Tales from Moominvalley

Rating:
Summary: A delightful read!
Review: I had read these books as a kid, and recently my sister bought me the whole set -- I was delighted to find that they are just as enchanting as I remembered, even for adults! They are witty and cleverly written -- much like A A Milne, but in an imaginary world of Moomintrolls and Hemulens. A great read for kids and adults alike.

Rating:
Summary: A real surprise
Review: I picked up this book because I thought I hadn't read it before, wanting to see the Moominvalley books through adult eyes - not to have my childhood memories of favourite books tarnished. As it turns out, I had read "Tales from Moominvalley" before (the fungus-covered granny was the trigger for my recollection), but I was really relieved to find that Tove Jansson's books are just as good as I remember - and there is, I think, even more for the adult to appreciate and enjoy than there is for the child.
I generally dislike the short story genre, but not when it's done like this. Every short story is simply that, a short story; not a contrived literary exercise with the obligatory "twist in the tail". Jansson's stories are charming little gems, full of wonderful moments and images, thought-provoking and touching. Her characters are often the lonely, the lost, and the troubled, and she makes you feel for them and understand them, without ever becoming ridiculous or sentimental. The tales about Snufkin and his tune and the Fillyjonk who believed in disasters are shining examples of this. But Jansson can write humour and happiness just as well, as the tales of the invisible child and the fir tree show.
I really can't speak highly enough of this book. Jansson's wonderful insight into people, her spare, deft prose, and her brilliant imagination make a great combination. Buy it for your children or for yourself.

Rating:
Summary: my thoughts
Review: I would like to say that I, as a small child, read the complete Moomintroll series, given to me by flatmate of my mother and myself who took a particular pleasure in improving my ability to read ( actually, I think he was getting annoyed at my small fingers leafing through his prized historical library every Saturday morning while my mother was at work ), and I can't thank this person enough for doing so, even though I have never seen him since that moment of my life, so thankyou David.
One particular work by the author has stuck with me throughout my life, a story within this volume by the name of " The Fillyjonk Who Believed In Disasters ", the reason being it is a remarkably adult tale given to such young minds. I feel that this story is quite dark, the character leading such a quite, and safe existance, all coming to failing at the hands of a huge storm. I myself being a victem of such events twice in my life I always think of this tale in reflection to our views on " home " and " security ", and the precarious state of their existence in regards to the very strength of natural forces. Such huge upheaval also brings us to the age old question of " purpose ", something which the author gives the reader the opportunity to do with the character in this story, quite a question for a young child. It is a strange tale, this one, and I urge adults as well as children to read it.