The Summer Book by Tove Jansson
The Summer Book is a brief novel that tells the story of Sophia, a six-year-old girl, and her grandmother, who spend the summer on a tiny unspoiled island in the Gulf of Finland.
The grandmother is wise and unsentimental, while Sophia is impetuous and volatile. Together, they explore the island’s coastline and forest, build boats from bark, create a miniature Venice, and write a fanciful study of local bugs. They discuss things that matter to young and old alike, such as life, death, the nature of God, and love.
The book explores themes of nature, love, and intergenerational relationships. It is a closely observed journal of the sounds, sights, and feel of a summer spent in intimate contact with the natural world. The Summer Book is a beloved classic that has been published as a special 50-year anniversary edition.
What I Liked
Lovely, lovely book. I loved the setting, the relationship between the Grandma and Sophia. One of those books that should keep going.
What I Did Not Like
Nothing – great read.
