Annotated 'Willows' is scholarly labor of love

Last update: May 18, 2009 - 4:25 PM

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THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS

By: Kenneth Grahame, edited and annotated by Seth Lerer.

Publisher: Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 270 pages, $35.

Review: A fascinating examination of the theory, language, history and culture embedded in the beloved 1908 classic children's book.

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You might think it a bit extreme to painstakingly annotate a children's book, but, oh, what a children's book. And oh, what an annotation.

Seth Lerer is a distinguished professor of literature at the University of California in San Diego, and this, his eighth book, is an exquisite examination of the nuances, allusions, Britishisms and context of Kenneth Grahame's wonderful 1908 novel, "The Wind in the Willows" -- a book that all of us grew up reading, or should have. I remember sitting in my parents' living room as a young child, the radio tuned to WHSA-FM, Brule, Wis., waiting for "Chapter a Day" to come on, my copy of Kenneth Grahame in my lap so that I could read along.

I loved the story, even though there were references I did not get and language I did not understand. (Wisconsin Public Radio changed Ratty's exclamation of "You silly ass!" to "You silly fool!," giving me a lesson on the various meanings of the word "ass.")

Lerer goes far beyond simply defining words. He points out Grahame's nods to Keats and Wordsworth and Milton, and explains briefly, among other things, the British canal system, 19th-century English dream theory, Morris dancing, how the motor car changed Edwardian England and the paternalism of Mr. Badger. He frequently references the Oxford English Dictionary. It's all fascinating to dip into.

This big, lovely book is illustrated by some of the most famous Grahame illustrators -- Nancy Barnhart, Arthur Rackham, Wyndham Payne and, of course, Ernest H. Shepherd, who brought to life the brash, cigar-smoking, swaggering Mr. Toad. This book is a labor of great scholarship, but it is also, clearly, a labor of love.

LAURIE HERTZEL

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Here are some of Books Editor Laurie Hertzel's favorite sites and blogs. Got a literary link to share? E-mail Laurie.

Twin Cities Literary Scavenger Hunt Home page for the scavenger hunt, which runs now through Dec. 26.
Reading Minnesota A blog that features Minnesota writers, illustrators, publishers, bookstores, and reviewers.
Talk of the Stacks An author series from the Library Foundation of Hennepin County.
Poets & Writers The website for Poets and Writers Magazine--podcasts, author interviews, and writing resources.
Creative Writing A place to keep apprised of writing competitions in the United States.
Gather Minnesota Readers The Website for Minnesota Public Radio's books blog.
The Loft Literary Center The Website for the Loft, a local place for writers and readers.
Good Reads A way to track what you're reading, and what your friends are reading.
Lost Manuscripts Just what it sounds like - a blog (sporadically updated) devoted to missing and destroyed manuscripts.
Maud Newton Very hip, reviews, links, a little attitude.
bookreporter.com A plethora of online book reviews and reading guides.
Rain Taxi Rain Taxi Review of Books.