| Title | : | Comet in Moominland (The Moomins, #2) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 0713628278 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780713628272 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages | : | 192 |
| Publication | : | First published January 1, 1946 |
Comet in Moominland (The Moomins, #2) Reviews
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feeling whimsical
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[Note: Rating increased from 3 to 4 stars after reading the first moomin book,
The Moomins and the Great Flood.]
Moomintroll’s quiet life is upended when foreboding images of a star with a tail send him journeying to speak with the Professors at the Observatory. Meeting new friends along the way and forging through perilous adventures together, Moomintroll and his companions arrive at the Observatory where they learn a comet is headed towards earth. Worse yet – the comet is predicted to land precisely where Moomintroll lives with his Moominpappa and Moominmamma. Moomintroll must find a quick way home if he’s going to warn his family in time.
It’s not difficult to see why ‘Moominmania’ exists. Jansson’s book conveys an innocence rarely found in modern titles. An undeniable charm exudes from her fanciful characters – the same type of odd yet memorable creatures one anticipates finding in an L. Frank Baum novel.
Moomins have a simple way of life. Their relaxed attitudes, gardens, and lovingly prepared meals are reminiscent of Tolkien’s hobbits. In fact, Jansson’s descriptions of the whimsical setting often invoke the sense that one is reading about an alternate Shire – a feeling made more robust by Moomintroll and his friends journeying to the Lonely Mountains.
Halfway up the hill on their way grew a clump of blue-trees covered with big yellow pears, and of course they couldn’t get past that without Sniff deciding that he was hungry.
It certainly looked mysterious. Overhead the branches of the plum trees, oaks, and silver poplars met and formed a dark tunnel which led away into the unknown.
Despite the impending threat of a comet hitting the earth, Moomintroll and his companions are relatively carefree. They remain (mostly) focused in their task to hurry home as they're shuffled from one peculiar instance to the next. The narrative lacks a sense of urgency, yet there’s something cathartic about the sweet simplicity of Moomintroll’s adventure.
Sprinkled with darling illustrations, Comet in Moominland is a gentle tale of friendship and family. -
Moomin and Sniff explore a path which leads to the beach, they play, look at nature and find a cave, but they feel uneasy as they start to notice patterns carved into trees and objects, even seagulls arranged into the shape of a star with a tail. Moomin and Sniff set off on a journey to the observatory to find out what is happening.
We really enjoyed the details in this story, and the ideas. Before reading this for the first time as a child I had never thought what the ocean floor would look like if the sea disappeared, or what you would do if a comet was coming towards the place where you live or what belongings you would take if you had to suddenly leave.
As with all the Tove Jansson books we have read, we loved the relationships, the philosophy, the little creatures, the kindness and the reassuring safety of the moonin house that is there to come back to when your adventure is over. -
As I've said many times on this site, I dislike translations on principle - but I am trying to do something about my miserable German, and when I saw this book at Foyles last week it immediately seemed like a good idea. I know the Swedish original well, and I figured that it should be easy to read and would improve my sketchy vocabulary. That worked out even better than I had hoped, and I already feel measurably more confident.
What surprised me, though, was that for once I experienced the translation as utterly convincing. Not has been casting scorn on my claims here, and asking the obvious questions: given that my German is terrible, how can I know this is brilliant? But I just know. Even though I'm no good at the language, I have heard it spoken a great deal, and I understand how it's pronounced. I can hear it in my head when I'm reading, and it sounds exactly like the Swedish original. Everything is there. The rhythm of the narrative, with its ironic alternation of comedy and tragedy; the charming dialogues between the unforgettable characters; even the made-up names. It's a little miracle. The English translation is quite different. I can understand every word, rather than having to guess a quarter of them, but the soul of the book has disappeared. It isn't Tove Jansson any more.
If you know German, and haven't read it already, get yourself a copy. It's just one of the best children's books ever written. -
This review has been revised and can now be found at
Expendable Mudge Muses Aloud. -
How can it be that, unlike in the United Kingdom and the rest of Europe, the Moomin sagas never caught on in the United States? Finnish author
Tove Jansson's tales of the white, hippo-like Moomintroll and his parents, Moominmamma and Moominpappa, would delight children and parents alike, the latter probably enjoying them even more, as adults can get the sly humor. I simply don't understand how Moominmania could possibly have bypassed the United States when it swept through Europe?
