Rhubarb Lemonade

Vinga is a loner and is happy to spend the summer on a tranquil island off the Swedish coast with her beloved grandfather, leaving her troubles at home. Following her parents’ separation, things have been tough: Mum is sad all the time, and although Vinga desperately misses Dad, she is also angry with him for leaving to start a new family with Angelica. In contrast, everything feels safe and familiar on the island, from the rhubarb lemonade Vinga sips in the shade of the lilac bush, to Grandpa’s regular Wednesday night trip to the village pub. 

Vinga loves the sea and dreams of being a sailor like Grandpa, so is delighted when he gives her an old dinghy. As she repairs the boat to make it seaworthy, she meets Ruth, who is confident, chatty and hates the slow pace of island life. Despite their differences, the girls strike up an unexpected friendship, which leads to romance and Vinga’s first kiss.

Translated from Swedish, this gentle novel beautifully captures the transition from childhood to young adulthood. A wealth of complex emotions are sensitively explored, including the pain of family break-up, the devastation of bereavement and the excitement of first love.