The original title (in Swedish) Farlig Midsommar (1954). Translated by Thomas Warburton First published in English by Ernest Benn Ltd 1955. Published in Puffin Books 1971. Puffin Books, London. Paperback, 144 pages.



The blurb:

A great flood wave threatens Moomin Valley!

When the Moomin family is flooded out of its home, the Moomins set about finding themselves a new one. And being resourceful little creatures, they soon find a very original one … a floating theatre!

“They seem to grow in wisdom and delight every time I read them … a perfect marriage of word and picture.”
— Philip Pullman


Tove (Marika) Jansson (1914—2001) at Pegasos — A literature related site in Finland
Tove Jansson at Wikipedia

Moomin Characters
Moomin at Wikipedia

The Moominvalley of the Tampere Art Museum
Moomin Museum at Wikipedia

I hope you don’t mind that I bent the rules of ApoloniaX’s European Full Moon Multi-Winner RABCK Contest by sending you two books instead of one. I got you one of your wishlist books and then realised you’re a friend of Moomins. I just couldn’t resist sending you one you probably haven’t got yet. After all, Moomins are one of Finland’s best gifts to the world. maybe even the best one. Besides, you may release the books without reading them first if you like. (Isn’t bookcrossing just fabulous?) However, if you’ll decide to read Moominsummer Madness, I have a request for you. But before all, Enjoy!
With some BC friends, I once discussed the Moomins. We were wondering if they are too culture-specific. They are children’s books but the fact is that in Finland also grown-ups read, re-read and love them. For us, they are philosophic statements. We see a kind of Moomin ideology in them; something about tolerating and accepting diversity, being just what you are, etc. And we were wondering if it’s even possible for a non-Finn to see them in the same way.
That’s why I hope that after reading the book, you’ll make a journal entry telling how you liked it. And if you didn’t, please, don’t hesitate to say so. I’m just curious. :)


Edit. April 8, 2010. Put Moomins into the mailbox today. Tomorrow they'll start travelling...somewhere.

Fantastic! Thank you so much! No, I've not read this one and I'm looking forward to catching up with the summer-season Moomins! And thank you for the Snork Maiden postcard too! Very kind of you.

I half-rememberd this from my childhood, and even then its gentle weirdness made me think that it was the strangest of the Moomin books, and I still do! Odd, but not odd enough to scare. And it had my favourite characters, the Hattifatteners, with a picture in glorious technicolour! (OK, black and white, but that's technicolour for Hattifatteners.)

I like the idea of seeing the Moomin books as philosophy. I don't think that strikes a chord with the Anglo-Saxon work ethic though. Nobody does any work, but there's always food on the table and new furniture whenever Moominmamma wants it. Snufkin as a workshy layabout? Heresy! Idealistic wishful-thinking maybe?

A wonderful book, in the truest sense of the word! Now to let it keep travelling.......

This book is off on a ray! The order of recipients is below. Please journal the book on receipt and please add Controlled Release notes when you pass it on to the next recipient so we can all see where it is.

1. RebeccaToh
2. tohweiee
3. klaradyn
4. azuki
5. hakkalina
6. Tsjara
7. KiwiinEngland - DONE!

Thank you!

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

To Malaysia

Hello! Moomins have arrived at my doorsteps yesterday 20/4/2010 2:35PM MSIAN TIME safe and sound.

Thank you for the postcard Flambard. :)

This will be my first introduction to the Moomins and I'm sure it will be truly exciting.
I'll let you know what I think when I finish reading it. ;)

This is my first Moomin book. It's marvellous. The Moomins are a very optimistic and idealistic bunch. I can even relate to some of the characters in there.

It may be a children's book but equally it plays a part in giving us wisdom. We can learn a lot from the Moomins.

The Moomins may help to nurture our young and remind ourselves of our diminishing humanity and cultural values.

Definitely a light, refreshing and educational read. :) I truly enjoyed reading it.
Thanks Flambard again for allowing me to participate.


Looking forward to reading more about their adventures.

It's now off to tohweiee in China. Enjoy!

Picked it up after work today.
Thanks couz!

