A Novel. Foreword by Esther Freud.
First published in Swedish as Sommarboken (1972). Translated from the Swedish by Thomas Teal (1974). Published in 2003 by Sort Of Books, reprinted seven times in 2003. London: Sort Of Books 2003. Paperback, 176 pages.
Cover Photos: Tove and Lars Jansson’s island and house, © Per Olof Jansson.

Even if I've never read the English translation, I'm sharing my thoughts in the journal of The Summer Book I've registered and released years ago. So I think it's enough if I say here that I just love this story. It is great.

Blurbs:
ECCENTRIC, FUNNY, WISE, FULL OF JOYS
AND SMALL ADVENTURES. THIS IS A BOOK FOR LIFE.
ESTHER FREUD
An elderly artist and her six-year-old granddaughter while away a summer together on a tiny island in the gulf of Finland. Gradually, the two learn to adjust to each other’s fears, whims and yearnings for independence, and a fierce yet understated love emerges — one that encompasses not only the summer inhabitants but the island itself, with its mossy rocks, windswept firs and unpredictable seas.
Full of brusque humour and wisdom, The Summer Book is a profoundly life-affirming story. Tove Jansson captured much of her own experience and spirit in the book, which was her favourite of the novels she wrote for adults. This new editions sees the return of a European literary gem — fresh, authentic and deeply humane.

About the author:
The writer and artist TOVE JANSSON (1914—2001) is best known as the creator of the Moomin stories, which have been published in thirty-five languages. The Summer Book was one of ten novels that she wrote for adults. It is regarded as a modern classic throughout Scandinavia.

Jansson, Tove (1914 – 2001) at The National Biography of Finland
Tove Jansson at Sort of Books
Tove, tovejansson.com
Tove Jansson at Wikipedia

The Summer Book at Sort of Books
The Sumer Book at Wkikipedia
The Summer Book, Review by Ali Smith at The Guardian

The Summer Book was one of my July offers in greenbadger's One book a month thread and won by mcsar.
HAPPY READING!

Thank you for sending me the book. Learning that it is one of your all-time favourites intrigues me more. And looking at the book cover, I yearns for an island holiday. The book has to jump to the reading queue while summer is here.

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Updated May 6, 2018

I started reading this book a long while ago. It has taken me a long time to finish because I was saving it. I did not want the book to end. The book is very charming and very sweet. I am in love with Sophia and Grandmother. The author captures the childhood innocence and sense of adventure very well, and the wisdom of Grandmother. It made me miss my grandmother so much. Thank you Tarna for sharing this with me.

On its way to the winner of the Maritime Sweepstakes. Congratulations. I hope you enjoy this one as much as I did.

Thank you for the book, the sticky notes and stickers! :)

I enjoyed this collection of little stories. It makes you wish you had a grandmother like Sophia's. :-)

Surprise! A wishlist book for you! Enjoy! :-)

Thank you very much for including this wishlist book in the post when I won the July 2018 greeting card sweepstake.