbags. Elsewhere, Moomin stories have been published in 35 languages.

Format: Paperback
Pages: 176
Imprint: Sort Of Books/Profile
Publication date: 29/05/2003