Thoughts at the half way point of The Summer Book

There is always something slightly difficult about reading a book that has been described as a 'masterpiece'. You start looking for the signs of brilliance from the start and when they don't instantly fail to appear you start to worry.

In some ways what takes some time is to get into the rhythm of this book. Just like a long slow summer holiday this is a collection of experiences enjoyed by the two main characters the Grandmother and her six-year-old granddaughter Sophia.

They live together along with Sophia's father, who remains in the background, on an island that is so small they know every inch of its rocky and mossy landscape. They create their own worlds, myths and traditions as the summer unfolds...