The Curly Pyjama Letters

by Michael Leunig

These letters are a small fragment of the vast correspondence known to have taken place between lone voyager Vasco Pyjama and his friend and mentor Mr Curly of Curly Flat. While domestic contentment and ease with the natural world are Mr Curly's major attributes, Vasco's restless nature has compelled him into a great voyage of discovery. In the company of his direction-finding duck, he has wandered far and wide, risking, finding, enjoying and observing much. Theirs is a language of unique personal protocol, as is often found in conversations between creative and intelligent minds in awe of life's complex grandeur, beauty and pathos.

Genres: Fiction, Australia, Poetry, Philosophy, Art, Humor

80 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 31, 2001

About the author

Michael Leunig, typically referred to as Leunig (his signature on his cartoons), was an Australian cartoonist. His works include The Curly Pyjama Letters, cartoon books The Essential Leunig, The Wayward Leunig, The Stick, Goatperson, Short Notes from the Long History of Happiness and Curly Verse, and The Lot, a compilation of his "Curly World" newspaper columns. Leunig also wrote a book of prayers, When I Talk To You.
He was declared an Australian Living Treasure by the National Trust of Australia in 1999.

Reviews

[Angela Watt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming book and ideal to read during the current world situation. I’m wishing that 2021 is a lavender year for us all.

[Sezen Yasar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dear Mr. Leunig,
Thank you plenty much for feeling and understanding us.
Yours sleepily
Sezen.

[Cheyenne Blue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michael Leunig, beloved Australian cartoonist, has collected some of the letters between his characters Mr Curly of Curly Flat, and Vasco Pyjama, endlessly traveling with the assistance of his direction finding duck, which always points towards new joys.

Michael Leunig isn't just a cartoonist: he's a philosopher, poet, and visionary of life. Google "seven types of ordinary happiness" + Leunig to see what I mean.

Love, love, love, love anything that comes from his pen.

[Natalia Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful in its simplicity, just like Mr. Curly himself. It's about taking joy in the little things, taking the good with the bad, and occasionally taking a break.

The perfect thing to read on a rainy day with a cup of hot chocolate. It's my go-to when I need a little bit of cheering up, or calming down.

[Irene Daguno · Rating 5 out of 5]

a little child-like book that gave a different kick on a sleepy saturday morning. it's an exchange of letters between the wandering vasco pyjama and his friend and mentor mr. curly. thanks to a friend who introduced me to michael leunig, in person i wish.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dear Vasco Pyjama, his Direction Finding Duck and Mr Curly and the so many highlights, but The Ceremony of the Butterfly's Choice would have to come near the top of my choices, what a wonderful idea.

[Stef Rozitis · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of my workmates, knowing how much of a nerd I am and how every lunch time I hide behind a book bought me this for secret santa. It was a good present, I feel affirmed by that.

The book itself I felt like I always feel when I read Leunig. I felt that I don't completely "get it". He is being Wise and he is being Deep (especially in the introduction) and I think some of this is self-mocking which I understand but the thoughts themselves are so ridiculously privileged. I feel like this is a sort of mental Valium for the very privileged and my failure to get much out of it probably could be labelled something small and ugly like "envy".

Because at the end of the day roses and ducks and foolishness and the advice to "do nothing" notwithstanding I still have to pay my (very basic) bills and get busy doing a whole lot of things I dislike. I'd rather curl up to sleep in a garden with a duck or something.

So I have FOMO of this very good lifestyle where people can self-critique and focus back on easier and better things. I may be selling the book short. I am cranky.

I got through every page without hating it and for me even that is good.

I think Leunig has probably struggled with depression too so I don't want to pick on him for that reason.


I don't want to give him a free pass that therefore everything he writes is gold either. Hey look a lot of other people gave this five stars. I only liked it a bit, I wasn't blown away. I am possibly these days too fat to be blown away.

[Therese · Rating 4 out of 5]

"In response to your question 'What is worth doing and what is worth having?' I would like to say simply this. It is worth doing nothing and having a rest."

