Just over 75 years ago, Tove Jansson introduced the world to the Moomins and changed children's literature forever. I have a love for the Moomins as many of you may know. I've discussed the Moomins multiple times before (links are available below) but what many people may not know is that my love for the Moomins is all pretty recent. When the Japanese animated show came out in the early 90s, I was already too old for the show and was busy being edgy with the X Men cartoon. No, my love for the Moomins came in the mid 2000s with the release of the comics. Jansson's comics were published in the 1950s in the Evening Standard and it was here that the characters became popular, however the collected volumes weren't released until 2006. As a comic collector, I noticed the first 4 volumes on sale and decided to buy the set and it was here that the whimsical stories with heart and street philosophy entered my life. I fell in love with these hippo-like creatures that spouted aphorisms and enjoyed the simple things in life. Since then I've snagged all the released collected volumes, read many of the books and seen both series of the recent CGI animated Moominvalley. However, it was only in the past couple of days that I managed to read the original tale that started it all - Moomins and the Great Flood- and what an interesting start to the phenomenon it is.
It’s a beautiful book with premium quality paper and vivid illustrations.
It starts with Moominmamma and Moomintroll looking for Moominpapa as he has gone off adventuring with the hattifatteners to find a home for his family having grown tired of living behind the stove pipes of others. As they travel, they encounter many creatures including a little creature, who would become series regular Sniff, as they try to beat the flood threatening to destroy their world. The seeds of future stories are sown with Hemulens, the Groke and Snufkins mentioned. Whilst it is a solid introduction to the wonderful literary world we know it becomes, it does read more like a prelude to 'Comet in Moominland'
That's not a slight as the story is wonderfully written but the philosophy and aphorisms that underpin much of Jansson's later stories aren't to be found here and that's fine for this 60 page novella. Jansson's artwork is beautiful and equally dreamy and unsettling, mixing monochromatic and sepia-tones painting and penwork.
Moomins and the Great Flood is a wonderful work and deserves a read, it is such a touchstone for what comes later, but more than that- it's just a lovely tale of finding a home and being a family.
LINK- The Moomins- Retro Soundtrack Review
LINK- Adventure in Moominland Exhibition at the Southbank Centre
LINK- The Wonder of Moomin World