In these nine delightfully funny stories, readers will discover how the Moomin family spend their first Christmas out of hibernation, how they save...
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reviews
Dec 12, 2010
Courtney
rated it: 
What a bunch of strange, opaque, elliptical little stories.
This is my first entry into the Moomin world, Jansson's books having passed me by as a child. I was dubious - the pastelly coloured covers of the editions I keep weighing in my hands then returning to the shelves in Unity have put me off - but this was lent to me by a close friend whose taste I trust.
I flipped the book over and read the blurb first:
This is my first entry into the Moomin world, Jansson's books having passed me by as a child. I was dubious - the pastelly coloured covers of the editions I keep weighing in my hands then returning to the shelves in Unity have put me off - but this was lent to me by a close friend whose taste I trust.
I flipped the book over and read the blurb first:
If you found a tiny golden dragon with green paws, wouldMore...
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Nov 22, 2010
Jennifer
rated it: 
Breathtaking. I've never read anything quite like it. Amazingly awesome, funny, sweet, whimsical (that word again)--but all in the best and most real ways, not as some kind of sham or put-on. And--but there's no way for me to talk about this book in a way that makes sense, other than that to say each story is unique and delightful and provides incredible insights into human nature, coupled with Ms. Jansson's usual sense of "Whatever you are, wherever you're at, you are okay," that i
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Feb 07, 2011
Brennan
rated it: 
I didn't understand this well at first, and I'm glad I read synopsis of this or I wouldn't of appreciated this nearly as much. In short, the main character, (something called a "Hemulen"), finds himself living in a quiet forest after the fair that he worked at is washed away by the rain. He greatly enjoys the silence and is angered when he finds kids coming to him and asking if they can rebuild the fair. He says yes but only if they play in silence.
The whole story is very int More...
The whole story is very int More...
May 29, 2011
Vasha7
rated it:
I've got to say, I know genius when I see it, and this is it. Jansson put her quietly strange imagination to work in the service of invoking kindly emotions amazingly effectively. These stories are really touching, and I say that as someone who hates sentimentality -- sentimental they aren't. They combine the pleasures of home and family with an acceptance of nature.
One thing that struck me is that these stories are built around contrasts: inside the home vs. outside in "The Fill More...
One thing that struck me is that these stories are built around contrasts: inside the home vs. outside in "The Fill More...
Jan 21, 2012
melydia
rated it:
A collection of short stories about our favorite Moomins and the other creatures who inhabit their world. I liked hearing about the fillyjonk, the hemulen, and other such critters, but my favorites were about the last dragon (I heart Snufkin!) and Moominpappa’s journey with the Hattifatteners. The latter was particularly satisfying, as it’s referenced in many of the other Moomin books. As with all things Moomin, I am a terrible reviewer because I just love them so much. The characters, for a
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Jan 22, 2009
Lisa
rated it:
Love, love, loved this book. It is one of those books that you read and wonder how on earth you had missed it for all the previous years of your life. I felt like my very soul was being analyzed and explained; makes me wonder if the author happens to be a psychiatrist in her spare time. Beautiful, hilarious, heartwarming insight into human nature. I think it would be much more appreciated by adults, but I'm sure that children would also enjoy these stories. This was the first book by the author
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Nov 20, 2010
Jose
rated it:
I loved this book. Loved the story of how the Moomins discovered Christmas and thought it was a threat they had to be ready for . I loved the story of Moominpapa yearning for the wicked life in the island of the Hattifaternes, the strange beings that only live for storms. I loved the story of the Hemulen and his theme park of Silence. I loved all the stories for their unusual and sometimes gloomy wonder. Couldn't get the Fillyjonk story out of my head, it was so desperate and wise. These are s
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Oct 22, 2010
Katie
rated it:
Some of the sweetest, most touching stories I have ever read are in this book. It's a very delicate flavor; I think more nuanced and contemplative, than some of Jansson's other Moomintroll books. I am particularly fond of two tales, "The Hemulen who Loved Silence" and "The Fillyjonk Who Believed in Disasters," but all are well worth reading.