Comet in Moominland, the second in the series, follows Moomintroll; his rodent-like friend, the timid Sniff; and yet another pal, the clever tramp Snufkin, as they investigate the trajectory of a comet bound for Earth. Imagine their alarm when, after many adventures, they arrive at the Lonely Mountains and find out from the astronomers there that the comet will land in just four days' time!
The band race back to Moominvalley to save the day -- and consult Moominmamma, as wise children do. With this gentle story, the outcome's never in doubt, but Comet in Moominland never descends to the saccharine -- far from it! I frequently laughed out loud at some of the snarky passages, especially involving Sniff's vying for credit and the young Moomintroll's bashful crush on the pretty Snork maiden.
I'm going to try to read the entire series. Why should childhood be wasted only on the young? -
A beautiful, ironic parody of the Armageddon-style killer meteorite movie, written before any of them existed. There are so many brilliant little details. I particularly loved the out-of-touch astronomers at the observatory, who have calculated exactly when the comet will strike ("possibly four seconds later," they add scrupulously), but seem completely uninterested by the fact that it will wipe out everyone in Moomin Valley.
In case you're worried, though, the Moomin family is more than a match for one little rogue comet, and Moominpappa's wonderfully absurd solution saves the day. The writing in the original Swedish is impeccable; Jansson's unique blend of humor, melancholy and acute observation all comes together perfectly. I think this is her best book, and have read it several times. Suitable for anyone from eight to eighty-eight. -
Šventinis muminukų rereadas - seniausiai planavau, bet tik mumių filmas Skanoramoj privertė iš naujo pasiimti. Ačiū jam ir Skanoramai už paskatinimą.
Nors "Kometa" išėjo 1946 m., Jansson muziejuje skaičiau, kad knygą ji rašė per karą. Skaitydama šiandien (ir dar ne vaikystėje) to jau nebegali atmatyti, muminukui lekiant iki Observatorijos ir atgal namo, prasilenkiant su bėgančiaisiais nuo karo/susidūrimo susigriebus, kas po ranka pakliuvo. Žingsniavimas su kojūkais per nuslūgusią jūrą, užsimiršimo balius ir šokiai girioje paskutinį kartą prieš susidūrimą - kiek daug vaizdinių visa tai iššaukia, nuo Von Triero "Melancholijos" iki László Nemeso "Saulėlydžio".
Ko nebuvau ir niekada nebūčiau pastebėjusi, skaitydama anksčiau:
- visas karo ~ kometos kontekstas ir tie desperatiški bandymai išspausti iš gyvenimo viską, net jei liko nedaug, kaip muminuko mamos skubamas padaryt tortas, kurį reikia spėti ir pagamint, ir suvalgyti iki kometos.
- kaip vis dėlto užknisa Snifas!! jis kaip koks piktybinis trimetis, kur nuolat viską sugadina, neduoda ramybės, dar apkaltina visą pasaulį, jei kas nesiseka. Vaikiška, bet ir nervuoja, nieko negali padaryt.
- vaikystėj mačiau Snusmumriką kaip independent free spirit, bet dabar skaitant visos tos auros neliko nė kvapo. Šitoj knygelėj jis pasirodo pirmą kartą, pasakoja, kad neturi šeimos, nepažįsta mamos, galbūt yra rastas krepšely upėj. Graudžiausia scena, kur net gerklę užspaudė: keliaudami namo į slėnį, kad spėtų iki kometos, jie sustoja kažkokioj parduotuvėlėj. Snifas prisirenka visokio šlamšto ir terorizuoja pardavėją, kad viską jiems duotų nemokamai ir dar primokėtų. O pardavėja įkalbinėja Snusmumriką išsirinkt naujas kelnes vietoj savo sudėvėtų, jis pasimatuoja ir sako - labai gaila, man šitos tikrai netinka, jos per naujos, negalėsiu nešioti.
