Back in 2017, on a trip to London to meet up with my old friend J and visit an exhibition of Tove Jansson art, I picked up a copy of “Tales from Moominvalley” (translated by Thomas Warburton). J and I had realised that neither of us owned this slim collection of Moomin stories, and so we snaffled the only two copies in Foyles! It has sat waiting patiently on Mount TBR for its moment, and as the book was published in 1962, that time is now! I must confess, however, that I was in two minds as to whether to read the book for 1962, or whether to save it for MoominWeek which is happening in 2024. However, it’s such a long time since I read some of the tales of these lovely creatures that I couldn’t resist – after all, I can always re-read one of the Moomin adventures next year!
“Tales” is a lovely little collection of nine stories, all featuring the various creations of Jansson who populate Moominvalley. ‘The Spring tune’, for example, features Snufkin and an unnamed little creep; ‘The Fillyjonk who believed in Disasters’ does indeed follow the story of a very highly strung Fillyjonk who anticipates catastrophe everywhere; and in ‘The Hemulen who loved Silence’, the titular character is desperate to get away from the noisy circus in which he works.
As well as these colourful characters, there are several stories featuring the Moomin family, with Moomintroll having plenty of adventures. Whether capturing the last dragon in the world, or helping his family deal with an invisible child, he’s wonderfully engaging, as are the whole Moomin family. Moominpappa has another one of his episodes of going off to explore, and the whole family are unexpectedly dragged out of hibernation to experience Christmas, a festival about which they have no idea!
Each story is tinged with Jansson’s wonderful writing and dry wit; and the book is of course liberally embellished with her drawings of her characters, which are an extra joy. However, as I read through the tales, I couldn’t help be struck again by the underlying sadness of the lives of those living in Moominvalley, an element which I sensed in her main Moomin stories and one which became stronger towards the final books. Many of the characters are unhappy and seem to be seeking a place in life; the creep has no name and feels he won’t exist until he gets one; the Fillyjonk is tied to her possessions, weighed down by them and unable to enjoy life; the invisible child has had an unpleasant childhood; and the Hemulan is desperate to get away from all the noise making him miserable. And ‘The Secret of the Hattifatteners’, which sees Moominpappa running away from home again, has a very strange, dark heart to it, with the titular characters perpetually searching for something they don’t have.
When I read the final Moomin book, “Moominvalley in November”, I was struck by its melancholy, particularly in a book intended for children; and certainly there are similar feelings in this collection. I guess a child reader might read a litle more on surface level, but I certainly see many of the traits on show here as intended to critique the human condition – Jansson was a very clever writer!
Anyway, I’m glad I chose to pick this up now, as I loved being reminded of the strange and wonderful world of the Moomins and their fellow creatures. Jansson had such a vivid and creative imagination, and the characters and settings are so alive here. It’s tempting to think I might go back and start reading the books again from the beginning for MoominWeek in 2024 – we shall see how I feel… 😉
madamebibilophile
Oct 17, 2023 @ 07:22:17
Totally agree Kaggsy, there’s a real melancholy with the Moomins. They’re such unique and wonderful tales and I love Jansson’s art work. I have a lovely illustrated biography lined up for MoominWeek!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 17, 2023 @ 11:03:24
There is and the mixture of her writing and drawings works so well. I may have to invest in that biography for next year…. 😉
Margot Kinberg
Oct 17, 2023 @ 12:20:17
Oh, this looks absolutely lovely! The one thing that strikes me about your review is how good some writers are at creating a few different levels – one for children and deeper ones for adults. That takes skill! I think you picked an excellent #1962 book!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 17, 2023 @ 16:04:33
Absolutely, Margot. You could argue that the best writing for children is that which has layers which adults can pick out, and Jansson certainly achieved that here. I’m glad I chose this one for 1962!
chrisharding53
Oct 17, 2023 @ 14:31:36
As well as reading The Mirror Crack’d from Side to Side (which I didn’t like as much as you did and am about to post), I also read this, and loved it – my thoughts were much the same as your’s.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 17, 2023 @ 15:56:19
It’s a lovely book, isn’t it, though very melancholy. I do love Jansson’s little characters!
heavenali
Oct 17, 2023 @ 14:34:58
I have come to enjoy Tove Jansson’s novels and stories as an adult. She really is a unique writer. I was totally unaware of the Moomins as a child, but I have come to realise how beloved they are of many readers. I particularly like the sound of the Christmas story.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 17, 2023 @ 15:55:46
I love her adult books, but the Moomins are very special too – and very lovely to read as an adult (I think I might have found them too dark as a child!!)
