The Summer Book (New York Review Books Classics)

This book was the choice of my reading group at my local bookstore and for the first time, the more than 30 people who attended were unanimous in their praise of this book which was first published in Finland in 1972 and translated into English in 1974. This is a story of a six year old girl and her very old grandmother who, with the girl's father, inhabit an almost isolated island off the coast of Finland during one special summer after the girl's mother has just died.This is a spare and beautiful story told through 22 different vignettes which are each deceptively simple and contain haunting descriptions of life, death, loss and renewal. It is a view of nature, and cultural values and is obviously written by someone who has lived this unique kind of life. There is also an underlying sense of humor and there were times I just laughed out loud or smiled to myself at the relationship between the ancient old woman who is possessed of a great natural wisdom and the young child. The voice is authentic, the prose beautiful, the view of nature real and uplifting.This is a short book, a mere 170 pages long and I must say I didn't want it to end. It is treat for anyone who reads this and it left me with a feeling of pleasure. That is about as high a compliment that I can pay to any book.

Heavy on mood established through simple prose, Tove Jansson's THE SUMMER BOOK is an elegy to both a simple way of life and a once-upon-a-time relationship enjoyed with her grandmother when she was a child. In the book, of course, the little girl is named Sophia, but it's clear that Tove is trafficking in her own past, its poignancy and beauty.The rewards of the book are twofold: One, it is a naturalist's find, as Jansson's characters describe and interact with the flora, fauna, and sea on and around a Finnish island circa 1920. And two, it is a celebration of the love between grand-daughter and grandmother -- no, not corny and idealized, but realistic, yet still poignant. This grandmother has real personality. She sneaks cigarettes, has down days, and yet still walks out in the middle of the night to witness long-tailed ducks called scolders as dawn approaches. There are many scenes like this... magical, almost, with the Scandinavian love of the forest and the sea imbuing the entire narrative.If you're looking for gripping plot or narrative arcs, save your time and money. This book is episodic in nature, and though not all of the chapters are equally strong, it wins you over through rich characterization and description. Jansson, famed as a children's book writer and artist, proves she can write straightforward fare for adults as well. By the end, you will feel like a guest of these quirky islanders. By the end, you'll realize you've been let in on a secret, too -- the secret of a land forgotten by many but honored by Jansson through the heady muse of memory.

Bought it for an elderly friend who is starting to lose her memory. She loved it, as I knew she would, because its a gentle, lovely, well written, gorgeous collection of stories. Highly recommended (like everything else Tove Janson ever wrote).

so grateful that I found this book, it was so profound when I read it and I can't wait to pull it out again when I'm older and see what I get from it.

A slow, moving, thoughtful, beautiful novel that uses an interestingly deceptively simple narrative. If you like thought-provoking, pretty writing without a lot of plot or forward momentum this book is for you. The summer book moves like a long, hot slow summer, that sizzles below the surface.

This is a 'one sitting' novel and I relished every written page. Lovely even as it seems to have been written as a homage and metaphor to a lost loved-one. Perfect summer escapism. Highly recommend.

A favorite Summer read for many people.But it has a dark side to it as well.A Grandmother, knowing she is approaching her death, and her 6 year old granddaughter.On an island on the east side of Finland during the summer. The father/son is there too (wife/mother is dead), but plays a background role only (hmm, while he also fishes, what is his work at the desk all day long during just about every day they are there???). First published in Finland in 1972, the time frame is somewhat vague - post-War is about the closest I could come up with here. (Jansson was born in 1914.)Both the girl and the woman have wise mouths, and are not hesitant to voice their opinions. One too young to know any better, one too old to care.Rather charming, but in a dark Grimms' Fairy Tales kind of way as well.Jansson is better known in Europe for her Moomintroll cartoons.The odd thing is, while I really enjoyed this, it does not make me want to go and read more of Jansson's adult work.I look through the Contents, and there is not a story I did not enjoy. But maybe the "sausage", storm, and Venice stories are my favorites.4.5 out of 10.Even though very Scandinavian, it can provide even those of us who are citizens of the US with a bit of nostalgia for Summer as a child.

The Summer Book: A Novel is a wonderful book by Tove Jansson, who created The Moomins. It is the tale of a young girl and her grandmother and their experiences together. As a naturalist myself I appreciated the way that the author makes direct references to species of plants and birds, showing the old lady's knowledge and contact with the world of nature and the seasons. She is trying to impart what she knows to young Sophia. The book looks at the changing world the grandmother is finding herself in. Anyone, who is familiar with the stories about The Moomins, will be happy to find that Jansson's style is evident in this book too. There is a feeling of seemingly random events taking place, the known world of the grandmother and the world Sophia is discovering. The Summer Book is short, very easy to read and an enjoyable journey that looks at life and death in a fascinating way. It is a book of learning, of love and of an old woman's wisdom.

som väntat

This is an absolutely beautiful book. I started reading it at a stressful time in my life and it brought peace so that I could go to sleep at ease. Each chapter is like a short story, totally fulfilling in itself. The writing conjures the serenity of a Scandinavian summer. The dialogue between Grandmother and grand daughter is both realistic and magical. I bought it on kindle but would rather have a hardback to keep on my bookshelf to dip into when I need calm.

Lettura piacevolissima, consiglio anche i fumetti per bambini della stessa autrice.

Bonita lectura para el verano aunque esperaba un poquito más. Son pequeñas historias a modo de anécdotas de una abuela con su nieta que viven en una isla en Finlandia. Eso es todo. No hay un hilo conductor.