They really are wonderful books. My sister identified with Little My (a tiny, fiercely independent creature) and we all loved Snufkin, who wandered in and out of the Moomins’ lives seasonally, chasing tunes. It’s as though Jansson could describe archetypes we never realized existed! Let me know what you think?
I discovered Tove and the Moomins through my husband, whose family grew up with their stories, and each had their own mug with a moomin character assigned to them (he was Snufkin, and still is very Snufkin. When I joined the family I was given Mimble, to my delight).
I was hooked. The stories are so beautiful, timeless and perfectly for adults too. They explain everything most difficult about the world. Then you get to know Tove's story and it's heartbreaking. I had the privilege of going to Finland and the museum about her work, then being delighted all over again to find people in Japan also loved her. Now we read the stories to our daughter, she continues to bring light and dark into the world in bittersweet proximity.
Thank you for this lovely post—I really enjoy how you write about each book. And glad I found your Substack!
I think Tove’s observations of humanity are so spot on that she translates almost universally. She captured the Groke’s desperate, destructive need so simply and perfectly that it helped me understand what was happening when a real-life Groke came into my life years later. What a gift. Maybe someday I’ll make it to Finland myself to give tribute.
This was such a delightful write up. I’ve long heard about the Moomin books and characters but never sought them out. I’m definitely going to now.
They really are wonderful books. My sister identified with Little My (a tiny, fiercely independent creature) and we all loved Snufkin, who wandered in and out of the Moomins’ lives seasonally, chasing tunes. It’s as though Jansson could describe archetypes we never realized existed! Let me know what you think?
I discovered Tove and the Moomins through my husband, whose family grew up with their stories, and each had their own mug with a moomin character assigned to them (he was Snufkin, and still is very Snufkin. When I joined the family I was given Mimble, to my delight).
I was hooked. The stories are so beautiful, timeless and perfectly for adults too. They explain everything most difficult about the world. Then you get to know Tove's story and it's heartbreaking. I had the privilege of going to Finland and the museum about her work, then being delighted all over again to find people in Japan also loved her. Now we read the stories to our daughter, she continues to bring light and dark into the world in bittersweet proximity.
Thank you for this lovely post—I really enjoy how you write about each book. And glad I found your Substack!
I’m glad you found it too!
I think Tove’s observations of humanity are so spot on that she translates almost universally. She captured the Groke’s desperate, destructive need so simply and perfectly that it helped me understand what was happening when a real-life Groke came into my life years later. What a gift. Maybe someday I’ll make it to Finland myself to give tribute.