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Tove Jansson

The Summer Book

Tove JanssonFiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1972

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Book Brief

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Tove Jansson

The Summer Book

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1972
Book Details
Pages

172

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Finnish Archipelago • 1970s

Publication Year

1972

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

13+ years

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Super Short Summary

The Summer Book by Tove Jansson is a series of 22 vignettes set on an island in the Gulf of Finland, featuring six-year-old Sophia and her grandmother as they navigate everyday activities and the complexities of their relationship. The novel tenderly explores themes of loss, healing, aging, and the special bond between grandparent and grandchild through their shared experiences and imaginative adventures.

Contemplative

Serene

Nostalgic

Bittersweet

Emotional

Reviews & Readership

4.2

48,524 ratings

75%

Loved it

19%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

The Summer Book by Tove Jansson is praised for its evocative portrayal of nature and the tender relationship between a grandmother and her granddaughter. Reviewers commend the lyrical prose and quiet, contemplative narrative. However, some find the plotless style slow and uneventful, which may not suit all readers. Overall, it’s highly regarded for its emotional depth and serene atmosphere.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Summer Book?

A reader who enjoys The Summer Book by Tove Jansson likely appreciates contemplative, character-driven narratives set in nature. Similar readers might enjoy the reflective storytelling found in Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring or the nuanced human connections in Our Souls at Night by Kent Haruf.

4.2

48,524 ratings

75%

Loved it

19%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

172

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Finnish Archipelago • 1970s

Publication Year

1972

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

13+ years

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