- Freken Snork visai ne tokia durna kaip prisiminiau; taip, ji fyfa, bet ir protinga, ir visai juokinga. Labiau stereotipiškas galbūt yra dėl jos galvą pametęs muminukas, įsimylėjęs dar net nepamatęs, tik išgirdęs apie ją iš Snusmumriko pasakojimų.
Skaičiau mažą anglišką leidimą su nuostabiai gražiu popierium ir nuostabiai gražiom Jansson iliustracijom per visą puslapį. LT leidime jos tokios pat, tik mažytės, o čia - visa ta grafika, kur muminukas dar visai pailgas, nardo po jūrą ir renka perlus arba stypčioja su kojūkais per buvusią jūrą - taip net nežemiška. Plius čia ta pirmoji istorijos versija, kur kometa turi nukristi ne spalį, o rugpjūtį, muminukas ir Snifas draugauja su šilkine beždžione, o ne katiniuku, pasakojime nepasirodo Mažoji Miu. Žinau, kad LT leidimas (kaip ir Skanoramos filmas) verstas iš kažkurios vėlesnės versijos, reikės ir tą atsišviežinti.
Visada identifikavausi su Mažąja Miu, bet po rereado tenka pripažint, kad turbūt aš vis dėlto Snorkas - toks control freakas, kuriam dėl visko reikia šaukti posėdžius ir nuspręsti, viską daryt pagal planą, o jei planą pavogė uraganas, tai viskas, tragedija, gyvenime nebėr orientyrų ir geriau jau tegul ta kometa viską sunaikina. Šita draaaama, supratau, irgi nesvetima......
Grožis:
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REVIEW OF THE 1970 GERMAN TRANSLATION BY VIVICA AND KURT BANDLER
This here (and unfortunately also extremely rare and generally rather massively expensive if indeed even available used online) Ravensburger Taschenbücher German language translation of Tove Jansson's Komet im Mumintal (which Swedish language original title on the Goodreads database is Kometer kommer, although Vivica and Kurt Bandler's 1970 translation actually claims the original title to have been Kometjakten) was one of my favourite childhood reads (a book that I received in a large stack of about twenty Ravensburger Taschenbücher as a birthday present in 1975, a book that I took with me when we immigrated to Canada in 1976 and that I even carried along in my trunk when I went to university in New Brunswick in 1985, where it unfortunately ended up somehow disappearing during one of those silly residence "panty raids" during frosh week, and oh boy, was I ever both sad and seriously, lastingly peeved because of that).
And honestly, to and for me personally, Vivica and Kurt Bandler's translation (and I finally did locate a reasonably intact and not too shabby copy online a couple of years ago), it still and absolutely feels as THE ONE German language version of Komet im Mumintal I do love the most, as the more recent translation by Birgitta Kicherer at least in my opinion leaves way way too much to be desired and in particular that it fails to present far too many important details, such as for example patently ignoring the little silk monkey, who though strangely and incomprehensibly is still featured in Tove Jannsson's accompanying illustrations but has textually seemingly been textually forgotten by Kicherer (albeit that according to readers who have read the original Swedish version, Kicherer supposedly does include parts that were left out by the Bandlers in 1970, but I for one simply cannot handle the removal of that delightful little silk monkey). And sorry, but with Elizabeth Portch's English language translation, with Comet in Moominland (which I did try and originally had quite high hopes for) her writing style, her narrational renderings expression and cadence wise, they both just do not at least for me in any way capture the delightful magic of the story, as they tend to make me feel aloof, above and beyond, and not really rooting for and exploring with Moomin, Sniff, Snuffkin and the rest of the group (but just dispassionately observing them and theirs).
However, while I do personally and always will prefer the Bandlers' 1970 German language translation, their 1970 rendition of Komet im Mumintal, I would still if recommending this second Moomin novel most definitely suggest Elizabeth Portch’s English language translation, I would absolutely recommend Comet in Moominland before I would in any way even consider recommending Birgitta Kicherer's more recent German language rendition, as the latter just really and frustratingly bothers me to on end with its additions and especially with its annoying subtractions and abridgements (and sorry, but even if it is indeed true that the recent German translation contains parts that appear in the Swedish original and do not appear in the 1970 translation, the little silk monkey has always been a personal favourite and I was quite seeing red so to speak when I could not find her textually in the Birgitta Kicherer translation). And indeed, if you speak and read German and are actually able to find Vivica and Kurt Bandler's 1970 Ravensburger Taschenbücher translation online, yes, do consider reading their Komet im Mumintal, with its reddish and orange hued book cover of Moomin, Sniff, Snuffkin et al crossing the evaporated ocean on their stilts, as it truly is a lovely, evocative and fun, as well as occasionally eye-opening romp, a fantastical experience for young and old.
