Product Description

When the Moomin family members need a change of scenery, they decide to take up residence in a lighthouse. As they discover their new home, the family also discover surprising, and wonderfully funny, new things about themselves.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #195015 in Books
• Published on: 1993-10-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 228 pages

Review
The Moomins have grown up: their lighthouse and their island in this episode are the property of adults as well as children. Tired of the easy life of Moominvalley where Moominmamma runs everything and Moominpappa feels useless, husband and wife set off with Moomintroll and Little My for the lighthouse which awaits them. The Groke, who is everything cold and deadly, follows. They all have trouble adjusting to the new home, but finally a storm comes, bringing the island itself to life in fear of the sea. The Moomins and the anti-social fisherman draw together in the lighthouse, while bushes and trees sock shelter close by; the fisherman turns out to be the lighthouse keeper. The sea gives Moominpappa a carton of whiskey and some driftwood and they become friends, Moomintroll dances with the Groke and makes her warm, Moominmamma is no longer homesick, and the returned lighthouse keeper turns the light on. The Moomins have regained the feeling "that it's always Sunday"; Pappa says "It's just that feeling that we had lost." A psychological drama with an allegorical level, this chapter of the Moomin story cedes Moomin territory to the adults without totally dispossessing the children. (Kirkus Reviews)

Language Notes
Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Finnish

Customer Reviews

Sometimes the Quest is the Quest
Recently I had a conversation about books which affected us as children. I had the idea of returning to many of them to see if they still had value to an adult. My co-conspirator was European, and couldn't say enough about Tove Jansson, who, for many years, wrote the Moomin series. These are charming tales about a curious family of creatures. They entertain and teach at a deeper level than the cautionary tales that were often part of our experience as American children. Intrigued, I found a couple of volumes and set about reading them. The first of these is "Moominpappa at Sea."

The Moomin family is led by Moominpappa and Moominmamma. Following up behind are Moomintroll, the boy of the tale, and youngest is Little My, whose personality is best described as a bit thorny and imperturbable. The story starts with the Moomins living in a pleasant house near the Gulf of Finland. One is gradually drawn into the cadences of their conversation and little events that make up their lives. In addition, we meet the Groke, who is attracted to lamplight and freezes the ground where she stands. No sooner are we settled when, coming to the decision almost whimsically, the family determines to move to a small island across the sea where they will run a lighthouse. They load up their boat and sail off, with the Groke not far behind them.

The island has a gigantic lighthouse at one end, and its only inhabitant, a fisherman at the other. In short order Moominpappa is building furniture and trying to start up the lighthouse lamp, while Moominmamma works at making their new home livable. Moomintroll wanders the island investigating, finding a perfect place to hide, mermaids, and, eventually, the Groke, who will only stand and stare at the lamp he holds. Eventually Moominpappa realizes he doesn't understand how to start the lamp and, goes on to try other enthusiasms. Moominmamma struggles with trying to feel at home. Moomintroll finds himself entranced by the seahorses and perplexed by the Groke. Of course, Little My observes and remarks on everyone's activity. There is a general sense of discomfort, and the island, as time goes on, seems to become increasingly dark and hostile.

How the Moomins deal with this strange island, the Groke, and the other mysteries about them is by virtue of a nature which is both natural and miraculous. They do not work magic, but they themselves are the stuff of magic. The story is about how each of them finds themselves, and as they do, the world about them changes as well. In the course of time, the lighthouse turns and the Groke becomes warm. All this happens by subtle degrees. There is an almost Zen-like quality to the pace of the book, which is told in a narrative style that begs to be read aloud. This is not a book for one who wants everything laid out crystal clear. Rather it speaks to those who want to be engaged, mystified, and, finally, enchanted.

Give it a try!
As a children's librarian, I often try to get kids interested in the wonderful Moominbooks. However, only certain children seem to catch on, while many do not. I'm not quite sure why this is so. The Moomins originated in Finland, where perhaps kids are more attuned to nature and the world around them, to taking time for subtleties, thinking outside the box, and quiet wit; instead of being bombarded by extra stimuli all the time. At any rate, adults as well as kids would do well to investigate a superb book such as this. Each character has a depth all their own in this tale of a family who sets sail to discover an island and a mysterious lighthouse. There they try to understand their new environment, each other, and themselves. Delightful cartoon drawings by the author illuminate this wistful, magical book.

Blessed is the child who appreciates this quiet book
All the Moomin books are wonderful, and this one is certainly no exception. With a minimum of characters and an isolated setting, we are treated to a tale of subtle, mysterious, and introspective wonders. Deftly handled (I see so more the older I get) are the quite strength of Moominmamma, the frustrated ambitions of Moominpappa, the wistful sensitivity of Moomintroll, and the enviable independence of Little My. The early autumn atmosphere of deep pools, hidden thickets, lighthouse and storm are magical. First rate stuff.