Summary of The Summer Book
In this beloved Finnish novella, six-year-old Sophia and her grandmother spend the summer on a rocky island in the Gulf of Finland. They talk about life, death, and everything in between – but, out of love and concern for each other, they avoid the hardest subject of all: the death of Sophia’s mother. There is no intricate plot – the book unfolds through a series of vignettes that capture small incidents on the island, colouring the often prickly but always loving relationship between an adventurous child and her headstrong grandmother.
Reasons to read The Summer Book
“The Summer Book” is a charming and unpretentious story about the bond between a young girl and her grandmother. Tender, humorous, and full of quiet wisdom, it is among the most translated works of Finnish literature and remains a literary gem. Tove Jansson, a Finnish author who wrote in Swedish, was a multi-talented artist, known not only for her writings but also for her paintings. She published various novels (such as “The True Deceiver”), short stories, and the renowned “Moomin” children’s books. Jansson received many accolades, including the Swedish Academy Finland Prize, the Hans Christian Andersen Award, and the Selma Lagerlöf Prize.
Setting: Klovaharun (Finland)
Book set in Finland: The name of the island is not mentioned in the book, but it is widely believed to be Klovaharun, located south of Porvoo. This small island was the summer residence of Tove Jansson and her partner Tuulikki Pietilä for 30 years.
Original title: Sommarboken
Year of publication: 1972
Nr of pages: 184
