Well, I thought I might read a Moomin book or two for Moomin week but ended up going on an absolute binge where I finished reading all the novels — six of them this summer in addition to the two I’d read previously. I did it in a completely mixed up order, thus:
- Finn Family Moomintroll (2 in series, 1948) translated by Elizabeth Portch
- Moominsummer Madness (4 in series, 1954) translated by Thomas Warburton
- Moominpappa’s Memoirs (3 in series, 1950) translated by Thomas Warburton
- Tales from Moominvalley (6 in series, 1962) translated by Thomas Warburton
- Moominland Midwinter (5 in series, 1957) translated by Thomas Warburton
- Moominvalley in November (8 in series, 1970) translated by Kingsley Hart
- Comet in Moominland (1 in series, 1946) translated by Elizabeth Portch
- Moominpappa at Sea (7 in series, 1965) translated by Kingsley Hart
Can’t get much more out of order than that! And I finished up by reading The Moomins and the Great Flood (1945), translated by David McDuff, a picture book that is is more of a prelude – the characters have not yet settled into their familiar forms, and the style and tone is quite different from the later books. Interesting to see that the spooky Hattifatteners were there from the beginning, though.
I would now like to read through the series in order, to observe how Jansson’s writing developed over time. However, I don’t think reading in order is essential, with the possible exception of Moominpappa’s Memoirs, where it is helpful to know who some of the characters are before learning about the history of their parents.
I did find that I enjoyed the later books quite a bit more. The earlier ones are more randomly silly — Comet in Moominland in particular is a weird, if inventive, combination of whimsy and horror, while I remember Moominsummer Madness and Finn Family Moomintroll as being pleasant, imaginative diversions that did not leave a strong impression on me.
However, the later books became more deliberately crafted, increasingly beautiful and even profound. I think that my favorite, pending a reread, was Moominland Midwinter, in which Moomintroll, who normally hibernates with his family, wakes up and experiences winter for the first time. This is basically a postapocalyptic scenario that at first horrifies him, but slowly he grows into his new environment, makes new friends, and discovers untapped resources in himself. And he gets to experience the joy of spring coming again, rather than simply waking up with it already there. It’s a lovely story about finding life and hope in an unfamiliar situation, something we could all stand to learn right now.
I also particularly enjoyed Tales from Moominvalley, shorter works that each concentrated on a different character, containing many gems of sly humor and psychological insight. Plus, we finally learn about what really happened when Moominpappa sailed away with the Hattifatteners, a mysterious and traumatic event first hinted at in the Great Flood story and haunting many of the others.
The last two books, Moominpappa at Sea and Moominvalley in November, bring in an increasingly melancholic, indeed “Novemberish” tone, that I would imagine is more appealing to adults than children. But the whole series is a genius mix of elements that appeal to all ages, pointing to the innocence in the adult and the maturity of the child. These are books for humans, or for the Moomin in all of us, not for some segregated age group.
As well as tying in with the Moomin celebration, I am glad to have a chance to participate in the event honoring women in translation. Tove Jansson is now one of those translated authors of whom I have read the most, including several of her works published for adults, and I’ve loved all of them.
Several translators worked on the Moomin books, and I’m not sure whether the differences I detected between them were due to the original or to a different translator’s style. I wonder what the story was behind the choice of different translators — if anyone knows, please inform me.
I had a truly marvelous time with the Moomins this summer, and if you read one or more of the books, please let me know so I can check out your posts.
Thank you so much for this lovely post Lory! How wonderful (and impressive) that you were able to read all the books. I love how these books (as you’ve observed too) have elements to appeal to all ages as the best children’s books do. One can enjoy them on so many levels!
Thanks to you and Chris and Paula for the inspiration! I read six books this summer, two were read in previous years. They were just delightful for summer reading so I think I’ll have to do a complete reread in some future summer. Yes, so many elements to enjoy at many levels.
I agree with you that the later ones are increasingly profound and melancholic, my favourites are Midwinter and November. But it was such fun reading them out loud to my children when they were small and remembering all the fun I had as a child with them!
I missed out on those pleasures as I didn’t ever read them as a child. Your children are lucky to have that read-aloud experience.
Lovely!
My post will be live tomorrow, the first day of #Moominweek. I listened to and reviewed 2 books!
And I see it will lovely to go on with the series.
Oh good, I’ll check it out.
A wonderful overview, Lory, and a splendid opening for Moomin Week – you encapsulate a lot of what it is that fascinates us fans about the Moomins’ world. I’m keen now to read the two titles remaining to me that you mention here, having just completed ‘Tales’.
There’s an increasing streak of melancholy but also the underlying hope and trust in goodness that makes the series so special. I especially love what happens with the Groke in November.
I’m really curious to see the evolution of the writing in the other volumes.
https://wordsandpeace.com/2024/08/26/two-reviews-for-moominweek-2024/
She certainly did not keep repeating herself in this series.
Wow, you had a real moominfeast, Lory. Great piece! 😀👍
It really was, and I will gladly do it again another summer.
I managed to miss that there had been a Moominfest! What a shame. I love them, though I’m not sure I’ve read all of them. I should dig them out… And do you know that TJ also wrote Moomin comics? I prefer the novels but they are also delightful.
Yes, I checked out a book of the comics from the library because I was curious, but it’s in German and I have not gotten around to it yet.