Rhubarb Lemonade
Oskar Kroon
Translated by Annie Prime
Age 12 +
Paperback
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08 June 2023Imprint: Hot Key Books
Synopsis
An award-winning novel about family old and new, friendship growing into romance, the beauty of the sea and a hot summer on a Swedish island
Vinga dreams of the sea. She's going to be a sailor when she grows up, sailing to distant lands. At home, back in the city, Mum is sad and Dad has left for good. But here with Granddad on the island, all her problems feel far away. Summer goes on as usual, with porridge for breakfast, drinking rhubarb lemonade under the lilac tree and watching the sunset from 'her' cliff.
But things are different now too. The heat vibrates during the day, and a girl with a black hat has started appearing. Her name is Ruth. The only thing they seem to have in common is their age and that they are both on the island for the summer. But spending time together, their friendship soon turns out to be something much more.
Rhubarb Lemonade is story filled with empathy and heart about an unusual summer when childhood comes to an end.
Translated from the original Swedish by A. A. Prime.
Vinga dreams of the sea. She's going to be a sailor when she grows up, sailing to distant lands. At home, back in the city, Mum is sad and Dad has left for good. But here with Granddad on the island, all her problems feel far away. Summer goes on as usual, with porridge for breakfast, drinking rhubarb lemonade under the lilac tree and watching the sunset from 'her' cliff.
But things are different now too. The heat vibrates during the day, and a girl with a black hat has started appearing. Her name is Ruth. The only thing they seem to have in common is their age and that they are both on the island for the summer. But spending time together, their friendship soon turns out to be something much more.
Rhubarb Lemonade is story filled with empathy and heart about an unusual summer when childhood comes to an end.
Translated from the original Swedish by A. A. Prime.
Details
08 June 2023
9781471413124Imprint: Hot Key Books
Reviews
"Enchanting novel [...] Kroon writes with brilliant psychological acuity, slowly spinning out the gentle, absorbing suspense of their [Vinga and Ruth's] intensifying friendship, as Vinga slowly lets down her guard".
This coming-of age story is beautifully observed.
I loved this book! It perfectly captures that delicate departure from childhood and entry into adulthood.
There is much to love [...] the ease of language, poetic intensity, precision in tone.
