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laurenbastian 's review for:
Moominpappa's Memoirs
by Tove Jansson
adventurous
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I liked this one a lot! Maybe my 3rd favorite of the five Moomin novels I've read? I'd have to revisit to be sure... I never anticipate having much to say about these books until I start writing my review, then I end up with several paragraphs. So here we go!
The framing was fun and adventurous and treads lightly on themes of escaping responsibility, without digging too deeply into the consequences of that avoidance. For example, there is clear critique of Moominpappa's inflated ego, of absentee parents, and of always seeking adventure at the risk of abandoning those who love you.
These themes anchor the book but their consequences are only hinted at because the story is told through Moominpappa's perspective -- the characters go on wild, beautiful adventures with many happy familial reunions nevertheless. The framing device of the Memoirs reveals depths in the characters who long for their biological parents but have grown up knowing great love from the Moomin family, and Moominmamma in particular, who, as always, is a grounding force in Moominvalley.
The framing was fun and adventurous and treads lightly on themes of escaping responsibility, without digging too deeply into the consequences of that avoidance. For example, there is clear critique of Moominpappa's inflated ego, of absentee parents, and of always seeking adventure at the risk of abandoning those who love you.
These themes anchor the book but their consequences are only hinted at because the story is told through Moominpappa's perspective -- the characters go on wild, beautiful adventures with many happy familial reunions nevertheless. The framing device of the Memoirs reveals depths in the characters who long for their biological parents but have grown up knowing great love from the Moomin family, and Moominmamma in particular, who, as always, is a grounding force in Moominvalley.