Reviews - Moominsummer madness,

Moominsummer madness, by Tove Jansson, Tove Jansson

478 reviews for:

One of the weaker Moomin volumes, but manages to pick up steam towards its conclusion, with a laugh-out-loud funny play composed by Moominpappa. Suffers from the omission of one of my favorite characters, Sniff.

greeneyedpoetess's review against another edition

5.0

funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

margu's review against another edition

3.5

adventurous funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

thefigprince's review against another edition

5.0

A very fun, whimsical, and thoughtful read about a family of trolls affected by a flood.
I would consider the Moomin series to largely be "cozy reads," and this definitely fits into that category in my opinion.

fini_hch's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous lighthearted fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

juushika's review against another edition

4.0

Flood sends the Moomin family from their home during the height of June. Unbeknownst to them, they end up living in a

Spoiler

floating theatre

, and I'll admit I'm not enamored of the dramatic irony and pastiche that this introduces; I love these books more when they're cozy/domestic or atmospheric/magical--funny/campy is less my vibe. But there's still so much cozy and atmospheric to be had. Multithreaded, coincidence-laden plots are difficult to pull off in more serious works, but when the underlying theme is that things will work out, that characters will be reunited, a coincidental structure is soothing. And the reassurance of a happy ending opens the way for a contrasting but unthreatening sense of loss and loneliness. There's room for characters like mopey, quotable Misabel, who I love even more than Thingummy and Bob. And by coincidence I read this in late June, building on the book's atmosphere, late summer nights shimmering with quiet magic. I think this gets in its own way a little--it could be a perfect book; it's not, but it's a pleasure.