{"product_id":"9780954221713","title":"The Summer Book : A Novel","description":"\u003cp\u003eTove Jansson's classic, bestselling novel'Distils the essence of summer' Robert Macfarlane'Magical, life-affirming' Elizabeth Gilbert The Worldwide Classic about a tiny island and larger love. An elderly artist and her six-year-old grand-daughter while away a summer together on a tiny island in the gulf of Finland. As the two learn to adjust to each other's fears, whims and yearnings, a fierce yet understated love emerges - one that encompasses not only the summer inhabitants but the very island itself. Written in a clear, unsentimental style, full of brusque humour, and wisdom, The Summer Book is a profoundly life-affirming story. Tove Jansson captured much of her own life and spirit in the book, which was her favourite of her adult novels. With a foreword by Esther Freud and an afterword by Sophia Jansson (on whom the child 'Sophia' is based) who returns to the island during the pandemic at the point of becoming a grandmother herself. Includes a 15pp epilogue by Tove's niece Sophia Jansson - the inspiration for 'Sophia' - on a personal and moving return to the island. 'Eccentric, funny, wise, full of joys and small adventures. This is a book for life.' Esther Freud'Tove Jansson was a genius. This is a marvellous, beautiful, wise novel, which is also very funny.' Philip Pullman\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Shelf-Made.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52063909544264,"sku":"9780954221713","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0907\/1260\/5000\/files\/9780954221713_d5cbffbe-275b-45ef-8d08-e156240c6420.jpg?v=1764086727","url":"https:\/\/shelfmadebooks.com\/products\/9780954221713","provider":"Shelf-Made.","version":"1.0","type":"link"}