Saying death is a major theme in The Summer Book makes it sound like it will be a massive downer but nothing could be further from the truth. Death does turn up quite often but it's par for the course with this premise. The book introduces us to the relationship between a grandmother and her granddaughter. The grandmother is nearing the end of her life and the little girl lost her mother. So, it's understandable why both of them are slightly preoccupied with death. However, this is a book that is absolutely brimming with life. We experience summer days with the pair as they go about their life on a remote island in the Gulf of Finland. The book is divided into 22 short stories as we see them go on adventures and talk about the big things in life. I know it doesn't sound like an awful lot but this is a book that packs a punch when you aren't expecting it.

It's a book that captures the nothingness of summer when you're at an age where everything is the most important thing. Sophia is a young girl with an inquisitive mind. She has her own thoughts and isn't afraid to stand up for them. Her grandmother is gentle and patient with the young girl. She knows exactly what to say to calm her. It's such a beautiful relationship that captures the closeness of different generations. Sophia and her grandmother are obviously from a different era, but the themes are still so relevant today. It's a joy to spend summer with them as they traverse the island and discuss things like religion and love.

This book never becomes overly sentimental, though. It's cute and utterly charming, but it still has bite. Sophia is a stubborn young thing, and there is occasional conflict. Of course, this is meant to be a book that focuses on the little things in life and the simplistic joys that can be found. This is a nostalgic book that I can see everyone finding some comfort in. The life it describes might not be the same as your own. However, it's easy to see yourself in Sophia's position. That's what makes this book such a wonderful read. It presents a universal experience despite being so closely tied to a location. It discusses some unwritten rules of island life, which will seem strange to most people. But it's an interesting glimpse into the author's own life. The island depicted here is very similar to the one she lived on herself.

I listened to the audiobook version, and it was a great choice. Julie Walters really brought warmth to the tales and made the characters come alive. The tales are self-contained, and there's no real overarching narrative. There's also no obvious timeline. We don't know if the stories are in order, but it doesn't matter. It just adds to the timeless feel of The Summer Book. It's beautifully written and so lovely to read. I can definitely recommend this as a quick summer read. I'm glad I finally got around to it.