"Bildhuggarens dotter" - Tove Jansson

"Bildhuggarens dotter", in the original Swedish!

The autobiographical story Bildhuggarens dotter was published in 1968. It marked a literary turning point: her first book written directly for adults, without illustrations, without the Moomins.

In Bildhuggarens dotter, Tove Jansson gives readers a glimpse into her own childhood, magical and mysterious, surrounded by an aura of everyday life. Jansson describes the home of an artistic bohemian family in Helsinki, where boisterous parties last for days, but she also portrays a much calmer place of summer rest in the archipelago.

Jansson spent many years writing down stories about her parents in draft form, so that in the end she could publish them as a miniature book for adults. The book was therefore not the result of sudden inspiration, but of years of reflection.

In Bildhuggarens dotter, she described her own version of her childhood years. The writer’s “I,” the sculptor’s daughter, remains unnamed. The names of the father (Victor) and the mother (Signe) also never appear in the text. It has nevertheless been taken for granted that the author is identical with the child Tove Jansson.

Art comes first in this house. The father sculpts, the mother draws for a living. Although their roles are clearly defined, art as such is placed above gender divisions. In writing the book, Tove gave her father the central role. His creativity shapes the house, the atmosphere, and the family. At the same time, the stories are permeated by frequent depictions of the daughter and her relationship to her mother. The mother introduces her to literature and the world of imagination, while the father is associated with the stage, the dark studio, and white figures.

(excerpts from the book Tove Jansson (...) by B. Westin)

In autumn 1968, Bildhuggarens dotter became one of the best-selling Swedish-language books in Finland. Many people asked for a sequel, but there was never any such plan.

Tove said:

“No, I will not let The Sculptor’s Daughter grow up. I have no intention of describing what happened to her later; I am interested only in the child’s way of experiencing.”

In time, Bildhuggarens dotter, alongside the Moomins, became Tove Jansson’s most frequently translated and widely distributed book. Contrary to the original plan, it was also published in an illustrated edition, with childhood photographs.

 Original Swedish edition from a Finnish publisher

 B2/C1 level

 One of the most important books in Tove Jansson’s literary output

Why is it worth reading this book in Swedish?

 It is the original edition from a Finnish publisher.

 The book describes Tove Jansson’s life from a child’s perspective, so you can get to know the author and her way of seeing the world better.

 An ideal gift idea, especially for fans of the writer!

 Since it is the original, you practice the language and learn from a natural source.

Tove Jansson, a Finnish writer, painter, illustrator, and comic strip artist.

She made her debut at the age of 14, and a year later her comic The Story of the Love-Struck Larvae, Kropella and Fabian was published. Always eccentric, she changed schools, dropped out of university, and knew she wanted to become a painter. The Moomin saga began with the creation of the “Moomintroll” in 1940. Since then, Jansson wrote a dozen children’s books and novels for adults, and painted several hundred works.

She celebrated her successes by buying herself hats.

She claimed that she herself was most like Snufkin, because he likes to be alone with himself.