A revelation and a gift for all Tove Jansson (and Moomin) fans

'[The letters] cover war, fame and her first infatuation with another woman ... all related in a voice that is funny, gracious, intimate' The Observer "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.

"A unique and authentic voice that speaks to the reader across time and culture, heart to heart" - The Independent

"[The letters] cover war, fame and her first infatuation with another woman...all related in a voice that is funny, gracious, intimate" - The Observer

"Witty, shrewd and hugely entertaining" - Spectator

"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." - Irish Times

"There have been several major biographies of Tove, but reading her letters (to her mother, friends, lovers) over 50 years was a revelation. I thought: "Finally, it's her own authentic voice."" - Radio Times

"In Letters from Tove there are treasures aplenty - cultural history gems as well as biographical revelations, all related in a voice that's funny, gracious, intimate." - Guardian

"It's no surprise to discover from this marvellous collection that Tove Jansson wrote such wonderful, heartfelt, interesting letters." - Bookseller