This is a lovely lovely book about two women who live together yet separately, work separately but together, and discuss (or don't discuss) the deep and meaningful things of life with each other, and with friends, relatives and strangers, in that laconic, efficient and profound way that the Finns have. The romantic reader will want to believe that Mari and Jonna in the book are basically Tove Jansson herself and her partner Tuulikki Pietilä, be that as it may, you will reach the last page cheering for any long-term relationship or marriage as intimate and successful as the one depicted here.