THE SUMMER BOOK PB – TOVE JANSSON

Tove Jansson s classic, bestselling novel Soon to be a major motion picture starring Glenn Close Distils the essence of summer Robert Macfarlane Magical, life-affirming Elizabeth Gilbert The Worldwide Classic about a tiny island and larger love. An elderly artist and her six-year-old grand-daughter while away a summer together on a tiny island in the gulf of Finland. As the two learn to adjust to each other s fears, whims and yearnings, a fierce yet understated love emerges – one that encompasses not only the summer inhabitants but the very island itself. Written in a clear, unsentimental style, full of brusque humour, and wisdom, The Summer Book is a profoundly life-affirming story. Tove Jansson captured much of her own life and spirit in the book, which was her favourite of her adult novels. With a foreword by Esther Freud and an afterword by Sophia Jansson (on whom the child Sophia is based) who returns to the island during the pandemic at the point of becoming a grandmother herself. Includes a 15pp epilogue by Tove s niece Sophia Jansson – the inspiration for Sophia – on a personal and moving return to the island. Eccentric, funny, wise, full of joys and small adventures. This is a book for life. Esther Freud Tove Jansson was a genius. This is a marvellous, beautiful, wise novel, which is also very funny. Philip Pullman