To get to the narrative structures that I assume have an impact on the psyche, I analysed selected works using the methodology at my disposal as a literary scholar.

And so the theme of my thesis, dressed up in the Polish title, T he Therapeutic Potential of Astrid Lindgren's Books, began to crystallise. What is it that fiction offers us that has such an incredible effect on human beings? We like, we love and we rally to a character who is actually homo fictus, not homo sapiens. What fascinates me, and will probably continue to fascinate me in literature for the rest of my life, is its effect on the psyche. Most people associate her mainly with Pippi, but I wanted to look at lesser-known works that had not yet been translated into Polish at the time. When I started working at UG as an assistant I had to choose 'my' research space and I concluded that I have always been interested in the works of Astrid Lindgren. I think the choice of the topic for my PhD can be considered the beginning. My adventure with this literature has been going on for more than 20 years.

When did you get the idea to channel these interests into research?

In your publications, I have noticed a concentration of interest not only in the world of the Moomins themselves but also in works for children and young people, for example, the works of Astrid Lindgren. UG, talks to Aleksandra Kuś about her book Philosophical and Translator's Wanderings in the Moominvalley, the non-binary Groke and the phenomenon of the Moomins.

Moomin reading