Moomin Begins a New Life

Moomin Comic Strip #8

by Tove Jansson

A traveling prophet may hold the key to happiness, but do the Moomins really need it?

When a charismatic prophet comes to town, the residents of Moominvalley are easily convinced to follow his doctrine for true happiness. Intrigued by their friends and neighbors’ lifestyle changes, the impressionable Moomins find themselves attempting to adopt the teachings of their new spiritual leader. But the freer they get, the more miserable they feel. Moominvalley’s state of divine chaos is further complicated by the prophet’s well-intentioned decree to free all of the jail’s inmates. Moomin Begins a New Life is an eccentric all-ages adventure from the acclaimed Finnish cartoonist Tove Jansson that explores the appeal of self-transformation and the pursuit of happiness.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Fantasy, Humor, Graphic Novels Comics

40 pages, Paperback

Published September 12, 2017

About the author

Tove Jansson was born and died in Helsinki, Finland. As a Finnish citizen whose mother tongue was Swedish, she was part of the Swedish-speaking Finns minority. Thus, all her books were originally written in Swedish.

Although known first and foremost as an author, Tove Jansson considered her careers as author and painter to be of equal importance.

Tove Jansson wrote and illustrated her first Moomin book, The Moomins and the Great Flood (1945), during World War II. She said later that the war had depressed her, and she had wanted to write something naive and innocent. Besides the Moomin novels and short stories, Tove Jansson also wrote and illustrated four original and highly popular picture books.

Jansson's Moomin books have been translated into 33 languages.

Reviews

[Hilary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another comic strip reprint. I enjoyed this one slightly less than others in the series but still a good, fun read, with all the usual funny little creatures and philosophy that you expect to find in a Tove Jansson book. A charismatic prophet comes to moomin valley and changes the inhabitants ideas about how to live. In their search for happiness they find it isn't as easy to attain than they thought and when a new prophet comes with opposite ideas they begin to realise that actually life is probably as good as it gets, just the way it was!

[Mir · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jansson is consistently brilliant. This doesn't always make for the most enjoyable reading, as the idiocy, foibles, and selfishness of her characters is often too realistic to be greatly balmed by the humor.

At least for the Moomins the consequences of their stupidity are never as severe as they usually are in real life.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

what a lucky ann i am when good samaritans leave moomin strips in the book drop!

[PJC · Rating 4 out of 5]

With all the excitement online about the movie, I decided to read some of the series! I love the Moomins. I think they were what I was feeling so nostalgic for the first time I saw a Ghibli film. It's the same vibe of gentle freedom and beautiful nature and loving family.

[iina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two prophets promising a better life for Moomins, chaos and unhappiness ensuing... This was a fun little book, but the idiocy of the characters was a bit much at times.

Thank you to Drawn & Quarterly for sending me a copy of this book.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is weirdly a perfect analogy for intuitive eating!!! I would love to incorporate it into my practice somehow.

[Waffle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this one.

[Rick Larsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute and charming, just like me!

[J. Fosbenner · Rating 4 out of 5]

favorite quote:
________
"All responsibilities are only a nuisance."
- Tove Jansson, Moomin Begins A New Life