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sumlittlebee's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
bupdaddy's review against another edition
4.0
I finished a book! Take that, Corvid-19 quarantine inertia!
OK, I'm kind of an idiot - I didn't realize this was a book of her short stories, thinking it was one of her typical novellas, until around "Chapter" 4 I began to wonder when any of these people might start to meet each other. So maybe the weirdness of the world today is affecting my reading comprehension, as it has most other facets of my life that require concentration.
But I think I got the swing of it by the end. Or maybe it's just a coincidence that the last few stories were my favorites. Her ability to write in ten words what other authors need two hundred for really shines toward the end, and her ability to communicate in what's unsaid what other people need to say is there too.
Well worth a read.
OK, I'm kind of an idiot - I didn't realize this was a book of her short stories, thinking it was one of her typical novellas, until around "Chapter" 4 I began to wonder when any of these people might start to meet each other. So maybe the weirdness of the world today is affecting my reading comprehension, as it has most other facets of my life that require concentration.
But I think I got the swing of it by the end. Or maybe it's just a coincidence that the last few stories were my favorites. Her ability to write in ten words what other authors need two hundred for really shines toward the end, and her ability to communicate in what's unsaid what other people need to say is there too.
Well worth a read.
sve100's review against another edition
5.0
Това е първият сборник на Туве Янсон, който ме кара да осъзная колко добре пише тя за възрастни. Деликатни и изключително дълбоки, достигат до най-тъмните кътчета,надникват в съкровено пазени тайни. Незначителните епизоди са наситени със случвания, скучните хора разкриват вълнуващи светове на ръба на лудостта (или гениалността?). Просто чудесна.
fishface's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Averaging three stars :)
As usual with a short story collection there are some hits (yay!) and misses (boo!)
Hits: Art in Nature, The Monkey, The Doll's House, A Leading Role, The Great Journey
Misses: The Cartoonist, White Lady, A Sense of Time, The Locomotive, Flower Child, A Memory from the New World
I'm feeling inspired to check out some of Tove Jansson's novels now. I'm guessing The Summer Book is the best place to start?
As usual with a short story collection there are some hits (yay!) and misses (boo!)
Hits: Art in Nature, The Monkey, The Doll's House, A Leading Role, The Great Journey
Misses: The Cartoonist, White Lady, A Sense of Time, The Locomotive, Flower Child, A Memory from the New World
I'm feeling inspired to check out some of Tove Jansson's novels now. I'm guessing The Summer Book is the best place to start?
greeniezona's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
There is a strong possibility that if this collection had been by anyone else, I might have rated it higher, but because it was by Jansson, who is one of my favorite authors, I just WANTED TO LOVE IT MORE.
Short-story collections are often hit-or-miss for me. There were stories here that I loved, but there were also a few that fell flat for me.
I mean, this is definitely me wringing my hands over rating this ONLY four stars instead of five, which is NOT A BAD rating. I just wasn't as incandescently in love with this as I wanted to me. A lot of not terribly likable characters with not quite enough charm to balance it out, I think.
Short-story collections are often hit-or-miss for me. There were stories here that I loved, but there were also a few that fell flat for me.
I mean, this is definitely me wringing my hands over rating this ONLY four stars instead of five, which is NOT A BAD rating. I just wasn't as incandescently in love with this as I wanted to me. A lot of not terribly likable characters with not quite enough charm to balance it out, I think.
kimswhims's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting collection of short stories but I was expecting more of a Finish influence and a nature writing experience which I didn't get. The stories could be set just about anywhere are are more about the people than about the setting. All good but not what I was hoping for.