"Muminpappans memoarer" - Tove Jansson

"Muminpappans memoarer"—or Moominpappa’s Memoirs in the original Swedish!

"Muminpappans memoarer" (Moominpappa’s Memoirs)—originally titled Muminpappans Bravader Skrivna av Honom Själv (1950)—is the fourth book in the main Moomin series by Finnish author Tove Jansson.

Moominpappa has written his fascinating autobiography and shares it with Moomintroll and his friends. At the beginning of the story, he is placed in an orphanage but finds it dull and cannot stand the strict Director. So, he leaves in search of adventure.

Memoirs… is one of the most altered books in the Moomin series. There were three manuscripts, one of which had no title. The other two working titles were "The Turbulent Youth of a Certain Moominpappa. Memories" and "About My Turbulent Youth, the Memoirs of a Certain Moominpappa." Writing about Moominpappa’s youth was a key project, as it served as a continuation of Finn Family Moomintroll. At its core was the question of creative identity. By making Moominpappa a writer, Tove equates him with herself and her own craft. She even gives him her own birthday, August 9th, though this detail was later removed from subsequent editions.

The book was inspired by the Renaissance artist’s work, The Autobiography of Benvenuto Cellini, considered a masterpiece of early autobiography. Like Tove’s father, the sculptor Viktor Jansson, Cellini becomes a perfect subject for parodying the grandiosity of male writing. Moominpappa is motivated to write his memoirs after coming across "noteworthy, wise words" in "the memoirs of another great personality," namely Cellini. He describes himself as "a great Moomin," "extraordinarily intelligent." In Memoirs…, he portrays the process of shaping his character, yet he remains fundamentally unchanged. The real driving force is his desire to tell stories.

Through Moominpappa’s Memoirs, Jansson builds a backstory for the Moomin family and their friends. It is a tale of three fathers: Moominpappa, Fidgety, Sniff’s father, and Joxter, Snufkin’s father, as well as their future partners and children.

Even before the publication of Memoirs…, Tove’s work had begun to reach a wider audience. Theatrical performances were staged, the first Moomin-themed merchandise was produced, and films were made. The Moomins were crossing the ocean. Moominpappa’s Memoirs was meant to solidify this success and launch the era of full-fledged Moominmania.

(Excerpts from the book Tove Jansson, Mama Muminków by Boel Westin.)

 The original Moomin series in Swedish

 Level B2

 This is the 4th entry in the main Moomin series

Why Should You Read This Book in Swedish?

• Timeless stories have a stronger impact when read in their original language.
• This is the original edition from the Finnish publisher.
• The book includes the author's original illustrations.
• It is beautifully published, featuring a fabric spine and embossed details.
• A perfect gift idea!
• A great read for children who speak Swedish.

Children's Books?

With Det osynliga barnet (Tales from Moominvalley), the discussion about Tove Jansson as a children's author gained momentum. Critics unanimously debated the appropriate age of her audience.

In 1963, Stockholms Tidningen awarded Jansson the Finland-Swedish cultural prize for her short story collection.

Per Olov Sundman wrote that Tove’s stories “are not merely fairy tales for children.” With “all their inventiveness, poetic softness, whimsical and sometimes macabre accents,” they are also a read for older audiences. He described Tales from Moominvalley as “a collection of stimulating stories for adults.”

 

Perfect gift!

Could there be a better gift for a Moomin fan than the entire collection of adventures featuring the fantastic creatures of Moominvalley?

The books from the Finnish publisher Förlaget make a perfect gift for a loved one—or for yourself! They are beautifully published:

• Featuring fabric, linen-bound spines
• Preserving the author’s original illustrations
• With a sturdy, hardcover design that is wonderfully tactile

Despite common assumptions, the books were originally written with an adult audience in mind. However, over the years, they have gained a devoted following among children as well. After all, Moomin stories have the power to captivate and delight everyone!