And finally with regard to Tove Jansson’s featured themes and contents, what I love the most lastingly about Komet im Mumintal (and actually, this pertains to all of the Moomin books I have read so far) are the delightfully anecdotal episodes, which although generally complete in themselves also never feel as though they are hanging in space so to speak, as though there is not a thread of continuity from beginning to end, with the chapters seamlessly moving from the first inklings that a comet could perhaps be arriving to the fateful day it does (and how close the earth comes to disaster). But for me even more importantly (and probably the main reason why I have always so much adored the Moomin novels both as a child and now as an adult) I have so much appreciated how very much humanely and with personal understanding and supportiveness, Jansson describes and presents her diverse and often rather intriguing characters, and yes that even those individuals who show potentially problematic or negative behaviour patterns (such as Sniff, the Hemulens and even the silent, creepy Hattifatteners) are shown not only as negative but also with positiveness and much authorial understanding (and considering that the Hemulens, for example, with their OCD like obsessions and neuro-atypical ways and means could easily be considered as being on the autism spectrum, the Moomin books are in my humble opinion also interesting and important discussion vehicles, especially considering that these novels were for the most part penned at a time when autism and other such syndromes were not as yet really part of public awareness and the public conscience). -
Many years ago I was in hospital with a suspected fractured skull (turned out to be just a bad concussion) and this book was in the hospital book shop. I was not in the mood for anything heavy, for obvious reasons, so I read this, which was my first encounter with the Moomins in book form. I had fond memories of the fuzzy felt tv show when I was a kid but had no idea at the time the show was based on a series of books, so I was pleasantly surprised to find this.
Needless to say, I loved it, and really enjoyed revisiting it all these years later. The Moomins are quirky and adorable and often really quite funny. If you can forgive some very shonky astrophysics, this is a fun, little fantasy adventure story for all the family. -
Just revisited this book for the first time in a long while by reading it aloud to my 6 year-old. Two main thoughts:
1. I love Tove Jansson. She always writes with a slightly off-beat charm (one of my favorite bits in this book is the title of the butterfly collecting Hemulin's book, Moths of the Eastern Hemisphere: their Behavior and Misbehavior) and her stories tend to swing uneasily between the surreal (Hattifatteners, anyone?) and the comforting (coffee and cake), a style which I found somewhat confusing as a child, but came to adore when I reread the books in college. However, this is one of her earliest books, and it shows. After Moomintroll and his friends learn that a comet is threatening the earth, they travel to an observatory to learn more about it. Much of the story consists of them encountering one peril after another on their long journey. It gets a little repetitive, and that contributes to a general flatness and lack of emotional depth to this book. Also there's some rather tedious gender stereotyping in the relationship between Moomintroll and the Snork Maiden -- even as a child, I thought the Snork Maiden was overdoing the damsel in distress act. But I can forgive Jansson all this for the wonderful chapter about crossing the dried up sea on stilts.
2. This perhaps was not the best choice of book to read aloud to a child who is already prone to fanatsizing and worring about calamatous events, such as the sun blowing up. But I told him it had a happy ending (that's not a spoiler, right? I mean we know they're not wiped out by the comet because of all the sequels), and he enjoyed it a lot, and I loved reading it aloud. We are ready to start Finn Family Moomintroll!
ETA: Days after finishing this, I've decided to change my review to four stars, because despite its flaws the book has stuck with me, and the writing was so lovely and the penultimate chapter so exciting. -
Strange nature phenomenons in Moominvalley appear suddenly, making Moomintroll and Sniff worry. They decide to go visit a remote observatory in the Lonely Mountains, meeting new friends along the way, and learn that an incoming comet is threatening Moonminvalley… can they get back home soon enough?
