The eNotated Hunting of the Snark

Though most ebooks are simple conversions of paper books, "The eNotated Hunting of the Snark" is a completely new approach that takes advantage of ebook technology by providing comprehensive eNotations (electronic annotations), essays, and background information conveniently accessible through links and a active table of contents. Written by Pam Sowers, researcher, journalist, and long-time "Snark" fan, this background biographical, historical, and interpretive information reveals a “Hunting of the Snark” not visible to most readers.


Sowers notes in her introduction that Snark is "a poem that 'describes with infinite humour the impossible journey of an improbable crew to find an inconceivable creature,'" a kind of "'Odyssey of the Nonsensical'" that "unlike the 'Alice' books, is not intended only for children", adding that "through the decades, 'the poem has continued to attract a small cult following of adult readers.'"


Comparing Snark to "Through the Looking Glass," Sowers say "Much of the poem shares words and ideas that first were used in the poem 'Jabberwocky' in 'Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There.'" but with "'less exuberance and wordplay and more adult fear and anxiety throughout' Despite having the overall theme of a quest, as 'Jabberwocky,' did, in 'Snark' there is 'none of the triumphant joy of the earlier ballad, since the hunt ends this time in failure,' as eventually adults must acknowledge that all lives end in death. Carroll was reminded of this physical fact daily; despite his faith, he was facing the unknown of this final transition, and wrote it out metaphorically in this poem. The author tried to face this with his former exuberance, but knew he was dancing against the coming darkness."


Sowers has written her eNotations with several different audiences in mind: "A young reader might just read through the main text and look at the pictures, while a slightly older reader might read the definitions as well: so much of the Victorian life that was so familiar to Carroll, along with the language that described it, has changed or disappeared over the decades. A parent or grandparent could read this edition with a child, sharing some of the background information in the notes."


This eNotated Classics edition of “The Hunting of the Snark” contains 30 illustrations, many in color, from the most beloved editions of Snark as well as more than 90 eNotations, an introduction, three fascinating essays, an extensive bibliography, and a chronology showing where Carroll and Snark fit in their times.


If you read "Snark" as a child, you’ll be amazed on reading the eNotated edition how much you missed and can now appreciate. If you value reading to your child, this eNotated edition, with it’s illustrations and eNotations, can provide opportunities for going beyond Carroll’s words - to discuss Victorian life, logic and language and how they function and perhaps how stories like this one provide metaphors for understanding one's life journey.