Dec 28, 2010
Becky
rated it:
Sweet, funny, occasionally profound. Just discovered this series featuring the amazing Moomintroll family and their neighbors in Moominvalley. This volume is a collection of short stories - a perfect introduction even though it's the last volume in the series. Book one's on hold already.
As Z said, "there was no violence, none at all, not even a fight or battle. I really liked this."
As Z said, "there was no violence, none at all, not even a fight or battle. I really liked this."
Sep 14, 2011
Amanda Lueck
rated it:
This was an eerie and beautiful Moomin book, a collection of short tales that sometimes were only tangentially connected to the Moomin characters I know and love. That said, this was a Moomin book for adults, full of growing up and changing and discovering the truth in both its horror and loveliness.
Oct 27, 2011
Elizabeth S
rated it:
I think this is my favorite Moomin book. This one has a bunch of short stories, most of which are very fun. The last one is a Christmas story of sorts--the Moomin family is woken from their winter sleep to prepare for Christmas, but they don't understand what that means. Their guesses and attempts are both funny and sweet. I also enjoyed the story of a Hemulen who wanted to retire and liked quiet, and how he ended up <spoiler>building an amusement park for the little creatures</spoi
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Apr 29, 2011
Satia
rated it:
Quirky, charming, with a touch of dark reality hinting through, a fun book for those barely tween-agers on the verge. For more:
http://satiasreviews.blogspot.com/2011/0...
http://satiasreviews.blogspot.com/2011/0...
Nov 27, 2008
Megen
rated it:
This is a parable-styled children's book with stories that most adults would probably find more enlightenment from. Odd and quirky, but delightfully charming.
Oct 18, 2010
Nicole
rated it:
These stories were funny and charming, and while most of them seemed to be hinting at a moral none of them were preachy.
Jan 29, 2012
Fellini
rated it:
К стыду своему только сейчас прочитала эти истории. Сказки - сказками, а ситуации там встречаются недетские. Взять хотя бы сказку про Муми-папу, который уплыл с хаттифнаттами. Как его желание напоминает некоторых моих знакомых путешественников. Плавание без эмоций, без общения, в поисках грозы, которая даёт надежду на продолжение...
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Jan 21, 2011
Love these charming tales of the creatures of Moominvalley. I read them as a kid & am reading them again.
Nov 13, 2010
Mady
rated it:
Nine stories from the Moominworld. Lovely as always! Snufkin the adventurer is becoming my fave character.
Dec 13, 2007
Karen
rated it:
I am, ahem, 28, and have just fallen in love with this series, thanks to a Finnish friend. The stories and this and the other Moomin books are hilarious, irreverent, quirky... I love 'em. They could be placed in the genre of kids' books that mean ever so much more to you when you're grown, but that's a bit cliche.
Gotta love paragraphs like this one:
"One day the Fillyjonk's son found a boa constrictor in the porcelain stove. As it behaved nicely, it was immediately br More...
Gotta love paragraphs like this one:
"One day the Fillyjonk's son found a boa constrictor in the porcelain stove. As it behaved nicely, it was immediately br More...
Jul 30, 2011
Lusitarius
rated it:
This book was great, but I would have liked to read more about the Moominfamily.
Jan 12, 2010
Tyas
rated it:
Unbearably cute while philosophical! This might look like a very light reading, but it can also make you stop and think. I need to get more Moomin books!
Feb 19, 2009
Amy
rated it:
*(favorites characters- the hattifatteners, the fillyjonk)*
9 moominvalley tales with all the uniqueness, deep thought, and unconventional thinking that make all the moomin books great. featuring various moominvalley regulars. In some of my favorite tales moominpappa gains major insight into the mysterious nature of the hattifatteners, the fillyjonk has quite a date with disaster and an invisible girl is able to be seen again.
9 moominvalley tales with all the uniqueness, deep thought, and unconventional thinking that make all the moomin books great. featuring various moominvalley regulars. In some of my favorite tales moominpappa gains major insight into the mysterious nature of the hattifatteners, the fillyjonk has quite a date with disaster and an invisible girl is able to be seen again.
