3.35k reviews for:

Sommarboken

Tove Jansson

4.0 AVERAGE

biblioslut's review against another edition

3.75

lighthearted reflective relaxing

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Excellent for a literary brain detox!

joraud's review against another edition

2.5

dark reflective sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

mientienpien's review against another edition

4.5

funny inspiring lighthearted reflective slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

gaycat's review against another edition

3.5

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i like it but it takes some getting used to. ive been reading stone butch blues for a while now which has one story that is stretched over the book while this one goes from one thing to the other. i feel like it fits with tove janssons writing style from what ive read of the moomin series. the stories in this book are insightful and sweet. so i appreciate the book as it is but im not too sure abt the writing style. 

leni123abc's review against another edition

3.5

lighthearted fast-paced

torafo's review against another edition

4.25

funny lighthearted reflective relaxing 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: Yes

omantienlukija's review against another edition

4.0

slow-paced

sakuramelodybooks's review against another edition

4.0

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Listening to the audiobook of The Summer Book was a quiet delight—the narrator brought just the right tone to this gentle, wise, and subtly humorous story. Set on a small Finnish island, the novel captures the relationship between a sharp, slightly sarcastic grandmother and her curious granddaughter over the course of one summer. There’s no traditional plot; instead, it's a series of vivid, meditative vignettes about nature, childhood, aging, and the understated poetry of everyday life. The grandmother, in particular, stood out—practical yet philosophical, witty yet deeply tender in her own way. It’s a book full of space and stillness, offering observations that feel simple on the surface but carry emotional depth. A beautiful, contemplative read that speaks to readers of all ages—from thoughtful middle graders to reflective adult.

allegratate's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Loveable characters: Yes

amandajoy's review against another edition

4.0

emotional reflective slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated