Notes from an Island
(Author) Tove JanssonIn the bitter winds of autumn 1963, Tove Jansson, helped by Brunström, a maverick fisherman, raced to build a cabin on a treeless skerry in the Gulf of Finland. The island was Klovharun, and for thirty summers Tove and her beloved partner, the graphic artist, Tuulikki Pietilä, retreated there to live, paint and write, energised by the shifting seascapes and the island's austere rocky charms.Notes from an Island, written in 1996, is both a chronicle of this period and a paean to the mature love that Tove and 'Tuuti' shared for their island and for each other. Tove's spare prose, and Tuulikki's subtle washes and aquatints combine to form a work of meditative and plangent beauty.
Tove Jansson
Tove Jansson (1914-2001) was a Finnish-Swedish author, artist, and illustrator best known for creating the Moomin series, a collection of whimsical and philosophical children's books that have become beloved worldwide. Her writing style is characterized by its wit, warmth, and deep empathy for her characters. Jansson's contributions to literature include challenging traditional gender roles and exploring complex themes such as friendship, family, and the nature of happiness. Her most famous work, "The Moomins and the Great Flood," introduced readers to the endearing Moomin family and their fantastical adventures, setting the stage for a successful series that continues to captivate readers of all ages. Jansson's impact on the literary genre of children's literature is immeasurable, as her work continues to inspire generations of readers and writers alike.