Tove Jansson was originally commissioned to create ‘a satirical comic strip for adults based on the beloved Moomin characters’, which explains the opening of this story: Moomintroll has lost his house, his girl, and his money because of his frivolous life. So he plans to commit suicide, but ‘unfortunately he swims too well’ and ends up floating in the sea until he meets his lost parents.

This hilarious story introduces readers to Moominmamma and Moominpappa, with all their typical characteristics. Moominpappa mistakes the missing Moomintroll floating in the sea for a barrel of whisky until the truth is revealed. Moominpappa’s constant thirst for adventure causes him and Moominmamma to run away from Moomintroll, but Moomintroll and Snorkmaiden, who returns to him for good, eventually reunite the family.

Before that, Moominpappa and Moominmamma have been enjoying their freedom to the fullest in their cave hideaway, eating exotic fruits under the chandelier and drinking champagne, wine, whiskey, and coffee, which was hard to come by at the time.

Unlike in the Moomin books, Sniff is portrayed in the comics as very greedy and willing to get rich even by dishonest means. 

Tove Jansson’s uninhibited “inter-pane revolution” continues in this story in a more restrained way: the Moomin and Family Life story has 10 different objects separating the panels, instead of the almost 30 in the Moomin and the Brigands story.

Moomin and Family Life, was published in 1955. The Finnish name is Muumiperhe, and the Swedish name is Muminfamiljen.