The Summer Book

By: Tove Jansson, Thomas Teal - translator

Narrated by: Natasha Soudek

In The Summer Book Tove Jansson distills the essence of the summer - its sunlight and storms - into 22 crystalline vignettes. This brief novel tells the story of Sophia, a six-year-old girl awakening to existence, and Sophia's grandmother, nearing the end of hers, as they spend the summer on a tiny unspoiled island in the Gulf of Finland. The grandmother is unsentimental and wise, if a little cranky; Sophia is impetuous and volatile, but she tends to her grandmother with the care of a new parent. Together they amble over coastline and forest in easy companionship, build boats from bark, create a miniature Venice, write a fanciful study of local bugs. They discuss things that matter to young and old alike: life, death, the nature of God, and of love. "On an island," thinks the grandmother, "everything is complete." In The Summer Book, Jansson creates her own complete world, full of the varied joys and sorrows of life.

©1972 Tove Jansson (Moomin Characters); translation copyright 1974 by The Estate of Tove Jansson; Introduction copyright by Kathryn Davis (P)2022 Tantor

Swedish Finns

Tove Jansen, a Swedish-speaking Finn, writes a charming story of a woman and her granddaughter who live on an island off the Finnish coast. Narrator is fantastic and brings the characters to life.

LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!

i was forced the read this book for english, but i would honestly read it again. such a good story and beautiful symbolism. would recommend!!

What A Wonderful Book

I loved the story of the relationship of the grandmother and the granddaughter. What a sweet connection as they mived through the days if summer having one adventure after another.

Pure delight

What a wonderful compilation of tales. True joy in the relationship between a grandmother and her precocious granddaughter.

the sweet bond between the grandmother and granddaughter

It reminded me of my granddaughter. I enjoy this author. If you're in for a rainy day, grab a blanket and enjoy non stop reading.