This is the second book in the series, and it introduces us to Snork and his sister who Moomintroll develops a crush on, plus the wandering minimalist Snufkin whose clear head and skills in harmonica playing saves the mood a lot of the time. Sniff is I guess the childish-self in this story, easily scared, easily bored, easily exhausted, easily attracted to shiny things, but he does care in this story. And I keep loving Moominmamma a lot, her food and her calmness, and her belief in everything turning out alright, and that Moomintroll will find his way back home with others.
This is a book with a lot of heartwarming stuff, some melancholy stuff, and uneasiness, especially
as the signs of coming Comet increase Some familiar things appear here: the bridge, the cave, and the sea will remain a part of the series. I'm so glad that And there’s always Moominmamma to comfort you. <3 -
Trolītis Mumins un Snifs dodas uzzināt, vai tiešām Zemei tuvojas Komēta, un kā no tās izglābties.
Lieliski, kad bērnībā lasīta grāmata nav zaudējusi ne kripatas arī lasot vēlāk. Jansones tēli ir pietiekami mīlīgi, bet ar daudziem trūkumiem, nu gluži kā īsti cilvēki, kaut arī Muminielejā nav neviena paša cilvēkveidīgā!
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Najlepsze, co można czytać, kiedy człowiek umiera od sesji!
Muminki mnie zaskakują: może odzwyczaiłem się od bajek i dziwi mnie to niemalże "prorocze" poszerzanie drużyny mieszkającej w dolinie? może nie spodziewałem się znaleźć tak dużo smaczków dla starszych czytelników? może nadinterpretuje pewne wzorce osobowe, czy zachowania bohaterów dostrzegając w nich konkretne syndromy psychologiczne?
Mimo powyższego moje zdanie o najbardziej znanej serii Tove Jansson wyklaruje się najpewniej jeszcze po kilku częściach cyklu :)
PS To WYDANIE zawierające dziesiątki ilustracji autorki jest NIESAMOWITE.
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Re-read 02.04.2020
No change in rating.
15.06.2014
Like so many Finnish children of a certain generation, I grew up watching the Moomins tv-series (there are still reruns every once in a while, and the magic has never faded) and visited
Moomin World. Now, to honor Tove Jansson's centenary, I started a project of reading all her Moomin books. Maybe the rest of her body of work as well, if I have the time or enthusiasm.
When the 1992 animated movie premiered in Finland, my mom took me to see it. The part where Muskrat sits on the cake was funny, but mostly the oppressive mood stayed with me. I don't remember the happy ending, but I do remember the part where creatures big and small were hurrying away from Moominvalley with all their possessions, the frantic search for the kitten, and the red sky that reminded of the impending doom.
The book is very similar to the movie with minor differences (the change of the chump Silk Monkey into a kitten worked better in my opinion), and has echoes of nuclear explosions and their scorching power to destroy everything. Everyone in the valley has their way of surviving in the middle of an increasing dread of an uncertain future. Moominmamma just keeps going with her chores and bakes a cake, but Moomintroll and Sniff travel to the Observatory of the Lonely Mountains to find out more about the approaching comet. On their journey they meet other familiar characters who join the Moomin family.
The contrast between them all works great (Sniff is a selfish whiner, the fickle Snork Maiden is vain and loves beautiful things, and the practical Snork is obsessed about details and having meetings about everything). There's a little of them in all of us. Snufkin is my favorite, and here we meet him for the first time. He sees beauty even in the starkest of sceneries and proves to be a great asset to the group with his experience in adventures."It was a funny little path, winding here and there, dashing off in different directions, and sometimes even tying a knot in itself from sheer joy. (You don't get tired of a path like that, and I'm not sure that it doesn't get you home quicker in the end."
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I love the first Moomin books... the illustration style is so different and cute and quite silly :3 -
"Cik dīvaini tu jūties, ja tu ej un pēc kaut kā ilgojies," saka Mumins, un es jau (eju un) ilgojos pēc nākamās Muminpiedzīvojumu grāmatas.
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Just delightful! I never read these as a child, but I believe this is the beginning of a new obsession.
