Reviews

The Summer Book by Tove Jansson

ashby7m's review against another edition

funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

apullabhotla's review against another edition

5.0

This book (?) is just vibes with no plot and exquisite writing (some of the paragraphs are so !) The Crooks, Playing Venice, Sophie’s Storm, and Magic Forest are probably my favorite chapters. I just love how real the relationship between Sophie and her grandmother feels, and the nature, ah to crawl in a forest and sleep in the never-setting sun

davechua's review against another edition

4.0

A pleasurable read by the creator of Moomin. Vignettes of growing up and life with grandparents. I can understand why it's so beloved.

alina_hnb's review against another edition

funny inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

snnvos's review against another edition

lighthearted

3.75

itsradsmads's review

funny reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

courtwj's review

hopeful lighthearted reflective slow-paced

3.75

sasha99's review against another edition

4.5

a really short and easy read, reminded me of Where the Crawdads Sing and The Offing. Lovely descriptions of a Finnish Archipelago island and a relationship between grandma and child. Lots of short very readable chapters and it seems the chapters are different summers (although the granddaughter is still a child in all the chapters). I think I’d have liked it in chronological order or at least to know the years so you can see the character growth of the girl and the grandma getting older. It might be that this book is from the 50s/60s so putting in the years would age it, when actually the story is wholesome and timeless. Also an afterword for the 50th anniversary edition is by Sophia Janssen (name of granddaughter) which makes me think maybe it was based on true events, and Sophia mentions going to the island with her grandchildren now aw. Overall enjoyed and would read it again.

lucymudie's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

lauha_aaltonen's review against another edition

3.0

Tunnelmallinen kesäklassikko, jossa ei oikeestaan tapahdu mitään, mutta vibat on hyvät