Jane
Oct 17, 2023 @ 16:51:21
what a great read for the 1962 club, I haven’t read any Moomins for ages, I missed them as a child and am just trying to catch up now!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 17, 2023 @ 19:06:23
I’ve caught up too in the time of the blog – I feel you’re never too old to discover the Moomins!
Calmgrove
Oct 17, 2023 @ 17:14:35
I decided not to read this until next year’s Moomin Week, Karen, but I’m pleased to see your thoughts on it and know that, for all its melancholy, it’d be exactly my kind of thing.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 17, 2023 @ 19:05:53
I think it will, Chris – such wonderfully imaginative stories and the illustrations add so much!
mallikabooks15
Oct 17, 2023 @ 17:27:54
I enjoy being able to explore the deeper and more sombre undertones in children’s fiction that one recognises better as adults, but sometimes one does wish for the lighter fun feelings of when one read them as a child. The Creep had me thinking of poor Mr Whatziname in the faraway tree who also longed to know his name.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 17, 2023 @ 19:05:30
I know what you mean – when you’re a child they’re just pure escapism and all you want is to be transporter, never mind about the subtext!
1streading
Oct 17, 2023 @ 18:25:38
I loved the Moomin books as a child though I don’t think I ever had my own copies, relying on staying with my cousin to get them all read.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 17, 2023 @ 19:04:52
I wish I’d read them as a child, tbh – I think I would have adored them!
whisperinggums
Oct 17, 2023 @ 22:41:04
I have never read any Moomin books. What age are they intended for? Maybe they are ones I should introduce myself to with grandchildren.
I have read some seriously dark children’s books. I think children (in general, unless perhaps they’ve experienced It themselves) don’t really think about darkness the way adults do?
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 18, 2023 @ 20:34:49
TBH I couldn’t begin to guess as they somehow seem ageless. But I think you could try them with your grandchildren and see how they respond. And you’re right – the child reading experience is very different from the adult!
whisperinggums
Oct 18, 2023 @ 22:11:09
Thanks Karen. I will give them a go.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 19, 2023 @ 09:46:59
Excellent!
Julé Cunningham
Oct 18, 2023 @ 01:06:47
It’s Jansson’s evocative artwork I came across first, then her fiction for adults, and thanks to all the Moomin love I see from fellow bloggers, am looking forward to spending some time with them next year!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 18, 2023 @ 20:34:04
Excellent. I was the same – I read The Summer Book before anything else and fell in love with her prose. The Moomins are definitely worth spending time with, though!
Lory
Oct 18, 2023 @ 19:55:18
I didn’t manage this time but it would be lovely to participate in Moomin Week! I don’t think I’ve read this book and the “dark side” of the stories you mention sounds intriguing, in spite of that current of sadness.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 18, 2023 @ 20:19:05
Certainly, as the main Moomin books went on, I did pick up quite a lot of melancholy. It adds to the appeal for me, though, and I did enjoy these tales!
bookbii
Oct 19, 2023 @ 07:52:05
Moomins are just the best. Jansson is such a clever writer, there are so many levels to her work. I wish I’d discovered her as a child but frankly they are great reads even as an adult.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 19, 2023 @ 09:43:09
They are, and I agree. I’m happy that I eventually came across her books, as they do work whatever your age!
Liz Dexter
Oct 19, 2023 @ 11:17:46
What a lovely entry for the Club, the range you’re covering just yourself is wonderful!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 19, 2023 @ 14:34:52
I’m trying to read as widely as I can! 😀
Simon T
Oct 19, 2023 @ 11:57:01
Whenever I see them mentioned, I realise how much I need to spend time in Moominland – next year is clearly the time!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 19, 2023 @ 14:34:10
Definitely – it’s always such a lovely place to be!!!
Marcie McCauley
Oct 21, 2023 @ 20:19:00
Ohhh, I just love bookshopping with a friend when you’re both able to snag a copy of the same book; it forever becomes linked with that day/evening out and the friendship in a really wonderful way.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 21, 2023 @ 20:23:59
Very much so! And as we’d had a day out seeing Tove’s pictures, getting a Moomin book each was the icing on the cake!!
Melanie
Oct 23, 2023 @ 03:40:55
I also love the Moomins, and find some of them quite existential! I think a reread for Moomin week next year sounds like a plan.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 23, 2023 @ 15:37:58
I love. The. To and I really do want to have a reread at some time!!