The Summer Book

 

The Summer Book by Tove Jansson (of Moomin fame) reads like a playful picture book. Jansson's writing is calming, like something intended to keep a child soothed and interested, but also has a tinge of nostalgia in it that is clearly catered for adults. 

The relationship between Sophia and her grandmother is loving, though often surprising (at least to an American) as the two often swap roles and subvert traditional expectations of what a granddaughter and grandmother should behave to one another. When they speak, Sophia (and sometimes the grandmother, too) uses jarring, harsh language that often made me question whether it was intentional or a strange translation choice. She often swears, or "screams" at her grandmother when she disagrees, and displays the selfish cruelty that children have, but are almost never portrayed with, in almost every interaction she has. Grandmother, on the other hand, balances patience with carelessness, seesawing between being Sophia's constant playmate and equal, to her guardian and mentor. 

Overall, it's a pleasant little collection of short vignettes that's perfect for a dreamy summer afternoon spent outside or near a window, close to nature. With Jansson's lovely descriptions of the island, and her adorable illustrations, it's almost certain you'll feel transported to the little Finnish oasis, and to feel your heart rate slow to a pleasanter, calmer, (happier?) tempo.

The Talk of the Town

The author, Ardal O'Hanlon, is described on the back cover as an "award-winning stand-up comedian and actor...best known for his portrayal as loveable dimwith Father Dougal Maguire in Channel 4's comedy, Father Ted", which led me to expect a lighthearted, sarcastic romp of a novel. But turns out O'Hanlon's first go at writing was much more nuanced than that. Quite gritty and obscene, it's a realistic (as far as a 30-something asian lady in America can tell) look at what it means to be a teenager/young adult in middle class Ireland. 

It reminds me a bit of a handful of TV shows that have gained popularity recently. Netflix's Adolescence, for instance, is quite similar in addressing boys' angst and the irrational mood swings that go on inside their heads. In the same way, this story ultimately ends in violence with an unclear, yet certain sense of doom that hangs in the air, weighing the consequences of uncalculated outbursts. I wonder if the novel inspired the show in any way.

Anyway, it's a modern novel that is easy to read in terms of length and jargon...so at times I felt reprieve in reading something from this list that never felt pretentious. I never felt bored or disliked the plot, yet it isn't something I think I would tap for a re-read. Perhaps I can find something more upbeat for my next read.