My latest contribution to the Tove Trove Library is ‘Letters from Tove’, a substantial collection of letters written by Tove Jansson to her closest friends and loved ones during her life.
LGB
Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual fiction and non-fiction.
Tove Telegraph #ToveTrove
In another, hopefully useful, addition to my Tove Trove project, I bring you the latest insights, publication announcements and critical perspectives from the ever‑inspiring world of Tove Jansson…
The Moomins and the Great Flood by Tove Jansson #ToveTrove
The latest addition to the Moomin shelf in the Tove Trove library is the first book in the original series, published in 1945 during the final months of World War II. This year its 80th anniversary is being celebrated around the world.
Moominpappa at Sea by Tove Jansson #ToveTrove
My latest addition to the Moomin shelf of the Tove Trove library is the eighth book in the original series, first published in 1965.
All’s Fair in Love and Work #ToveTrove
As part of the ongoing Tove Trove project, I share my reflections on ‘Fair Play’, Tove Jansson’s “happy tales about two women”.
What is Finland? #ToveTrove
A brief flip through the English-language edition of ‘This is FINLAND 2025-26’ – a magazine filled with fascinating articles, including several about Tove Jansson and her Moomin characters.
An Island of Note #ToveTrove
As part of the ongoing Tove Trove project, I share my musings on Tove Jansson and Tuulikki Pietilä’s ‘Notes from an Island’.
‘Don’t Feed the Trolls’
As much to prove I’m not strictly moominogamous (i.e. not a one troll woman) as because I very much enjoyed reading this urban fantasy novel, I decided to share my thoughts on ‘Troll: A Love Story’ by the Finnish science fiction and fantasy writer, Johanna Sinisalo.
A Rare Travel Documentary #ToveTrove
I recently joined a live stream to watch ‘Tove and Tooti in Europe’ – a rarely shown documentary of Tove Jansson and her partner Tuulikki Pietilä’s travel footage.
BOOK REVIEW: In the Dream House: A Memoir
Carmen Maria Machado’s absorbing and brilliantly unorthodox account of an abusive relationship is due for publication in the UK on 2nd January 2020.
TOVE TROVE: Introduction & Books #ToveTrove
My latest literary project entails reading books written by or about Tove Jansson – creator of the Moomins.
BOOK REVIEW: Conversations with Wilde: A Fictional Dialogue Based on Biographical Facts
Imagined by Oscar Wilde’s own grandson, this fictionalised conversation presents a fascinating biography of the poet, playwright and gay martyr.
BOOK REVIEW: Crimson
Crimson is a tale of love, lust, despondency and ‘queer life’ in modern Greenland.
BOOK REVIEW: Disbanded Kingdom
A 21st-century coming-of-age story, set against the emotive backdrop of the United Kingdom’s breakaway from the European Union and its threatened rupture with Scotland.
BOOK REVIEW: The Great Believers
A powerful novel of friendship and redemption in the face of tragedy and loss set in 1980s Chicago and contemporary Paris.
BOOK REVIEW: Orchid & the Wasp
A dark but highly amusing coming-of-age story, which encompasses sexuality, mental health, class, religion and contemporary politics. Caoilinn Hughes has written a stunningly ambitious debut novel.
Remembering Amy Levy
It is 130 years since the publication of Reuben Sachs by Amy Levy, a novel about the unfulfilled lives of Victorian women. We look back at the short but controversial life of its author.
BOOK REVIEW: Swan Song
A deft, dazzling, diligently researched debut about a literary icon and his beautiful, wealthy, spoiled Swans.
BOOK REVIEW: White Houses
The story of an unexpected and forbidden love affair that developed between America’s First Lady and a well-known female journalist.
BOOK REVIEW: Ayiti
This debut collection from Roxane Gay is a unique blend of fiction, non-fiction and poetry, all interwoven to represent the Haitian diaspora experience.