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bronwensbooks's review
emotional
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Jansson has such a subtlety and a tenderness to her writing - these stories are very straightforward on the surface, but capture so much subtext and implication. I do think the blurb oversells how “dark” the collection is; if you’re expecting something along the lines of Shirley Jackson, you’ll be disappointed. Rather, these stories convey a kind of gentle melancholy that comes from human imperfection.
sumlittlebee's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
bupdaddy's review
4.0
I finished a book! Take that, Corvid-19 quarantine inertia!
OK, I'm kind of an idiot - I didn't realize this was a book of her short stories, thinking it was one of her typical novellas, until around "Chapter" 4 I began to wonder when any of these people might start to meet each other. So maybe the weirdness of the world today is affecting my reading comprehension, as it has most other facets of my life that require concentration.
But I think I got the swing of it by the end. Or maybe it's just a coincidence that the last few stories were my favorites. Her ability to write in ten words what other authors need two hundred for really shines toward the end, and her ability to communicate in what's unsaid what other people need to say is there too.
Well worth a read.
OK, I'm kind of an idiot - I didn't realize this was a book of her short stories, thinking it was one of her typical novellas, until around "Chapter" 4 I began to wonder when any of these people might start to meet each other. So maybe the weirdness of the world today is affecting my reading comprehension, as it has most other facets of my life that require concentration.
But I think I got the swing of it by the end. Or maybe it's just a coincidence that the last few stories were my favorites. Her ability to write in ten words what other authors need two hundred for really shines toward the end, and her ability to communicate in what's unsaid what other people need to say is there too.
Well worth a read.
sve100's review against another edition
5.0
Това е първият сборник на Туве Янсон, който ме кара да осъзная колко добре пише тя за възрастни. Деликатни и изключително дълбоки, достигат до най-тъмните кътчета,надникват в съкровено пазени тайни. Незначителните епизоди са наситени със случвания, скучните хора разкриват вълнуващи светове на ръба на лудостта (или гениалността?). Просто чудесна.
fishface's review
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Averaging three stars :)
As usual with a short story collection there are some hits (yay!) and misses (boo!)
Hits: Art in Nature, The Monkey, The Doll's House, A Leading Role, The Great Journey
Misses: The Cartoonist, White Lady, A Sense of Time, The Locomotive, Flower Child, A Memory from the New World
I'm feeling inspired to check out some of Tove Jansson's novels now. I'm guessing The Summer Book is the best place to start?
As usual with a short story collection there are some hits (yay!) and misses (boo!)
Hits: Art in Nature, The Monkey, The Doll's House, A Leading Role, The Great Journey
Misses: The Cartoonist, White Lady, A Sense of Time, The Locomotive, Flower Child, A Memory from the New World
I'm feeling inspired to check out some of Tove Jansson's novels now. I'm guessing The Summer Book is the best place to start?