Reprints of Moomin books are causing outrage in Sweden.
In addition to books, Moomins have also been made into TV series. TERTU LEVONEN
New versions of Tove Jansson’s Moomin books have been made since 2018. These books are now receiving exceptionally harsh criticism in Sweden.
Illustrator and writer Jöns Mellgren now criticizes the Bonnier publishing house’s solutions in terms of books in very harsh terms.
He says that the new books “completely water down the authorship”.
Mellgren writes in Expressen that in the reissues, Jansson’s unique voice has been changed into “flattering prose”. Mellgren accuses the publishing house of removing hundreds of atmospheric and lively text passages.
The new Moomin books have sparked a lot of discussion in Sweden, and they have been accused of impoverishing children’s culture.
Bonnier’s Chief Ulrika Caperius naturally disagrees. According to him, it is not about impoverishing children’s culture, but preserving and nurturing it.
Swedish authors in new versions Alex Haridi and Cecilia Davidsson have rewritten the stories based on Jansson’s classic works.
The remakes have also been translated into Finnish. IL
