34 Comments

This was an absolute delight to read. Thank you.

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It was a delight to write as well. Thanks for reading it 🙏

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I loved learning about this person I’d never known about. What an interesting life! Thanks for writing and sharing.

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What a lovely way to live a life, surrounded by art, love, books, and water…all the best parts of living! I love how she said they moved to the island to “avoid the bombardments of the world.” I think I need to buy an island!

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A remarkably creative artist.

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Bailey, thank you. My wife, Ashley, shared your winsome writing with me. You curated such beauty here. The tenderness you extend in revealing Tove and Tooti’s measured risks and enchanting existences is so honoring. The last dance knocked the wind out of me. Thank you for bringing them into the light. May we all continue to be blessed with the history of queer lovers and celebrate their endurance. Seeing it is possible to be happy, in spite of it all, the joy of such possibility is inspiration to keep going.

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💓thank you Frances!!!!

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So many lives would be different if we had had them as role models for our sentimental and artistic education, but it’s never too late…

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What a rich piece. Thank you so much for it.

Just saw that @Tanya Shadrick had also used the word “rich” in her comment. It’s the multilayered, and intriguing, and emotionally true quality of your writing, those wonderful unposed photographs, and Jansson’s personality that elicit the adjective rich so readily.

Loved it, man.

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This is lovely, crafted with such thought and care. Thank you for sharing it

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What a beautifully rich piece this was. A joy to read. Thank you for writing it.

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This is so wonderful, Bailey!

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what a lovely story to read. i’ve always wondered a bit about the little Moomins. and they don’t disappoint. that you so so much. so well told.

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Those bookcases in the cottage! Wonderful to see. Loved this, thank you.

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that illustration of Psipsina made me swoon. such a good rendering of cat vibe

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You've taken my mind off current events with this splendid story and I'm grateful. Such an unexpected treat! I like them more for their disdain of housework.

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Wonderful article. Thanks for introducing me to Tove!

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Thank you! Loved reading this.

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What a wonderful read. Thank you for writing it. The Moomins is one of my favorite books ever, and Tove Jansson was already one of my favorite creators ever, and now even more.

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