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Już zapomniałam, jaką frajdę sprawia czytanie Muminków. Teraz chyba jeszcze większą niż gdy byłam dzieckiem. Jest jednak kilka rzeczy, na które dopiero teraz zwróciłam uwagę:
* Muminki piją wino. Dużo wina
* Tatuś Muminka ma poletko tytoniowe
* Muminek żłopie hektolitry kawy
* Migotek ma strasznie hejterski stosunek do siostry: "Popatrzcie na mnie! - zawołała Panna Migotka. - Jakoś sobie radzę! Bo nic nie myślę, tylko wyczuwam!
- O tym wiemy - rzekł jej brat". Całkiem słusznie, bo Panna Migotka to idiotka. Zapomniałam, jak bardzo irytująca, małostkowa i pusta jest ta postać.
*Ryjek i jego czarnowidztwo (utożsamiam się z tym): "To pewnie jest pustynia - rzekł Ryjek ponuro. - Pustynia, na której nasze kości zbieleją i nikt ich nigdy nie odnajdzie. Głowa mnie boli!".
*Włóczykij i jego filozofia minimalizmu, takie "Less waste" właściwie - szanuję.
Nie powiem, fajnie było wrócić do tego świata! -
Tik neierasti lasīt grāmatu, kur visi Muminielejas draudziņi vēl nav satikušies, bet kādai no grāmatām jau bija jābūt iesākumā. Sižetiski man šis stāsts šķiet vismazāk saistošais no pēdējā laikā pārlasītajām muminu grāmatām, ir sižeta caurumi vai nu autores vai tulkotājas izpildījumā, un vispār. Bet, protams, tos atsver zvēriņi, kuriem nepieciešama īpaša uzmanība (Snifs un Bizamžurka) ar visiem viņu izgājieniem. Ak, un Snorke ar tām sapulcēm.
Jocīgi, cik komētas nākšana šobrīd ir aktuāla. Ja es to neredzu un domāju par ko citu, tad nebaidos. Kā Snorkes jaunkundze.
- Vai tie visi ir tavi? - Snifs čukstēja.
- Tie pieder man, kamēr es te dzīvoju, - Susuriņš bezrūpīgi atteica. - Man pieder viss, ko es redzu un par ko priecājos. Visa zeme, ja tev tā tīk.
Drošāk ir tikai dot mājienu, ka tu kaut ko briesmīgi mīli. -
Iesākumā nācās ik pēc lapas atgriezties pie jau lasītā, bet, kad izdevās atslēgties no darbadienas trauksmes un pieslēgties mirklim, izbaudīju pilnībā. Lieliska grāmata.
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Dar viena, iki šiol nepatekusi man į rankas Trolių Mumių knyga. Kurioje, beje, pirmą kartą pristatomas mano favoritas Snusmumrikas. Like.
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REVIEW OF THE ELIZABETH PORTCH TRANSLATION
No, I am just not all that much textually enamoured of Elizabeth Portch's translation of Tove Jansson's 1946 Kometjakten, I really have not (the two times I did try) enjoyed reading Comet in Moominland even remotely as much as I have always oh so totally adored Vivica and Kurt Bandler's 1970 German language translation (their exquisite Komet im Muminland), which was one of my favourite childhood novels and which I have indeed adored just as much during my recent rereads.
And indeed, it really and obviously is the general narrative flow of the Elizabeth Portch translation that seems to bother me and take away quite a large amount of potential narrative magic, as well as the annoying fact that far too often and in my opinion, Portch presents English vocabulary choices in her rendering into English of Tove Jansson's original Swedish text that read and feel idiomatically awkward, such as for example her using the word swear as a noun instead of the much more natural sounding oath (two words that might well mean the same semantically, but well, for the context of Comet in Moominland, oath totally sounds better and much less artificial), and therefore, leaving Comet in Moominland thematically in most ways quite as delightful for me as Komet im Muminland has always been but stylistically rather hugely frustrating and majorly aggravating. For yes, with regard to Tove Jansson’s featured themes and contents, what I love the most lastingly about the Bandlers' translation, about Komet im Mumintal, this actually totally also pertains Elizabeth Portch's rendition, also holds generally true for Comet in Moominland, as the delightfully anecdotal episodes, although generally complete in and of themselves never seem to feel as though they are hanging in space so to speak, as though there is not a thread of continuity from beginning to end in both Komet im Muminland and Comet in Moominland, with the chapters seamlessly moving from the first inklings that a comet could perhaps be arriving to the fateful day it does (and how close the earth comes to total and utter disaster).
