very short rec

[blamebrampton]

I have been re-reading Moomin books lately. mostly because I have forgotten almost everything that happened, and so they are all fresh and new! (Whether this is a side-effect of losing a big slab of my memory to a taxi, or being Middle Aged, I'm not wholly sure.) Surprisingly, a lot of people in RL have said to me, 'Moomins? Never heard of them. Any good?'

To which I reply: 'Heathen! And Brilliant!'

It's almost impossible to explain the strange charm of the Moomins, but these lines from Moonimsummer Madness sum it up for me. Snufkin has been out travelling the world and come across Little My (who is thumb-sized and who was swept away from her sister by a wave), who has decided to travel in his pocket. A little while later, they find themselves taking care of 24 woodland children ...

"It's raining," said a small woody.

"I'm hungry," said another.

Snufkin looked helplessly at Little My.

"Scare them with the Groke!" she suggested. "That's what my sister used to do."

"Does it make you a good girl?" asked Snufkin.

"Of course not!" said Little My and laughed so she toppled over.

What child (or short adult) could fail to be utterly charmed by that?

The books come with fabulous little ink illustrations, and the stories are always positive, no matter how many strange or dreadful things, such as Grokes and Park Rangers, might appear. There are new editions out at the moment, which are cheap and easily found. If they weren't a staple of your childhood, I do recommend making them a part of your adulthood ;-)

Comments

[penguin474.livejournal.com]

Lilla My is always fabulous! As are the stories/books in general, but even though I love them I haven't given them to my English-speaking friends as I don't think the translation does the books justice. I should think again, perhaps. :) Do you have a favourite?

[penguin474.livejournal.com]

Interesting; an internet search showed me different translator names than the ones in the translations I didn't like. I will think again, then. :)

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

I'm re-reading through slowly, so no fave as yet (though anything with Lilla My is good!)

The English translations are evidently a little rougher than they need to be (you can spot lines that could be smoother, even in the bit I quoted), but they are still good enough to be better than a great deal that is written in English, and the images are spectacular!

[treacle-tartlet.livejournal.com]

Must acquire for Small Girl!

[penguin474.livejournal.com]

How old is Small Girl? There are some wonderful picture books that I loved as a kid, like The Book about Moomin, Mymble and Little My and Who Will Comfort Toffle?.

[treacle-tartlet.livejournal.com]

Small Girl is four and a half :)
And thanks for the links!

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Yes you must! You may have help with that ...

[anna-wing.livejournal.com]

Yes, yes, the love of Moomins should be spread to all who have not yet had the joy of experiencing it!

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

I can never understand parents who buy Socially Worthy books for their kids and are wary of cheerfully anarchic ones like Moomins and Pippi. I always sneak them past such folks on the grounds that they are European, and therefore Cultural ;-)

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

I had the joy of reading them as a young'un and then the further joy of rereading them when I was an adult and realizing it was a completely different read. What great books!

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Hee! Yes, I am realising how much naughtier and deeper everything is. I wish I had bought some Moomin mugs in London, obviously I should go back soon.

[noeon.livejournal.com]

*fond memories of the Moominpapas animation series beginning to percolate in brain*

There are books? Fab!

[norton-gale.livejournal.com]

YES! You can borrow mine next time we get together! Tove Jansson is the author.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

You are a GOOD friend.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

There was an animation series? *Turns to internet*

Usually I am glad I had no telly till I was quite old, but sometimes I realise I missed good things!

[http://users.livejournal.com/_inbetween_/]

I actually think that much like with Winnie the Pooh these might be more enjoyable for adults. At least in my case I hadn't loved either as a child, unlike now.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

I need to re-read Milne. Later this year, I think. I did love Moomins, but have forgotten so much. Nothing like two tonnes of metal to the frontal lobes to make every day a brand new adventure ;-)

[http://users.livejournal.com/_inbetween_/]

If it didn't sound crude, crass and insensitive, I'd tell you that from about primary school on I often wished for a lobotomy. OTOH it's normal to wish to be able to reread or rewatch favourites "for the first time" again, so I can say that instead. As I stare out into the rainy darkness, finally dressed but not wanting to go out there.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Yeah, everyone has memories they'd like to get rid of. But let me tell you, there is nothing more disconcerting than sitting at a dinner party and becoming slowly aware from the conversation of others that you have had flings with about half the people there none of which you can recollect.

