Snoopy and "It Was a Dark and Stormy Night"

by Charles M. Schulz, 1971

 
First we get the backstory. A beagle named Snoopy (no last name is given) writes the great American novel. 

  
We follow him from the first sentence up through the submission process and ultimately the publication of his book, It Was a Dark and Stormy Night.


 
Midway through the book, the paper stock changes from sunny matte construction paper to a serious semi-gloss when we are presented with Snoopy's novel, a book-within-a-book. Pretty postmodern stuff.

 
The cover illustration is by one Lucy Van Pelt in a style reminiscent of outsider artist Henry Darger.

 
The sparse text reads like a riddle.

 
  
  
The jacket flap depicts not the author but a plush doll doppelganger. Is this the author's not-so-subtle comment on the commercialization of his likeness or simply more postmodern shenanigans from Mr. Snoopy?


 
The book shifts gears a final time detailing the post-publication process: dismal reviews and feebly attended book-signings.
The whole business ends on a downbeat note. Just like real life.

FOR MATURE CHILDREN ONLY.





 


 

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