“It was an early, very warm morning in July, and it had rained during the night. The bare granite steamed, the moss and crevices were drenched with moisture, and all the colors everywhere had deepened. Below the veranda, the vegetation in the morning shade was like a rain forest of lush, evil leaves and flowers, which she had to be careful not to break as she searched. She held one hand in front of her mouth and was constantly afraid of losing her balance.”
The Summer Book by Tove Jansson
On an island in the Gulf of Finland a grandmother and granddaughter deepen their relationship over big questions, like when do we die, or simple moments of being together and exploring the island. From the onset the reader knows that little Sophia has lost her mother and lives on the island with her grandmother and father. Her father barely registers with the reader as he always seems to be in the background working but it is Sophia’s relationship with her grandmother that is at the core of the book.
Their relationship isn’t all sweetness and light and thank goodness for that. Not that I’m opposed to comfy, sweet stories but it was so interesting to read a book like this one. Their relationship is filled with rebellion, arguments and strong wills but it’s also very honest and that is something that I thought was truly nice to see between an older adult and a young child. While at times it seems that the two are squabbling or at odds it is easy to see that there is a lot of love and care underneath it all.
While the book is not set in a diary format, you could easily make the case that the each of the chapters serves as an episode of a certain day or event that happens on the island. One time Sophia has a friend that comes stay with them and that doesn’t go very well, another time they trespass onto a neighbor’s property and so on. Each episode seems like another way for Sophia to learn something about her grandmother and life in general.
One of my favorite moments in the book is actually when a large storm arrives on the island and Sophia feels personally responsible for having brought on the storm as she had prayed God for it. When she finds out the chaos the storm caused she is beside herself thinking that she caused this and it is up to her grandmother to relieve her of the burden by telling her that she had actually prayed first so it was because of her that the storm came. Isn’t that a wonderful thing for the grandmother to have done?
I hadn’t read any of Tove Jansson’s books, although I understand she’s very well-known moreso for her children’s books, but it was really a delight to have read this one. If you have read it too join us over at the Slaves of Golconda to discuss it and see what others thought.
This sounds really lovely. Thanks for the review.
Lovely review! I will post mine today – I did so enjoy reading about summer at this bleak time of year, and I completely agree that it was the non-saccharine nature of the relationship between Sophia and her grandmother that made it a special book.
It sounds so wonderful. I love the bit about the storm. I have this one and really need to read it soon. I wish I could read about ten books at a time.
I just read Danielle’s review and then find yours! I’ve already added The Summer Book to my wish list, but may click back over and go ahead and order it. My attempts to stick to library books and my own stacks keep getting interrupted by reviews of books that I can’t resist!
I think I would LOVE this one. Wonderful review Iliana.
This one sounds really atmospheric and interesting. That’s the kind of book I can really get into this time of year (and in this snowy/icy weather!). 🙂
I’ve always wanted to read this author. Something about stories written in Iceland/Finland/Sweden seem to lend to a great atmosphere.
I dream of summer…
I very much enjoyed the relationship between Sophia and Grandmother. It was real and not sickly sweet. And poor Sophia, she was rather distraught when she thought the storm was her fault.
I hear you, Care, I dream of summer, too! We have a HUGE snowstorm headed our way…
Anyway, Iliana, since this is your blog… lol… Great review. I have never heard of this book before but I am now intrigued!
A lovely review of a lovely book! I’m in awe of Tove’s writing.
This sounds really good. The Gulf of Finland sounds liek an interesting setting. Great review 😉
I liked the storm scene very much as well; it shows Sophia learning her small place in the world, and that’s a hard lesson. I thought this was a beautiful book.
Anbolyn – Thank you!
Litlove- I didn’t get a chance to visit your blog today but I’m definitely looking forward to your review. Hope to see you on the forum as well 🙂
vivienne – I wish I could too! Maybe my stacks would actually get smaller. ha.
jenclair – I know what you mean. I keep buying and borrowing. It’s insane!
Diane – It’s really good. I hope you’ll be able to check it out!
Andi – I know, I heard about the weather you guys in Dallas got. It got cold here but luckily no ice – at least not yet.
Sandy – True! I do love my Scandinavian thrillers I’m always reading but it was good to read a “regular” novel you know.
Care – Me too 🙂
Stefanie – They had such a cool relationship didn’t they? I thought the grandmother sometimes not only saw Sophia as a child but the adult she would become.
Kailana – Stay warm! Our temperatures are pretty cold at least for us and especially a shock since it was so warm over the weekend. Good time to pick up a book that reminds you of warmer, sunny times.
Nymeth – You’ve read this one too right? I really would like to read something else by her. Even her children’s books. I’d like to see how she approached a younger audience.
bookworm – I know right? I think I must have mentioned to my husband a few times how I want to go there! haha…
Dorothy W. – So true. I thought she conveyed the agitation she was going through so well and I could just picture little Sophia thinking it was all her doing.
I thought Sophia’s grandmother was very cool indeed, even if a bit curmudgeonly. I have a feeling I would be the sort of adult that would be more of an “adult” and telling a child–no, don’t do that, but her grandmother wasn’t like that at all. Children need adults like that in their lives (not to say she wasn’t looking out for her, but just not treating her like she didn’t have the abilities to do harder things). And like everyone else–I really liked this one!
I think one of my favourite bits is the visit from Bernice, but I seem to be saying that about every bit – the sea palace, the cat, the magic forest, the storm, the fireworks 🙂 Just so much to enjoy, with big queries about life worked in as you said.