Here at Green Bean Books we wax ecstatic at the mere MENTION of a muskrat! We've paid homage to these semi-aquatic rodents with an old-fashioned muskrat vending machine after all! Imagine my delight when, during this muggy morning's re-reading of Tove Jansson's Comet in Moominland , I made the acquaintance of a PHILOSOPHER MUSKRAT!
"I am the Muskrat," said the wretched creature faintly. "A philosopher, you know. I should just like to point out that your bridge-building activities have completely ruined my house in the river bank, and although ultimately it doesn't matter what happens, I must say even a philosopher does not care for being soaked to the skin!"
Thus proceeds Muskrat's first surly soliloquy. Muskrat moves in with the Moomins and begins to conduct his vita contemplativa from a hammock among their flowering trees, deeming all endeavors save musing, the drinking of palm-tree wine, and the munching of an occasional ginger-nut "UNNECESSARY!" Muskrat remains stoic even regards the impending arrival of an EARTH-SHATTERING super comet! (Real-life muskrats are notoriously adaptable and omnivorous. (NOT PICKY EATERS!))
The only crack in the facade of his dispassion is occasioned by his sitting on Moomintroll's lemon peel and crystallized pear cake! "'Now I shall be sticky for the rest of my life, I suppose," said the Muskrat bitterly. "I only hope I can bear it like a man and a philosopher." The motley crew gobbles up the contriturated treat despite the muskiness!
"I am the Muskrat," said the wretched creature faintly. "A philosopher, you know. I should just like to point out that your bridge-building activities have completely ruined my house in the river bank, and although ultimately it doesn't matter what happens, I must say even a philosopher does not care for being soaked to the skin!"
Thus proceeds Muskrat's first surly soliloquy. Muskrat moves in with the Moomins and begins to conduct his vita contemplativa from a hammock among their flowering trees, deeming all endeavors save musing, the drinking of palm-tree wine, and the munching of an occasional ginger-nut "UNNECESSARY!" Muskrat remains stoic even regards the impending arrival of an EARTH-SHATTERING super comet! (Real-life muskrats are notoriously adaptable and omnivorous. (NOT PICKY EATERS!))
The only crack in the facade of his dispassion is occasioned by his sitting on Moomintroll's lemon peel and crystallized pear cake! "'Now I shall be sticky for the rest of my life, I suppose," said the Muskrat bitterly. "I only hope I can bear it like a man and a philosopher." The motley crew gobbles up the contriturated treat despite the muskiness!
Muskrat is just one scruffy sample of how Jansson's stories integrate goofiness and gravity. She's a master of both sincerity and slapstick! Big Questions and bloopers! This is true of her Moomin chapter books, her comics, and even of her grown-up books--of which I am an especially vocal enthusiast! The Summer Book is a riotous and heart-wrenching story about the life of an island-dwelling little girl and her grandmother. Read more about this prolific author, illustratress and fellow muskrat-maniac here!
Bonus muskrats in literature! From Raggedy Ann's Wishing Pebble by Johnny Gruelle ! "Everyone is invited for ice cream soda at the Muskrats' house."
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