Finn Family Moomintroll (The Moomins, #3) in Around the World in 80 Books

Jul 29, 2007 Suvi rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: children, _europe-northern, _book-shelf, 1940-1969

Whimsical little stories that are tied together by the Hobgoblin's hat, which has the magical power to change things into something else. A lot of these episodic scenes are the ones that I'm most familiar with because of the tv-series.

The Hattifatteners are equally creepy here, and part of the reason why I've never felt comfortable with them is that they look brain-dead. They don't do anything, they just are and wander around in hordes looking like the ghosts of wet socks with limited means of c Whimsical little stories that are tied together by the Hobgoblin's hat, which has the magical power to change things into something else. A lot of these episodic scenes are the ones that I'm most familiar with because of the tv-series.

The Hattifatteners are equally creepy here, and part of the reason why I've never felt comfortable with them is that they look brain-dead. They don't do anything, they just are and wander around in hordes looking like the ghosts of wet socks with limited means of communication. At least they jolted the vapid Snork Maiden and her vanity a bit, and made Hemulen to think twice before stealing other people's property again. He was so obsessive about his collection, that he didn't realize to stop and marvel at the beauty of it. Moominmamma on the other hand was thinking about herself for once, and represented all mothers who occasionally want some peace and listen to the rain while taking a nap.

Although this were fun, I didn't really get as much out of this as I did from the previous book. It wasn't necessarily the episodic structure, but the lightheartedness. I'm mostly looking forward to the later books, that have a different approach and that are apparently more philosophical. Not to say this wasn't bad, quite the opposite.

The ending of the last story here was superb. A dreamy garden party with fireworks, lanterns, Moominpappa's punch, fruit, berries, sandwiches, Moominmamma making pancakes in a bathtub, and loads of dancing and having fun. Like Moominpappa says, summer in the Nordic countries is short, so everyone should be as happy as possible.

Everything ties into acceptance and growing up. The hat might be able to change things, but no person can change another one. Sometimes we have to let others leave so that they can come back again. Everybody's different with different needs. Some should have the opportunity to go on adventures by themselves, and find the peace to enjoy the company of others again.

"Someone who eats pancakes and jam can't be so awfully dangerous. You can talk to him." ...more

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