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The Summer Book

The Summer Book

Author(s): Tove Jansson

Location(s): Finland

Genre(s): Fiction

Era(s): 20th Century

Location

Content

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.

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Book Reviews

Lead Review

“Few books since Robinson Crusoe have evoked the joys of island living so powerfully as this Finnish novella. — The Observer, PAPERBACK OF THE WEEK, 15 June 2003

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