The Summer Book by Tove Jansson

Better known, of course, for her ever-popular children's creation, the Moomins, Tove Jansson also wrote a number of novels and short stories for adults, this being probably her most well-known and well-loved - and was indeed her own personal favourite.

The main characters, a young girl and her grandmother, are based on Tove's own mother and niece and provide the reader with a brilliantly quirky inter-generational double act, sometimes warm and friendly and sometimes just delightfully spiky and brusque!

They live on a tiny island - almost a character in its own right - in the Gulf of Finland, but instead of claustrophobia you get a sense that it's at least ten times the size, given the adventures that they get up to.

I really enjoyed the way that the book meanders beautifully, and indeed philosophically, through each chapter, whilst quietly navigating through their relational issues, against a backdrop of bereavement.

Soon to be released as a film starring Glenn Close, I recommend this book if you want a beautiful, thought-provoking, and slightly quirky summer read.

David