TEE SUMMER PASTURES

This book goes to prove that a summer vacation on a farm in Sweden can be equally if not more relaxed and aimless than one any place else. The only continuity is provided by Lars Beckman's wish, Shared by his younger sister Maja, to ac company their father to the summer pastures -- a simple enough ambition it would seem. An uncle tells them a parable which indicates that the simple, plodding agricultural life is the most worthy and the children are informed that they must prove themselves deserving of the trip. Lars and Maja, along with their friend Tomas, don't do anything more responsible than to trifle away at their innocuous, not very imaginative amusements and the ultimate prize is awarded pretty, much as a foregone conclusion. The three children are drawn to the life and the warm pastoral setting is well described but the action is just too casual, and no more vital than a mid-summer snooze.