Moominpappa at Sea is about Moominpappa's midlife crisis, he has a sense of ennui as he feels he has done all that needs to be done. What's a Moomin to do, eh? Why, take the whole family off to sea to live on a small island with an abandoned lighthouse that resonates with a dream you've had of course! Joining them for this ride is the usual menagerie of beloved characters as well as the Groke, a mysterious figure that longs for light and warmth. Little My wryly observes, "This is no ordinary island... I bet things'll happen here!" and indeed they do over the course of the story.
The book is a welcome addition to the family collection of Moomin paraphernalia.
The Moomin characters are all recognisable archetypes but this is a thoroughly 'modern' fairytale (it is 50 years old but it’s not as old as Grimm of Hans Christian Anderson old) as lessons are learned and characters develop; the island is a place of transformation and change, much like the woods of old tales.
Although primarily a children's book, this story will resonate with adults as it does cover heavy themes such as depression, having a 'purpose' and fulfilling dreams. This is one of many reasons as to why I love Tove Jansson; whilst writing seemingly frivolous tales, she gets to the heart of the human condition with a very open hearted philosophy of humanism where there is more that unites us than separates us. Maybe in these challenging times we need this optimism?
When you consider that the Moomin books were written in the aftermath of World War 2, you can see that her tales portray friendship and acceptance, she was trying to create a world of unity and isn't that all people truly desire?
Moominpappa at Sea is an astonishing book and should be read by all, young and old alike, as it carries the universal message of kindness and familial love. And when it drops aphorisms like:
’The world is full of great and wonderful things for those who are ready for them,’ you know you're onto something special.
The Moomins- Retro Vinyl Release