Book blurb: The Moomins are a tight-knit family–hippo-shaped creatures with easygoing and adventurous outlooks. The comic strip reached out to adults with its gentle and droll sense of humor. Whimsical but with biting undertones, Jansson’s observations of everyday life, including guests who overstay their welcome, modern art, movie stars, and high society, easily caught the attention of an international audience and still resonate today.
This author, and these comic series in particular, is much loved by so many and I wanted in on all the fun too. These Nordic comics are based on children's books, but there is much here for adults to appreciate as well. The black and white pen and ink art is both simple and wonderfully captures a scene or emotion. In the barrage of upsetting national and world news, I am finding these comics quite soothing.
This volume collects books 1-4, each of which is a illustrated short story.
1. Moomin and the Brigands - 4 stars.
In which Moomin's relations overstay their welcome and he has a hard time saying no. On the plus side he does meet the love of his life, Snorkmaiden. This charming introduction to Moomin and his world made me smile the entire time I was reading it.
2. Moomin and Family Life - 4 stars.
In which everyone seems to have a family except for Moomin, so imagine his delight when he stumbles across the beloved family he lost as a child. Moominmamma might well me my fave comic character ever.
3. Moomin on the Riviera - 4 stars.
In which the Moomins try on the lifestyles of the rich and famous, but things do not go as expected.
4. Moomin's Desert Island - 4 stars.
In which the family is stranded on a Desert Island without a book to read. Some people do not plan ahead!