However, for me even more importantly (and probably one of the main reasons why I have always so much adored the Moomin novels on a content and themed based level both as a child and now as an adult) I really do appreciate how very much humanely and with personal understanding and supportiveness, Jansson (and by extension her translators) describe and present her diverse and often rather intriguing characters, and that even those individuals who show potentially problematic or negative behaviour patterns (such as Sniff, the Hemulens and even the silent, creepy Hattifatteners) are shown and presented not only as negative but also with positiveness and much authorial understanding (and considering that the Hemulens, for example, with their OCD like obsessions and neuro-atypical ways and means could easily be considered as perhaps being on the autism spectrum, the Moomin books are in my humble opinion also interesting and important discussion vehicles, especially considering that these stories were for the most part penned by Tove Jansson at a time when autism and other such syndromes were not as yet really part of public awareness and the public conscience).
But unfortunately, the for and to my personal reading tastes more than a trifle substandard quality of Elizabeth Portch's translation of Kometjakten, of Tove Jansson’s original Swedish (even if I do indeed have no content and thematic based bones of contention), this does definitely and indeed take away quite a bit of potential joy of reading for Comet in Moominland (and to make me even more appreciative of the exquisite and wonderful magic of Vivica and Kurt Bandler's rendition, of their 1970 Komet im Muminland) and to thus and unfortunately also consider both Comet in Moominland and Elizabeth Portch as translator rather mediocre at best, still to be thematically recommended of course, but yes, if you do read German and if you are able to locate a copy of the Bandlers' 1970 (and sadly usually quite rare and expensive) Komet im Muminland, to most definitely read this instead (but of course, I am also rather majorly biased here, but I do stand by this since both personally and with regard to narrative style I strongly consider Elizabeth Portch as not really a very decent translator of Tove Jansson, since well, I have also not really enjoyed Finn Family Moomintroll either and indeed mostly because of Portch's textually frustrating lack of decent translation efforts). -
The Moomins, a family of trolls, have appeared in my life in various ways; I vaguely remember having read (or having been read) one of the novels as a young child - as an older child I remember the animated series on television. I happened across it by accident and spent much time in enjoyable confusion about the names and natures of the seemingly infinite cast of characters. This year I decided I wanted to find out more than my hazy memories could tell me and in the process stumbled across the fact that Tove Jansson had written and drawn a Moomin strip comic for a British newspaper and I acquired the first volume of the collected strip comics and read it. I was pleasantly surprised to find it densely but gently satirical as well as pleased to find that the bizarre imagination (particularly for characters who are mythic or completely invented creatures) was most definitely as I recalled.
This meant I still didn't know what the novels were like, but encouraged by the high quality of the comic strip and my memories, I decided to give Comet in Moominland a go - selected because it was the first written (though not first published, I think) of the Moomin novels.
It turned out to be a delightful, pleasant book, strong on imagined characters and incidental mystery - what is a Snufkin? Just how much difference is there between a Troll and a Snork? Everybody and everything is introduced blithely as if common-place without any real requirement for detailed explanation. Everybody knows what a Hattifattener is, really - description is almost superfluous.
The plot is epic compared to those in the volume of comic strips I read - the fate of Moomin Valley (and the rest of the world, really) is at stake and an arduous journey is undertaken to request knowledge and help in saving the day.
The gentle satire is present but in lesser quantity - a philosopher who states that everything is Unnecessary, is never-the-less rather keen on creature comforts (all the more so because he is a creature - a Muskrat)and not being destroyed by the impact of a celstial body. Not keen enough to actually help avert the crisis, however. The scientists that Moomintroll appeals to for information and help take no interest, but pour out all their knowledge to the Snork Maiden when asked about their work...
