Description

“I find myself talking to you about all the great joys, all the agonies, all my thoughts…” Letter to Eva Konikova, 1946

Out of the thousands of letters Tove Jansson wrote a cache remains that she addressed to her family, her dearest confidantes, and her lovers, male and female. Into these she spilled her innermost thoughts, defended her ideals and revealed her heart. To read these letters is both an act of startling intimacy and a rare privilege.

Penned with grace and humour, Letters from Tove offers an almost seamless commentary on Tove Jansson’s life as it unfolds within Helsinki’s bohemian circles and her island home. Spanning fifty years between her art studies and the height of Moomin fame, we share with her the bleakness of war; the hopes for love that were dashed and renewed, and her determined attempts to establish herself as an artist.

Vivid, inspiring and shining with integrity, Letters from Tove shows precisely how an aspiring and courageous young artist can evolve into a very great one.

Publisher Review

Tove Jansson was a genius, a woman of profound wisdom and great artistry -- Philip Pullman Her tales of Mominvalley are really only half the story of Jansson's quiet creative genius...her novels, short story collections and memoir writing form an equally shining achievement. -- Ali Smith A unique and authentic voice that speaks to the reader across time and culture, heart to heart -- Boyd Tonkin * The Independent * Tove Jansson is one of the greatest children's writers there has ever been -- Sir Terry Pratchett Letters from Tove offers readers the privilege of spending time inside an intelligent, creative, curious, generous, funny, unsentimental mind. Few books have given me as much pure pleasure this year. -- Anna Carey * Irish Times *