Product Description

In the deep winter snows of a Swedish hamlet, a strange young woman fakes a break-in at the house of an elderly artist in order to persuade her that she needs companionship. But what does she hope to gain by doing this? And who ultimately is deceiving whom? In this portrayal of two women grappling with truth and lies, nothing can be taken for granted. By the time the snow thaws, both their lives will have changed irrevocably.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #340 in Books
• Published on: 2009-10-22
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 224 pages

Review
'This translation of a powerful psychological thriller in a snowy Swedish landscape is chilling in every sense' -- Saga Magazine

'Even admirers of [Tove Jansson's] work will be impressed by the stark sophistication of "The True Deceiver"' --Irish Times

"A brilliantly realised evocation of a place blanketed by snow written in a prose that is never flat or dull" Katie Law, Evening --Katie Law, Evening Standard

'A delightfully dark winter's tale...the novel tracks an intense relationship between two strong-minded women.' --Emma Hagestadt, Independent

'An absorbing and subtle novel from the woman best known for creating the Moomin stories.' --Daily Express

'Jansson's tale deserves as wide a readership as her beloved children's books featuring the Moomins.'
--Kamila Shamsie, the Guardian's best books of 2009

'The most beautiful and satisfying novel I have read this year'
--Ursula K Le Guin, Guardian

About the Author
The writer and artist TOVE JANSSON (1914–2001) is best known as the creator of the Moomin stories, which have been published in thirty-five languages – and are having a major relaunch through Puffin. However, for the last three decades of her life, from 1968, she turned her attention to writing for adults. Her bestseller, The Summer Book, is a modern Scandinavian classic and has sold nearly 100,000 copies in the UK alone.

Customer Reviews

Tove Jansson--The True Deceiver
The Finnish,Swedish-speaking,Tove Jansson is
known for her children's Moomin stories.Her
'Summer Book'and 'A Winter Book' have also been
translated into English and very well received.
The latest novel to be translated,'The True
Deceiver' is a beautifully and sparsely written
tale about truth.lies,deception and art,that
lingers long in the mind after completion.
Set in a snowy Swedish village,Katri is an
outsider living with her simple-minded brother.
She is brutally frank and has no time for social
niceties.Anna is an elderly artist living isolated
in a large house in the village.When she needs
assistance Katri (and her brother)move in with her,
and gradually proceed to shatter the other's perceptions.
A marvellous and unusual book.

Chilling Winter read
This novel tells the story of a small village which is relatively cut off by snow and ice. Katri and her brother Mats live above one of the shops but she decides that they should move to the large Rabbit House near the woods. Problematically the house is owned by reclusive author Anna who spends her days writinig letters and waiting for Spring to come so that she can illustrate her children's books.

The isolation of each of the characters for differing reasons combined with the oppresive blanket of snow and ice over everything make it a chilling read. The deceiver of the title appears to be Katri as she manipulates her way into Anna's life and clears the way for her ambitions.

This is a brilliant read, perfect for cold winter days. Its not quite a psychological thriller but all the elements are there; The characters get more suspicious and wary of each other throughout the novel. A great atmospheric read.

Wonderfully spare
All Tove Jansson's adult stories published in UK to date are magic, and this is of the same quality. An excellent introduction by Ali Smith sets the scene well for what to expect, and the story itself never disappoints. This is wonderful hone-down writing at it's best. In very few words, you soon feel you know the characters and the settings well, and the author through them, explores many areas of honesty, self-knowledge, social mores, and integrity. A very satisfying read