Contrast of characters is also used to give a Message about the moral and physical dangers of too much attachment to physical belongings (a sentiment expressed in the comic strip, too). The characters are also used to promote the virtues of friendship and familial love. Moomintroll's faith that his mother, Moominmama will fix everything if only they can get back to her in time, is touching - hasn't there been a time in all our lives when we had absolute faith that Mum could resolve any problem satisfactorily?
I suppose it is not too much of a spoiler to reveal that Moomintroll, friends and family, The Valley of the Moomins and even the rest of the planet survive to return in more books; I look forward to reading them.
I would say that comparing Comic Strip vol.1 to Novel 1, the strip has just a slight edge in my opinion because it is more densely packed with satire, but that a greater focus on plot is suited to the novel as a form, so perhaps each should be enjoyed for their own merits and comparison should not be dwelled on too much.
Now, if only some-one would tell me what order the rest of the novels are meant to be read in.... -
I have to say that my experience of the Moomins was limited to a rather disturbing animated series from my childhood (okay it unsettled me) so when I stumbled across the history of these iconic characters I was more than a little intrigued.
So here I am working through the collectors edition learning the original stories that have endured so long and I have to say that reading the first in the series (it was neither the first book I had read from Tove Jansson nor it transpires is it the first in the series) of the collectors editions the first things that struck me was how dark the story was.
I will not give it away nor will I say that it was not an endearing story but really any story that presents the end of the world (at least for the Moomins) is off to a dark start and no I am not giving anything away considering the cover of this edition.
However I can say that there is still the charm and warmth of the various characters you would expect and I have to admit that this book has all the greater resonance for it.
As for it NOT being the first in the series - that would be the great flood - it would seem that was not released in this format or at least is no longer recognised as it - oh well back to hunting down that one now as it was referenced a number of times and it does feel like cheating starting a series mid-way through. -
Traki jocīgi lasīt oriģinālā grāmatu, kuras tulkojumu bērnībā zināju gandrīz no galvas. Bet brīnišķīgi tāpat.
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4.5
This exciting adventure tale would be a great read-aloud for grades two through five. The ending had me on the edge of my seat in a race against time and impending disaster as a comet speeds toward earth!
After finding foreboding patterns of comets in the forest and being told by Muskrat that a comet is approaching earth, Moomintroll and his buddy, Sniff, set out to find the observatory in the Lonely Mountains and find out more information from the professors there. They have questions like, "Will it hit the earth?" and "When?!"
This twelve chapter book (some chapters long, some short) is filled with adventure, danger, crocodiles, giant lizards, poisonous bushes, swarms of grasshoppers, a tornado and a race to return home! Will they make it?!
Moomintroll exhibits the same lovely character traits as he did in Moominland Midwinter - kindness, compassion, bravery, selflessness, curiosity and enthusiasm. He rescues the charming Snork Maiden and a beautiful and loving friendship develops.
Comet in Moominland was the first full length book about the Moomins, written after Tove Jansson's first Moomin story, The Moomins and the Great Flood. Tove Jansson's delightful black and white illustrations perfectly detail and lend great visuals to the story. In the front of this paperback book, there is a three page Moominland Gallery of illustrations of the different characters in Moominland and their names. The back of the book has a brief biography of Tove Jansson, a timeline of her works and brief descriptions of eight of the Moominland books available in paperback. -
Tove Jansson is a genius! Her humor is always understated and overdone -- a unique absurdist matter of fact emotionally evasive and, of course, refreshingly direct, marshmallowy slapstick.
"I can't leave my imperial snorks to the comet!"
I so love the ghost in this one, and the dance, the heroic tree-climbing incident, and the moving of things to "safer places." The disappearing ocean, the pisciculturist, his screaming shrimp, and the fantastic finale.
Jansson makes terrible fun of dramatic tension and scientists, and, I'm pretty sure, humans (we are ridiculous). There is an eerie and beautiful foreboding and, as always, joke after joke after off-beat joke.
Always a good way to start the weekend.
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The Moomin books are always deceptively simple. I love how Jansson balances the matter-of-fact and the bizarre, and always constructs her stories with her characters front and centre, with all their flaws and quirks and earnest humanity. I always feel like I've learned some big things after reading these. I was especially interested in checking this one out as I hadn't read it before, and it's the first appearance of Snufkin, who is in a lot of ways my favourite character.
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4.5
