Snarkmaster: A Destiny in Eight Fits. a Tale Inspired by Lewis Carroll's the Hunting of the Snark

Although the author (with many previous unique Snarkian works under his belt) describes "Snarkmaster" as the final work in a trilogy, it stands alone quite distinctly as a unique, gripping tale of a power struggle between good and evil, concluding with the development of an unusual intermediate state. Most of the story takes place prior to the traditional Snark voyage (described in verse in Lewis Carroll's "The Hunting of the Snark"), but becomes inextricably linked with it-unless it isn't... The literary structure of "Snarkmaster" reveals some influence of Carroll's "Sylvie and Bruno" tales, as the characters (including the great Charles Dodgson himself) experience dream states and the appearance of at least one fairy. The comprehensive glossary and painstakingly hand-detailed maps of each of the islands in the archipelago may not be essential to follow the story, but they certainly enhance it. The meticulously hand-inked illustrations emphasize some of the important aspects of the story and provide a tropical ambiance for the text. While not necessarily a prerequisite, knowledge of Carroll's original poem is likely to make Snarkmaster more enjoyable for most readers.

Alison Tannenbaum is a member of the Lewis Carroll Society of North America and a contributor to the Society newsletter, "The Knight Letter." She worked as a neuro-biologist for 40 years and is a landscape designer.