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'Moomin: The Complete Comic Strip, Volume 1, by Tove Jansson & Fair Play, by Tove Jansson, trans. Thomas Teal. To write fiction well for children and for the child in all adults takes a variety of gifts, among them directness and lucidity with words and emotions, and the courage to keep them clean of pretence. This becomes especially true when crafting illustrated stories, where pictures as well as words do the telling and both need to enhance each other. For those who have delighted in the depths which Tove Jansson achieved through her beloved Moomin tales, these two books reveal how, throughout her life, she refined her narrative skills, first for her comics, and then for her adult novels.' The Independent/Friday 3 August 2007 --The Independent: Friday 3 August 2007
Synopsis
The author's comic strip is published for the first time in North America in the first volume of a proposed multi-volume series designed to reprint the entire strip of the magical world of the author's creation, the Moomins.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
43 of 43 people found the following review helpful
By lionheart
Format:Hardcover
If you don't know the Moomin comic strips - originally created for the London Standard in the 1950's - then this is a treat. Tove Jansson's quiet and quirky observations of life, as represented by the eccentric Moomins are every bit as endearing here as in the full length books. The strips were a huge success, continuing into the '70's when her brother, Lars took over. Only one annual was ever published in Britain (in the fifties) and it is wonderful to at last have these wonderful strips revived for all to enjoy.
Tove's independant view of life, her fiercely non-capitalistic stance and pacifist tendancies all shine through these bizarre, unexpected and utterly individual stories, which see the "De Moomins" mixing with film stars on the Riviera (including "the great little Audrey Glamour") and transforming old ladies into randy young men, with magic potions! Hers was a unique talent and these glorious strips are in the ame class as Herge's Tintin, or the Peanuts strips.
Her economy of line and brilliantly understated humour are quite remarkable and the production of this book is a real class act. Just the drawings are worth the purchase price alone. Drawn and Quarterly are to be congratulated for a beautifully put together volume - the first of several - not showy or ostentatious, but lavish and discreetly handsome, as befitting the glorious delights within. It is utterly unmissable - and another magnificent side of the work of this quiet genius.
Tove's independant view of life, her fiercely non-capitalistic stance and pacifist tendancies all shine through these bizarre, unexpected and utterly individual stories, which see the "De Moomins" mixing with film stars on the Riviera (including "the great little Audrey Glamour") and transforming old ladies into randy young men, with magic potions! Hers was a unique talent and these glorious strips are in the ame class as Herge's Tintin, or the Peanuts strips.
Her economy of line and brilliantly understated humour are quite remarkable and the production of this book is a real class act. Just the drawings are worth the purchase price alone. Drawn and Quarterly are to be congratulated for a beautifully put together volume - the first of several - not showy or ostentatious, but lavish and discreetly handsome, as befitting the glorious delights within. It is utterly unmissable - and another magnificent side of the work of this quiet genius.
23 of 23 people found the following review helpful
By Rotgut
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Hardcover
If, like me, you have loved the Moomin family since childhood, you will have read all the quirky, unique books in the series, many , many times. If so, you may be surprised to find, as I was, that these comic strips exist, and allow us an unexpected opportunity to re-enter the world of Moominvalley.
In a way comics are the ideal medium for Tove Jannson, the illustrations to her Moomin series are as fine as the effortlessly brilliant stories. Her sense of fun and rather unworldly viewpoint are showcased in these strips as well as her beautiful artwork.
Having said all that, these strips perhaps lack the shade of gloomy darkness that make the Moomin series of books so memorable, "Moominvalley in November", for example, is almost bleak in outlook. Also, the characters are all slightly different from in the books, which is a bit distracting at times.
Even so, these collected newspaper strips are a hugely welcome addition to any Moomin fan's library.
In a way comics are the ideal medium for Tove Jannson, the illustrations to her Moomin series are as fine as the effortlessly brilliant stories. Her sense of fun and rather unworldly viewpoint are showcased in these strips as well as her beautiful artwork.
Having said all that, these strips perhaps lack the shade of gloomy darkness that make the Moomin series of books so memorable, "Moominvalley in November", for example, is almost bleak in outlook. Also, the characters are all slightly different from in the books, which is a bit distracting at times.
Even so, these collected newspaper strips are a hugely welcome addition to any Moomin fan's library.
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
The Moomins were written and illustrated by Tove Jansson, a classic bohemian figure, who lived for much of her life on a small island in Finland, from where much of the inspiration for these quietly surreal strips came from. The stories are full of delicate and poignant observations of life, much like her adult prose, and sing with a homespun, joyous wisdom.
