Why do squirrels go sailing?

     I once heard a book described thus: "Nothing happens, but it happens beautifully". The same could be said of Tove Jansson's stories, particularly those collected here in A Winter Book, so spare and seemingly inconsequential are they.

    Written almost 'style-lessly', in a conversational or thinking aloud form, Jansson's dismissive attitude and slightly absurdist humour come through with great charm. Every scene is rendered in close-up, like detail seen through a microscope, and with the same fascination a small child can find in a single leaf, a daisy or a puddle, but the ornery tone, bluff matter-of-fact delivery, the 'take it or leave it' insouciance almost draws attention away from her beautifully atmospheric writing.

     The longest story here, "The Squirrel" sees an older Tove aware of her mortality, struggling a little as she warily shares her island home with a solitary squirrel. It best reflects, perhaps, the poignancy which overlays the collection, but to find out more, go and see what Simon has to say on the subject in his post of a few days ago.

Comments

[Peter the Flautist]

So glad you liked it. P.

[Mary]

Intriguing - I loved her Moomin stories when I was younger, so thanks for the review!

[Bluestalking Reader]

Oh dear... That's two recomendations for Tove Jansson in the same week! Definitely one to add to the list.

[Melissa!]

You keeping adding to my 'books to read' list. Thank goodness I no longer get the book before I'm ready to read it and create another pile in my house anymore...but I'm tempted!

[Simon]

Love your review, Karen, it captures everything I thought about the book. I found 'The Squirrel' to be the most (perhaps only) disturbing one in the collection, though - disturbing, but still excellent.

[Peter the flautist]

Cornflower's readers may be interested to know that in another life "Dark Puss" is known to some of his colleagues as "Calvinist Squirrel". I wonder if they, like Jansson did, warily share their lives with me?

All Jansson's books are very good and strike a real chord with those brought up in the north of Europe. I hope that more of her adult work is translated soon.

DP

[Nan]

I just read about Tove Jansson on:

http://raggedroses.blogspot.com/

Pretty amazing!