"Tiredness is one of our strongest, most noble and instructive feelings. It is an important aspect of our conscience and must be heeded or else we will not survive. When you are tired you must have that feeling and you must act upon it sensibly - you must rest like the trees and animals do.
Yet tiredness has become a matter of shame! This is a dangerous development. Tiredness has become the most suppressed feeling in the world."

"Perhaps the opposite is true: that all nothings lead to weariness. I have a peculiar feeling that I am worn out from something I haven't yet done and the more I don't do it, the more exhausted I become."

"I am writing to report a great and wonderful discovery. It is the discovery of my own stupidity and what a marvellous and enjoyable thing it is for me."

[Natalie Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will reread this time and time again.

A collection of fictional, poetic letters commenting on life, death, roses and football (though the last only once).

I loved the seemingly random thoughts and allusions Vasco and Curly came up with to describe their everyday moments and circumstance.

I have scrawled all over the margins of my copy (sorry Leunig) with my responses to their quips.
I could share ALL the quotes but I’ll share just one,

‘How interesting Vasco, that growth meets so much resistance, attracts such brutality, its creations are so constantly plundered - and yet it persists and is tender - troubled and tender! Growth is troubled and tender.’ (p 13-14).

I loved it.

[miha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Potožlo se mi je po pisanju pisem... kok je tole blaga, prijazna in mirna knjiga.

Tole mi je blo všeč...

razmišljanje da je vsak dan eno malo življenje, kako se zjutraj rodimo, s širnim svetlim novim dnevom pred sabo, opoldne pridemo v srednja leta, izpolnjujemo dolnosti in razmišljamo o resnicah sveta in sebe, zvečer pa se pripravljamo na konec, na onostran, na naslednji dan...

Pa ko tako lepo zaključi pisma z mislim nate, in imam te rad... prov prijetno me je pogrelo, čeprov ni blo napisano meni.

[Ella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Musical, poetic, thought provoking, light and heavy and funny too... the perfect balance of a good friendship. Leunig at his best

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insightful and stupid. May its reading give you sweet dreams.

[Joanne Rosentreter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Refreshing. A timeless classic. Yes, here's to unusual friendships!

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story told through letters with pictures/illustrations. Mr Curly from Curly Flat, he has a curly top to his head and all the roofs have curled peaks, is writing to his friend, Vasco Pyjama, who is travelling the world with his direction finding duck. It's about friendship and loss and finding how the world works as they follow the seasons. A lovely little story with a great number of philosophical truths.
A 'round' day is a good day.
What is worth doing and what is worth having? The answer: It is worth doing nothing and having a rest. well the world would definitely be better off I think.
A lovely book full of quiet philosophy on how to survive on a loud suddenly stupid and violent world. An inspiring read.

[Amron · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this Aussie cartoonist. This is in time with Griffin & Sabine of sorts. Fictionalized correspondence between two odd friends: an old man and a duck. Unfortunately its hard to secure here in the US. But still love it!

[Pamela Briant · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to live with Mr Curly in Curly Flats and live a simple life where pleasure takes the form of a walk along "the shore that appears quite beautiful in the moonlight." I want to have to ponder the wonders of nature and friendship, and take time to enjoy the special moments in each day.

[Yeardley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my most favourite book of all time. I love being a part of the happy third :)

I just wish the book was easily available in the UK or the US!

[Nez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish it was longer!
I would have liked to read more letters between Vasco Pyjama and Mr Curly.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Micheal Leunig is a genius and this collection of letters between two friends is inspirational, pure joy.

[Nino · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for everyone. It reminds one of the importance of rest and relationships in a world that can sometimes be so full and busy.

[Veronique Krüger · Rating 4 out of 5]

It ended too soon! What a lovely book. All adults should read this and then read The Little Prince straight afterwards.

[Neha Chinchanikar · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very dear friend lent this book to me, probably the sweetest gift ever. what can be better than a collection or beautiful correspondences between two unsual friends. loved it! must read!

[Ronni · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so gorgeous, just loved it.

[Holly S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peaceful words to live by

[Imibroccoli · Rating 2 out of 5]

His work is beautiful as usual ...