Snufkin's Book of Thoughts

Moomin thoughts

by Tove Jansson, Sami Malila

With their humane wisdom, Tove Jansson's world-renowned Moomins stories have made a great difference in readers' lives. First published in 1945, they have become true classics of children's literature and are loved by readers across the world. Targeted both at nostalgic adults and a new generation of Moomins fans, this wonderful little book features funny and insightful slogans and deep thoughts from the Moominvalley, as well as original quotes and drawings from Tove Jansson's beloved Moomins stories.

Genres: Childrens, Fiction, Art

54 pages, Hardcover

First published May 3, 2006

About the author

Tove Jansson was born and died in Helsinki, Finland. As a Finnish citizen whose mother tongue was Swedish, she was part of the Swedish-speaking Finns minority. Thus, all her books were originally written in Swedish.

Although known first and foremost as an author, Tove Jansson considered her careers as author and painter to be of equal importance.

Tove Jansson wrote and illustrated her first Moomin book, The Moomins and the Great Flood (1945), during World War II. She said later that the war had depressed her, and she had wanted to write something naive and innocent. Besides the Moomin novels and short stories, Tove Jansson also wrote and illustrated four original and highly popular picture books.

Jansson's Moomin books have been translated into 33 languages.

Reviews

[rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember having a conversation with someone online who did not like Snufkin. Their reasoning of why was that he is too honest and doesn’t care if he hurts anyone with his straight forward attitude. I think that people often rather be lied to and sugar coated instead of wanting to hear the truth. I also believe that Snufkin is caring, just not to the extended that would make him depending on someone or someone too depending on him. And this book just shows how caring and nice he actually is.

[edmondegreen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book.

[Tiina Kallio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Niin ihana!

[Asiem · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think it was perhaps a stroke of fortune that prompted me to pick this up for my last read of 2021.

Snufkin has always been one of my favourite characters from Tove Jansson's Moomin series, perhaps because a lot of his traits resonate with me. He prefers solitude, is nomadic, and indulges in quiet rumination. He eschews material wealth, preferring to embrace a spartan existence, and dislikes authority figures. He reminds me a lot of two other characters who share similar personalities - the Dúnadan, Aragorn son of Arathorn from The Lord of the Rings, and Roronoa Zoro from the One Piece franchise. Each of these characters embodies a quiet, introspective persona, and each is a man of few words, which, when spoken, are carefully chosen.

This book introduces us to snippets of Snufkin's ruminations from the different Moomin books, sorted by general themes. Snufkin has pondered on various aspects of his world and existence, and I am sharing below some of the book's particularly memorable quotes, especially in light of the coming year.

Walking was easy because his rucksack was almost empty and he didn't have to worry about anything. Snufkin was pleased with the forest, the weather and himself. Tomorrow and yesterday were equally distant from him now, for just at that moment the bright red sun was shining down from the birch trees, and the air was cool and mild.

"I live all over the place," answered Snufkin, and put the coffee pot on the fire. "Today I happen to be here; tomorrow I will be somewhere else. I wander about as I please. When I find a place I like, I pith my tent and play my harmonica."

Snufkin walked about quietly, the trees of the forest surrounding him. It began to rain. The raindrops fell on his green hat and rain jacket. The pitter-patter and rustling of the rain was everywhere and the comforting, exquisite solitude of the forest engulfed him.

"Tonight is the night for a song," thought Snufkin. "I'll think up a new song that is one part anticipation, two parts pining for spring, and the rest a joyous declaration of how wonderful it is to be alone and at peace with yourself."

Snufkin's pace of life inspires me to remember to slow down, imbibe my surroundings, pay attention to the small things, and be comfortable in my skin.

This book is for anybody who needs a reminder of the things that really matter in one's life.

[Tina Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifull jewel of a book about one of my fave characters in Moominvalley......

"Other stars follow their particular orbit,like trains running along the track, but comets move around haphazardly, popping up where you least expect them" explained Moonintroll...
"Why, they are like me then said Snufkin with a grin. They must be sky-wanderers.

[Paula Lukkariniemi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tänään 9.2.2020 sain loppuun kirjan nimeltä Nuuskamuikkusen mietekirja. Lukiessani kirjaa nimeltä Nuuskamuikkusen mietekirja minulle tuli sellainen tunne että Nuuskamuikkunen olisi puhunut minulle. Minulle tuli oikein todella hyvä mieli.

[Therése Mellby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gullig!

[Freya · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the illustrations. I love Snufkin as a character but out of context some of his thoughts don't have the same weight. It's a fun book though.

[Jonas Svarholt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Söt och klok bok.

[Heidi_2811 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Samaistun hyvin Nuuskamuikkusen ajatusmaailmaan. Varsinkin siihen että joskus haluaa olla yksin, ja luonnon ja maailman ihasteluun. Olisi ehkä kiva oppia soittamaan huuliharppua.

[Gabby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meet a book of quotes from Snufkin from all the the series. It was interesting if often lost without the context from the actual tales. Interesting and philosophical at times but lost in meaning at others.

[Arad · Rating 5 out of 5]

En av de viktigaste politiska verken som någonsin skrivits, Snusmumrikens lilla gröna innehåller citat av frihetsälskaren från Mumindalen. Starkt rekommenderat för alla som tror på friheten. Underhållande bok med bra illustrationer 5/5

[Athoob Al-Shuaibi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Snufkin is my favourite Moomin character. I like this coffee table book but I wish there were more thoughts to read.

[Naohiko Nakamura · Rating 3 out of 5]

詩的。

[τλιϓλ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I & my bro like this character a lot, sometimes we call him, voice of wisdom, his book was not less wise than his character in the series, wonderful one.

[Ola · Rating 3 out of 5]

En trevlig liten citatbok från Snusmumriken.

[Christine]

Snufkin is my favorite moomin character, and it was wonderful to read all his "most famoused thoughts"!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

My brother is Snufkin through and through...