Books

First edition in English, first impression. This is the fifth in the series of Moomintroll books and was first published in Swedish as Farlig midsommar in 1954. "The light, summery Trollkarlen's hatt and Moominsummer Madness, written early in Jansson's career, are full of comic and romantic ingredients" (National Biography of Finland). The inspiration for the Moomintrolls came through a combination of Swedish and Jansson-family folklore: Jansson's uncle Einar concocted the name "Moomintroll" to describe creatures whose characteristics drew on traditional stories of Scandinavian trolls. The first of Jansson's Moomin novels to be translated into English was the Finn Family Moomintroll, published in Swedish as Trollkarlen's hatt in 1948. Octavo. Original red boards, spine lettered in gilt, Little My in gilt on front cover. With illustrated dust jacket. Illustrations in text by author. Minor bumps to spine ends and corners, binding square, contents fresh; jacket unclipped, pencilled re-price sometime partially erased, nicks to edges with associated gentle creasing, short closed tear to head of rear panel, covers bright: a near-fine copy in very good jacket. .

Moominsummer Madness tells the enchanting story of the Moomin family as they navigate a series of adventures during the Midsummer blackout caused by a great flood. Their home is submerged, forcing them to seek shelter in a floating theater, which leads to a cascade of whimsical and magical events.