And don't go outside today, you may never get back in.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_inbetween_/]

*tries and fails not to laugh* hm maybe with most you were glad you can't recollect it? *g* I can't imagine that since I have had no life, I couldn't even break my finger properly.

Gahd it was awful. AWFUL. So cold and dark and wet and slippery and dirty and what a horrible area though they would actually have omg trees. But I didn't even buy halfprize tea bags out of fear someone put something in them in a big chain store, it was that bad. Although now I wonder why you warned me, polar opposite in hot country.

[norton-gale.livejournal.com]

I love the Moomins! For years I've been thinking of a Little My tattoo. Never got it, though.

I have also wondered if it's supposed to be political satire with characters representing different countries.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Ahahahahaha! That would RULE! I have a box of Little My sweets (empty now) on my desk at work, and just looking at her brings joy.

You know, I never thought of that. Hmmmm ... goes off to read more ...

[shocolate.livejournal.com]

Oh, I always loved them... so strange and mad.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

I think they set my standard for what I liked in friends ;-)

[alex-s9.livejournal.com]

I'm almost positive I own at least one book of the Moomin series from every edition that was ever printed in Poland, which means I've got sometimes three copies of the same book. I can't stop myself when it comes to Tove Jansson books; the same story repeats with Astrid Lindgren, although she wrote so much more that I have only one copy of each of her books (except Mio, My Mio, can't find the edition I want). I also have mascots of Little My, Moomin and Snork Maiden, cups with Little My and Snufkin, and even little spoons with Moomin I brought from Finland. Match me. :D

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

I LOVE Astrid Lindgren! But I could never match your collection, I have moved too often ;-)

I do want some Moomin mugs, though. I think they can be my next treat to myself. Where did your mascots come from?

[alex-s9.livejournal.com]

From Finland as well. They are a gift from my then boyfriend, now husband.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

You were wise to marry him!

[dharawal.livejournal.com]

i have the complete boxed set of the Moomin books i love them so much.


Too-Ticky was my favourite, so much so back in the early 90's i used to run a BBS called Too-Ticky.

'all small beasts should have bows in their tails'

[pingrid.livejournal.com]

OMG, icon LOVE! :D:D

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

There is a boxed set?? Let me guess, from the 70s?

Too-Ticky is terrif, stripey tops FTW! And yay bows!

[lyras.livejournal.com]

Yay, Moomins! A friend of mine is obsessed with collecting those gorgeous mugs, but I don't think she's ever read the books. I should probably make sure that changes.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Yes! Though you should have her swap a mug for a few books, they are lovely ;-)

[pingrid.livejournal.com]

Now I'm wondering where all our childhood Moomin books have got to. *looks for Trollvinter/Moominland midwinter* *fails* *resolves to buy new ones*

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

I am having to buy all new ones. I need new Pookie books next ... You know, a sensible publisher could make a fortune out of people like us.

[anthraxia.livejournal.com]

Moomin! Moominmoominmoominmoomin! The Snork Maiden inspired me to a 10 year long desire for an ankle bracelet as a child.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Did you ever get one? I think you would look lovely with a fluffy fringe, too ;-)

[anthraxia.livejournal.com]

No, I grew up and realised I don't have the right sort of ankles. They match my FF feet with stupidly high instep and arches, thus ensuring that, as I will always go through hell trying to find shoes that fit, I shall rarely enjoy the luxury of pretty shoes. But I have some very lovely bangles of the right size and look that I wait to give to a nice Snork Maiden, should I ever meet one.

[flamewarrior.livejournal.com]

Yey, Moomins! \o/

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

YAY indeed!

[banbury.livejournal.com]

Oh, I love them too! I even have my own Moomin-Papa from Helsinki complete with his Hat :-)