It was a rather queer children's book. At times it didn't even feel like one but it's true that it's easy for anyone to relate to at least one of the characters in there in one way or another.

Quite a little something with a difference.

Will PM the next person and attempt to send it off ASAP.

Finally.. it's on its way to klaradyn in South Africa.

Enjoy!

Arrived today. Thanks for sending, tohweiee!

Mailed to azuki today. Sorry for the delay in sending on! Used airmail, so should be there within a week or so!

My book #39 for the Keep Them Moving challenge.

I got it last week but somehow keep forgetting to journal it when I was on the computer, sorry. I am so happy Moomin is here, the copy is lovely. I have two books to finish before starting on this.

This is my second Moomin book. The first was a ring too, though I forgot the title. It seems like there are a few books missing in between, as many characters are new to me.

I totally agree with Philip Pullman: “They seem to grow in wisdom and delight every time I read them … a perfect marriage of word and picture.” So true. I sometimes feel it's more an adult book with children-book illustration.

Really enjoyed this book , which will now continue its journal. Thanks so much for sharing!

It arrived!! I was looking forward to getting it finally. Thank you so much!!

Update: 2011.02.07.
I am aware of the coming deadline, but I haven't finished the book yet.
I asked extra time to read. I will do my best to send it on asap.

Update: 2011.02.18.
I still have some chapters to read, I progress, although I must stop a little bit now, since I run into a problem. Partly I am filled with remorse for holding this book up, and this emotion stops me to enjoy the reading, I want to finish it, on the other hand I would like to enjoy moomins. Yesterday I was so much angry at myself, so I put aside the book. I must talk with myself.. Thanks your patience with me.

Update: 2011.02.25.
I enjoyed this book, mostly the wisdom of moominmama and moominpapa, as how they look at the world around them. I would like to own this book, so I will look for copy.

Finally the book is travelling to its next reader!

What a nice surprise to find a Moomin book in the post today, thanks Hakkalina! (and for the chocolate(?) candybar too!) I had almost forgotten I signed up for this bookray haha :p
It does look very bright and cheery, wish it was summer here already.. ^_^ Thanks for sharing flambard!

Another wonderful Moomin book, I just loved it! The Moomins are always so accepting of everything..just go with the flow :p (though I couldn't help thinking of Japan as I read this just after the tsunami there). And I never knew the Hattifatteners grew from seeds, they are quite scary.. And Snufkin a father haha.. who would have thought? But the woodies are very cute! The drawings are great, as always (the characters just look so funny sometimes). Hmm.. I'll have to look for a copy for myself ^_^

Will mail this to KiwiinEngland sometime this week.

On its way to Ireland now. Safe travels little book :)

Arrived on a sunny day in Dublin. Thanks for posting it on.

An enjoyable way to spend a day reading. For someone not raised with Moomin books they become easier to read the more you are exposed to them, creatures and characters are introduced and make little sense until you are used to them. These are stories to re-read and enjoy more each time as you feel at ease with the characters and not left pondering the strangeness of the names/habits of the creatures.

To add to the discussion started by Tarna, I think these books do travel well outside of Finland and do teach tolerance (especially the interaction of Moominmamma with anyone). Most of the characters have very specific character traits, I suppose to let children identify these aspects in other people...for examply Little My is constantly harsh.

There are two aspects of the Moomins I grow uneasy with the more I read them. The first is their tendency to take material things from others without issue, while this may be a way of showing sharing and not valuing material goods Snufkins way of wandering about, breaking into houses, and taking people's food and clothing without any quarms is too easily seen in UK society.

The other issue, which I find really disturbing, is the sexism of the stories. Moominmamma is always sewing, making, baking, and handing out cups of tea...it makes a lovely family feeling but reinforces gender roles. But worse is the interaction of the two wee moomins, Moomintroll and the Snorkmaiden. When they are stuck in a tree Snorkmaiden cries and Moomintroll says "now don't you cry dear....and please comb your fringe a little, because I like to see you beautiful" Argggggh, don't fancy having that concept taught to girls now adays.

Anyway, perhaps I am reading too much into the Snufkins actions.

Reserved to give as a surprise RABCK to someone attending the Nottingham UnConvention in Sept 2011.