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4.25 AVERAGE
4.25 AVERAGE
This used to be my favourite Moomin book, and I still love it. Nowadays my favourite is probably The Exploits of Moominpappa, but this one is a close second. Recommended for people of all ages!
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
When a flood chases the Moomin family from Moominvalley, they find a mysterious floating house--where all is not what it seems, obviously. During the voyage, Moomintroll and Snorkmaiden are lost, and what follows is a beautiful and funny weaving of plots until the reunion at the end.
The interwoven structure of this book, with three main groups of players (Snufkin, Moomin & Snorkmaiden, and the Moomin family in the floating theater), is done so expertly, with each group moving steadily forward in a sequence of criss-crosses and near misses, that it's like reading a beautifully choreographed dance.
The mysterious floating house the Moomin family boards is, of course, a theater. The dialogue of the play they put on is Jansson at her finest--absurdist, exaggerated and laugh-out-loud funny. I assume she took a lot of pleasure from writing it, because it's just a joy to read.
Moominsummer Madness doesn't hit on the thoughtfulness and melancholy that enters into the next book (Moominland Midwinter) and permeates the rest of the series. Instead, it's a last joyful romp. From the beginning, I knew the ending would be happy, but that doesn't take away from the clever, winding journey.
STRAY NOTES (that will only really make sense if you've read the book)
-The illustration of Snorkmaiden and the Fillyjonk picking midsummer flowers is one of my favorites of the whole series.
-Snufkin briefly adopting the creeps is THE BEST plot device. Forcing Snufkin into a brief fatherhood stint is funny, adorable without ever seeming cloying, and a brilliant stroke of character development that hints at the depth to come in the series. Snufkin smoking the raspberry leaves at the end of the book; cut to me softly crying on the train.
-When the family returns to Moominvalley as the flood waters recede, there's a moment where Snorkmaiden looks into the water and the flowers are still growing, brushing up against the bottom of the boat. It's a pure Jansson moment--the beauty of nature mixed with this impossible fairytale scenario, and it is so, so lovely.
-Moomintroll and Snufkin smiling at each other silently in the boat after escaping the police officer is such a nice, pure moment of friendship. They haven't seen each other in so long, and they don't even need to say anything. I love how much they love each other.
The interwoven structure of this book, with three main groups of players (Snufkin, Moomin & Snorkmaiden, and the Moomin family in the floating theater), is done so expertly, with each group moving steadily forward in a sequence of criss-crosses and near misses, that it's like reading a beautifully choreographed dance.
The mysterious floating house the Moomin family boards is, of course, a theater. The dialogue of the play they put on is Jansson at her finest--absurdist, exaggerated and laugh-out-loud funny. I assume she took a lot of pleasure from writing it, because it's just a joy to read.
Moominsummer Madness doesn't hit on the thoughtfulness and melancholy that enters into the next book (Moominland Midwinter) and permeates the rest of the series. Instead, it's a last joyful romp. From the beginning, I knew the ending would be happy, but that doesn't take away from the clever, winding journey.
STRAY NOTES (that will only really make sense if you've read the book)
-The illustration of Snorkmaiden and the Fillyjonk picking midsummer flowers is one of my favorites of the whole series.
-Snufkin briefly adopting the creeps is THE BEST plot device. Forcing Snufkin into a brief fatherhood stint is funny, adorable without ever seeming cloying, and a brilliant stroke of character development that hints at the depth to come in the series. Snufkin smoking the raspberry leaves at the end of the book; cut to me softly crying on the train.
-When the family returns to Moominvalley as the flood waters recede, there's a moment where Snorkmaiden looks into the water and the flowers are still growing, brushing up against the bottom of the boat. It's a pure Jansson moment--the beauty of nature mixed with this impossible fairytale scenario, and it is so, so lovely.
-Moomintroll and Snufkin smiling at each other silently in the boat after escaping the police officer is such a nice, pure moment of friendship. They haven't seen each other in so long, and they don't even need to say anything. I love how much they love each other.
06/2024: ”Kesäkuun yöt eivät koskaan ole vaarallisia.”
06/2022: Toisella lukukerralla jäi parhaiten mieleen rakkaus teatteria kohtaan ja se, että on täysin OK itkeä ihan vain itkemisen ilosta.
05/2021: Mutkattoman hauska ja nokkela! Tunnelmaltaan niin lempeä ja optimistinen. Pienistä yksityiskohdista muodostuu rikas kuvailu ja monivivahteinen tarina.
06/2022: Toisella lukukerralla jäi parhaiten mieleen rakkaus teatteria kohtaan ja se, että on täysin OK itkeä ihan vain itkemisen ilosta.
05/2021: Mutkattoman hauska ja nokkela! Tunnelmaltaan niin lempeä ja optimistinen. Pienistä yksityiskohdista muodostuu rikas kuvailu ja monivivahteinen tarina.
The Littlest, coziest fantasy tale your gonna read. Charm jumps off the page and silliness is the order of the day. The art is always zany and fun and characters that you will want to read about more and more. A deep lore that doesn't confuse, a world building that doesnt take shortcuts. I cannot say enough about Tove's work.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Fav of the series so far
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
hopeful
inspiring