Notes from an Island

‘It’s hard to describe the astonishing achievement of Tove Jansson’s artistry’ - Ali Smith‘A treasure trove of wry and profound reflections on nature, love, art and the wonder of being alive’ - Waterstones Says‘Both a memoir and a love letter to all things wild and weathered’ - New Statesman‘These wry and winsome autobiographical sketches demonstrate the couple’s virtuosity in the art of living…as evocative as a long-lost coastline glimpsed through mist.’ - Nancy Campbell‘The Summer Book’s limpid style belies a deep psychological subtlety. It’s about how people can live close together for months with tact and grace, and about how rich and rewarding even a small world can be.’ - Melissa Harrison

Tove Jansson (1914-2001) is best known as the creator of the world famous Moomin stories and as author of The Summer Book. For more than forty years she shared her life with the graphic artist and professor, Tuulikki Pietila (1917-2009). Klovharun was their summer island refuge.