A review by sakuramelodybooks
The Summer Book by Tove Jansson

4.0

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.