A Sculptor's Daughter

Tove Jansson’s first book for adults captures her childhood memories, as she grew up in an early-twentieth-century Helsinki that was getting used to independence from Russian rule. The atmospheric book is filled with sharp observations on the mysteries of winter ice, the bonhomie of balaika parties, and the limitless excitement of Christmas viewed from beneath the tree. While Tove learns a lot from her father, her identity as a writer is formed partly in opposition to him – especially when it comes to the subject of women and art.