DNF at p. 116 of 220. I don’t think I understand the appeal of the Moomins. Unpleasant, unreflective characters in a cold, dreary, wet and lonely island, where a man repeatedly tries and fails to assert his masculinity in front of his tolerant but mostly uninterested family. Pretty Scandinavian, I suppose, but not very cheery and definitely not at all funny. ( )

We spent a couple of days on the coast last week and my wife gave me a lovely little hardback to read and help me relax while there. What an excellent choice Moominpappa at Sea (Sort of Books) by Tove Jansson was. She is a master of the simple tale that means so much, and the personalities and relationships that we all bear and encounter. This one is about fresh starts and the need to regain a sense of importance. And there was me thinking that my wife bought it for me because we were by the sea. I genuinely think everyone should read at least one Tove Jansson adult novel or Moomin book every year without fail, as therapy. ( )

Kinda like a social and situational absolute horror story, except not designed to scare. Just, "These are things that happen, and one rolls with them." My favorite to date. ( )

This one is nearly magical thinking the whole way through, along with some good commentary on the annoying character of fathers who have succeeded to the point where others no longer actively rely on them, then make those others suffer for it. ( )

After several "difficult" books, I figured it was time to revisit the Moomins. Sadly, this will be my last visit with them for a while, I plucked the last two Moomin books from the children's shelves in our library, and there won't be anymore for me to enjoy.

Anyway, in this book, it seems that Moominpappa is getting bored in Moomin Valley. He also has dreams of a lighthouse. Something like that. So he packs Moominmamma, Mommintroll and LittleMy into his boat, The Adventure, and heads out to sea. Eventually, they find the lighthouse. The lighthouse keeper seems to be missing. All they find is an old fisherman who doesn't communicate much. The island appears to have a life of its own—e.g. stones and trees move about—and it takes them all quite some time to figure things out.

I'm not sure this is at the level of the other Moomin books I've read, but it got better as I went along. Probably better because the writing can be lyrical in parts, the action mystical, and the Moomins adorable. Rather fun.
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