Page 45 Review by Stephen
“Pappa? There is some villain outside!”
“How exciting!”
That’s no villain, that’s Mymble’s mother and her seventeen new brothers and sisters! Oh wait, it is a villain because she’s invited herself to stay with no warning at all and no plans to leave until Midsummer. Also, she’s oblivious to the wretched little monsters’ chaos and destruction.
“Don’t they fight each other?”
“Of course. But I don’t like to keep scolding them. I just… pour some water over them… or lemonade.”
Little My is the worst, rousing the rabble into abducting Mrs. Fillyjonk’s offspring and tying them to totem poles. She’s relentless and remorseless in terrorising the Moomin household, while her mother takes a positive pride in what she sees as skills. Poor Moomins: always the victims of their own goodwill and hospitality! In the end, they can only persuade her to behave by abiding by My’s harsh ultimatum: she wants Moomintroll’s bedroom all to herself.
And that’s why he has to build a house for himself and Snorkmaiden. He’s… not very good at it.
Another full-colour slice from the MOOMIN black and white albums, presenting the ultimate in poor parenting and the dangers of D.I.Y.. Which is why I don’t do any. D.I.Y. or parenting – take your pick. See also: dusting, vacuuming, washing up… We could be here all day.
