Jansson, Tove
About the Author:
Tove Jansson was borin in Helsingtors, Finland, in 1914. She studied painting in Finland, Sweden and France. Jansson died in June 2001.
AVERAGE REVIEW SCORE:
3.5 out of 5
(2 books)
Finn Family Moomintroll
This book begins with the Moomin family, and their extended family of houseguests, awakening after hibernating through the winter. They soon acquire the Hobgoblin's Hat, a magical object which starts them on a series of adventures.
Tove Jansson's masterstroke in writing the adventures of the Moomins and their friends is to give the tales a gentle feeling of emotional warmth that pervades everything that happens. No matter what trials and tribulations the characters encounter, the love and affection that they hold for each other shines through and makes everything feel like a metaphorical hug. Even the gentle melancholy of Snufkin leaving Moominvalley turns to warm anticipation of Snufkin's eventual return.
All that is not to say that this is just a fluffy story, however, and there are moments of genuine darkness within it. Be it Moomintroll's emotional distress when the Hat transforms him physically so that no-one recognises him, or the scarier moments provided by the weird Hattifatteners or the terrifying Groke. It adds a depth of menace to the whimsical adventures that serves to keep them engaging.
A final note of appreciation must go to the Muskrat, who is annoyed by everyone and everything and who may well be my spirit animal.
3 out of 5
Moominvalley In November
A story of the Finn family Moomintroll (simply The Moomins to those of us who grew up watching the cartoon) or, more accurately, a story of their friends and neighbours. As Autumn sets in and Winter approaches; Snufkin, Fillyjonk, Mymble, Hemulen, Grandpa-Grumble and Toft all make their separate ways to Moominvalley, drawn on by their memories of the open-hearted hospitality of Moominpappa and Moominmamma. However, they discover that the family Moomintroll is away from home and are forced to find company in each other.
This a beautifully written book and Jansson perfectly captures that feeling of the year winding-down that the transition of Autumn into Winter creates. There's a sort of a wistful sadness that permeates this book in the way that the damp and chill of November creeps into your life. But rather than depressing, this book is buoyed-up by some wonderful scenes of warmth and companionship which take even the characters themselves by surprise.
I think that what I liked most about this book is that each of the characters, whilst whimsical caricatures, have very human antisocial tendencies. Snufkin is a loner and a wanderer, Fillyjonk is a bit OCD, Mymble is too blunt with her honesty, Hemulen feels awkward and inadequate, Grandpa-Grumble is curmudgeonly and Toft is timid. Just about any reader will see themselves reflected in one or other of these characters, which serves to draw your heart wholesale into the brief and wonderful moments of joy scatttered throughout the story.
Read as either fable or allegory, this is a perfectly delightful book.
4 out of 5
Read more...
Fantasy (here)