Finn Family Moomintroll by Tove Jansson

Finn Family Moomintroll (Moomintrolls , #2) (Moomins, #2) (Moomins S.) (Moomins Fiction) (Moomin) (Moomins Collectors' Editions)

by Tove Jansson

Finn Family Moomintroll is the second book in the cult classic Moomin series by Tove Jansson. A must-read for adults and children alike.

Poor little chap! He had been turned into a very strange animal indeed . . .

Although they're small, fat and shy creatures, Moomins have the most amazing adventures. It all begins when Moominpappa tries on a magic hat that makes exciting and funny things happen . . .

'They seem to grow in wisdom and delight every time I read them' - Philip Pullman

'A beautifully strange world, excquisitely illustrated' - Lauren Child

Tove Jansson was born in Finland in 1914. She began her career as a cartoonist and went on to write and illustrate many books for adults and children. She drew her first Moomin in the 1930s, just for fun, and in 1945 he became a character in a children's story. Tove became world-famous for her Moomin books, which began with Comet in Moominland in 1946, closely followed by Finn Family Moomintroll.

Tove Jansson received many prestigious awards during her lifetime, including the international Hans Christian Andersen Medal. She died in 2001, aged 87.

Reviewed by nannah on

4 of 5 stars

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I love how this is book 3 on Goodreads and book 2 on the physical book ....
Looking it up, based upon the story and how the characters look/are treated, it seems book 1 according to Goodreads is treated largely as a prequel everywhere else. Okay, that solves that.

In Spring, Moomintroll & Co. find a lovely Hobgoblin's hat and take it home. Unfortunately, this is not just any Hobgoblin's hat; anything anyone puts inside it changes! Whether it's something ... or someONE.

I loved the interaction between characters a lot more in this book, even if the plot wasn't as clear and streamlined as the first. Conflicts and internal character problems become a lot more nuanced -- and like Philip Pullman says on the cover: "These simple stories resonate with profound and complex emotions". In particular the Snork Maiden (and her vanity) and the emotions surrounding Snuffkin leaving in the fall to have an adventure alone.

I'm looking forward to read more.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 11 April, 2019: Finished reading
  • 11 April, 2019: Reviewed