Notes from an Island

I absolutely loved this short listen and was so captivated, by the story and the telling, that I listened to it in one sitting. Sandi Toksvig was perfect as the narrator, her Scandinavian background allowing her to add depth to the narrative and pronunciation. This is a memoir of dedication and love in isolation. I had no idea that Tove gave the world the Moomins and I shall view those creatures in a different context, Tove and Tooti want to work on their artistic projects away from people. .Their first attempt fails because the isolated aspect becomes so popular with visitors that some stay….They find another skerry and set about building a cabin and this is the story of that work against the odds. The descriptions really capture the stark reality of life on the edge of a cold and bleak ocean. I loved the intimate detail about carving a tiny wooden salt spoon; one can sense their dedication, perseverance and talent. It’s haunting and memorable and although short, it’s profound.

Tove Jansson was a well known Swedish speaking Finnish author/illustrator whose charming memoir Notes from an Island highlights over thirty years where she and her life partner Tuulikki (Tooti) Pietala spent six months out of each year on a remote atoll 30 miles west of Helsinki.
Jansson is best known for her creation of the Moomintroll family which are beloved children’s books
widely translated into many languages. Tooti, one of Finland’s great graphic artists also benefited from the experience of living in such a wild place. In sparse prose Jansson chronicles the discovery of the atoll and the decision with help from a group of local seaman to construct a sturdy cabin where the couple lived, wrote , fished and drew inspiration for their joint artistic efforts. The reader receives a unique glimpse into the sometimes humorous and challenging life of living on a rocky outcropping in the middle of a rough sea. While previously available only in print this new audio edition is brilliantly interpreted by Sandi Toksvig whose expressive voice handles the challenges of the many Finnish words intertwined in the text.

This is a fascinating short memoir by Tove Jansson, when she and her friend lived on a completely remote island in Scandinavia. I can't even imagine the work and the isolation and the adventure! Tove Jansson has a beautiful, haunting writing voice and Sandy Tokvig is one of my favorite people so the audiobook is a delight!
I highly recommend this to pretty much anyone!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the audio ARC!