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The Annotated Hunting of the Snark (The Annotated Books)

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Filled with exuberant language, The Annotated Hunting of the Snark is an unparalleled adventure, part nonsense, part ironic elucidation, suggesting that nothing is ever what it seems. Published on April Fool's Day 1876, Carroll's epic poem, The Hunting of the Snark, is elaborately presented with annotations by Martin Gardener, exploring the sea voyage of a crew determined to capture the elusive Snark; they are ten: a Bellman, a Boots, a maker of Bonnets and Hoods, a Barrister, a Broker, a Billiard-Maker, a Banker, a Beaver and a Butcher. The Snark itself presents a conundrum, be it beast of "Boojum", an entity that will cause them all to disappear.

For over a century, scholars have discussed Carroll's poem, its nonsense, allegories and anecdotes, rife with hidden meanings and scholarly interpretations. The annotations and illustrations in this volume are classic, black and white images of animated men and beasts, fantasy in the ink strokes of the artist's pen, page after page of fascinating annotations reflecting the variety of discussions engendered by the poem: "According to Humpty Dumpty, the word `mimsy" (from the first stanza of Jabberwocky) is a portmanteau word combining `miserable' and `flimsy'."

Each fit advances the story, introducing the crew members, each with his pretensions and expectations. Both dreamlike and illogical, The Annotated The Hunting of the Snark appeals in language and whimsy with undertones of danger, the unknown lurking, a virtual treasure trove of allegories for those inclined to such interpretation. It is Gardner who adds the unique spirit of this edition, expansively embracing "a personal God and much that confounds the simple or poverty-stricken or mindless materialism", while remaining "an untiring pursuer of pseudoscience and irrationality", the "space between a feeling heart and a thinking mind, between a love of the marvelous and a reverence for skeptical truth":

"In the midst of the word he was trying to say,
In the midst of his laughter and glee,
He had softly and suddenly vanished away-
For the Snark was a Boojum, you see."

Our modern world has been redefined by the specter of the Snark as Boojum, perhaps as death or a fear of extinction, a dread of the unknown. With its luxurious illustrations, the annotated poem is followed by a number of interesting pieces: "An Easter Greeting"; "A Commentary by Snarkophilus Snobs"; "The Clue" (a sequel); "Excepts from Henry Holiday's Reminiscences of My Life"; and an extensive bibliography, all in all, a grand adventure into a vast chasm of possibilities. Luan Gaines/2006.

"Just the place for a Snark! I have said it twice:
That alone should encourage the crew.
Just the place for a Snark! I have said it thrice:
What I tell you three times is true."

This fascinating "Agony in Eight Fits" composed by Lewis Carroll in 1876,is to Literature what a Trompe-l'oeil masterpiece is to the world of Art.Well,maybe only in a way; because once "discovered" in a painting ,the trick of the eye can be seen or understood. Maybe it is more akin to modern art where someone says "this is what the artist is saing" ;and people can say "Yes,I see what he means" ;but there's always something else.
With this poem,there have been countless interpretations and Carroll himself offered more questions than answers ,when asked what it meant.
This book was published as a Centennial Edition and annotated by Martin Gardner;famous for his features in "Scientific American Magazine" as well as a lifetime of interest ,writings and books in Mathematical Recreations.
All the plates as well as original shetches by Henry Holiday and extensive information are tncluded. To complete it all,a complete facsimile of the First Edirion is also included.
Although there has been endless things said and written about this famous work,this edition would be as good a place as any to start in seeing what this poem is all about.
One club,and there have been many,was founded in 1897 and lasted till the last meeing in 1914 on the eve of WWI.The number of members was severely restricted . "The club's eleven rules are so delightfully Snarkish that with the Bellman's permission",they are included in the book.
It is near impossible to write a review on this book other than to say,I spent an afternoon enjoying it,but one could spend a great deal of time studing it and writings about it.
I don't often refer to Reviews by others,but in this case I would be remiss not to note the excellent one written by Luan Gaines"Luansos" on November 6,2006.

"'Once upon a time there was a Boojum--'the Professor began,but stopped suddenly.'I forget the rest of the Fable,' he said.'And there was a lesson to be learned from it. I'm afraid I forget that,too.'"

This is a new version of older works. It has new introductions
and the new preface by Martin Gardner. This new version contains
additional and expanded thoughts on the main work. Being the latest
and greatest version to date.

There are some wonderful editions of 'Annotated Hunting of the Snark' out there, but this isn't one of them.
It has preface before preface before preface. To the point where you start to get bored before getting to the meat of the book.
It has the 'story' proper in ordinary sized, black type face. But the annotation is in light red (not pink, but washed out red) very small print. Hard to read.
And the beloved illustrations are not very closely placed to their mention in the book.
You better have lots of patience and very good eyesight if you buy this edition of a classic book.
Just my opinion.

This is a superb graphic as well as a compaion to the work itself. What I found to be of great value is the breath of different interpretations ot the so-called "nonsense" nature of the poem. Beautiful to view and delightful to read. One might like also to read "The Invisible Plague" by E.Fuller Torrey and Judith Miller which is a history of "madness" and in which Louis Carrol's poem, as well as others are cited. Explanations of some great works by other authors suffering from limited cases of "madness" of the Nineteenth Century are placed in context with the attempts to improve the situation for others suffering from schizophrenia and mania. The book is a marvelous overview of the history of mental disease from Ancient Egypt to the Present.

Highly recommended for readers interested in the timeless poem by Lewis Carroll. And this should encompass all those, regardless of age, who have a sense of humor and an element of wonder.

everything fine EXCEPT for a cut on the hard cover... everything fine EXCEPT for a cut on the hard cover... everything fine EXCEPT for a cut on the hard cover... everything fine EXCEPT for a cut on the hard cover... everything fine EXCEPT for a cut on the hard cover... everything fine EXCEPT for a cut on the hard cover... everything fine EXCEPT for a cut on the hard cover... everything fine EXCEPT for a cut on the hard cover... everything fine EXCEPT for a cut on the hard cover... everything fine EXCEPT for a cut on the hard cover... everything fine EXCEPT for a cut on the hard cover... everything fine EXCEPT for a cut on the hard cover...

This is a great copy of the Martin Gardner's annotation of this wonderful nonsense poem. Gardner's annotation makes the poem understandable and richer for the reader. I heartily recommend this book.