The moomins themselves are curious, wonderful, often confused, upside down, and surprising emotional. Each character is rich and full, despite the miniature nature of the format: very little text, and small, often sparsely detailed, economic illustrations. Janson managed to pack so much of everything into these strips, and incredibly, each individually published small strip is successful in its own right, away from the larger arcs of the story; something which seems to get even better as she gained experience of working in this way.
Ostensibly, you might think these stories are for children, like the moomin books, however, they were acually made for adult publication and where circulated in newspapers in over 40 countries through out the world. Children from perhaps 7 years old (perhaps even younger) could certainly get a great deal from them, not least the fabulous adventures of Moomin himself, or the funny auxilary character like Sniff (who just seems to think of money and fame), and Stink (who seems equally cynical).
I came at these strips after having read Janssons adult fiction, namely The Winter Book and The Summer Book, where she quickly established herself as one of my favourite authors, and with some familiarity with the Moomins cartoon. I was not disapointed. My only problem when i had finished the first of these 'Complete' collections, was the disappointment over returning to the normal world, and having to wait for the next book to arrive.
There's a little bit of these characters in all of us, but that doesn't stop me wishing i was a moomin, or that i could just 'live in peace, plant potatoes and dream'.
The moomins themselves are curious, wonderful, often confused, upside down, and surprising emotional. Each character is rich and full, despite the miniature nature of the format: very little text, and small, often sparsely detailed, economic illustrations. Janson managed to pack so much of everything into these strips, and incredibly, each individually published small strip is successful in its own right, away from the larger arcs of the story; something which seems to get even better as she gained experience of working in this way.
Ostensibly, you might think these stories are for children, like the moomin books, however, they were acually made for adult publication and where circulated in newspapers in over 40 countries through out the world. Children from perhaps 7 years old (perhaps even younger) could certainly get a great deal from them, not least the fabulous adventures of Moomin himself, or the funny auxilary character like Sniff (who just seems to think of money and fame), and Stink (who seems equally cynical).
I came at these strips after having read Janssons adult fiction, namely The Winter Book and The Summer Book, where she quickly established herself as one of my favourite authors, and with some familiarity with the Moomins cartoon. I was not disapointed. My only problem when i had finished the first of these 'Complete' collections, was the disappointment over returning to the normal world, and having to wait for the next book to arrive.
There's a little bit of these characters in all of us, but that doesn't stop me wishing i was a moomin, or that i could just 'live in peace, plant potatoes and dream'.
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4.7 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
great, thank you!
A wonderful classic, lovely binding. My children love the books. Beautiful books to collect, highly recommend. Book 1 of a series of Moomin stories.
Published 11 days ago by Katia Viegas Wesolowska
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent was every thing I hoped it would be.
Excellent was every thing I hoped it would be, had high quality paper and was beautifully bound. This is what books should be like.
Published 15 days ago by N Hexter
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful
Beautiful Moomin story, perfectly presented in hardback with good quality paper. A real collector's item! Am going to buy part 2.
Published 1 month ago by betty seggs
5.0 out of 5 stars
Quality product
Very happy with it. It's a hardcover which is nice. If you like the old moomins, these are them. It looks nice on a shelf, and makes you look sophisticated like Moominpappa or the... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Sauce lover
5.0 out of 5 stars
Moomin Comic Strip Book 1
First off I was very impressed when I took this out the packaging - it has a cloth cover which is great, makes the book seems more expensive! Read more
Published 13 months ago by TC
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great for grown ups too!
Even though it is a comic and even though the moomins traditionally are for children this comic book is also very amusing for grown ups. Read more
Published on 27 Feb 2011 by L. Andersson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Moomin Stories: Complete Tove Jansson comic strip book, one
A beautifully produced book with quite a retro feel. It was a delight to discover these books, having been a fan of the Moomins since my childhood in the fifties. Read more
Published on 17 May 2010 by Ms. P. J. Golding
4.0 out of 5 stars
For die hard Moomin or Tove Jansson fans only.
The book itself is absolutely beautiful in appearance. And is solidly bound in a hard cover with fabric covered spine. Read more
Published on 26 July 2009 by A. D. Mcgrath
4.0 out of 5 stars
complete?
It's funny how it's called the 'Complete' comic strip,yet obviously it isn't complete as they have released the 3rd 'Complete' comic strip book of Moomin. Read more
Published on 15 Sep 2008 by P. Kane
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