Snoopy Complete Collection (25 Books + Bookshelf) (Boxed Set, 25 Volumes + 1 Set of Special Designed Snoopy Bookshelf)

Author: Charles M. Schulz
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-10-01
Features: "It was a dark and stormy night," in June 1965, Snoopy decided to become a great novelist, typing this clear, engaging, and ultimately unsuccessful opening on the heavy old typewriter. That year, Snoopy also shamelessly graced the cover of Time magazine, a spot previously occupied by figures like Kennedy, Khrushchev, or the Beatles. For Snoopy, born in 1950, his last major turning point as a (dog) had occurred in 1960, when he bravely stood up and no longer walked on all fours without dignity. He began to think independently, no longer just the chubby little boy's appendage, and discovered that sleeping on the roof better allowed him to showcase his talents. Even when he fell, he could say such famous lines as, "Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans." Over the next 40 years, Snoopy contentedly embraced the role of "the greatest dog in the world." Except for rare occasions, he generally believed that "dogs" were indeed a species unrelated to himself. And he was the World War I pilot, the meticulous writer, the cool guy strolling on Sunday afternoons, a verbose lawyer—though his activities rarely went beyond the backyard, his followers were merely four clumsy birds, and his camping dream was nothing more than eating instant white cake. Yet this did nothing to prevent him from going to the moon, organizing large-scale military offensives, or having a few drinks in a Parisian tavern. In short, apart from his deep-seated hatred for cats, he lacked any trace of a "dog." Charlie Brown had to despairingly endure his companion's arrogance, heartlessness, and relentless determination. Look, even when starving at night, Snoopy still displayed a baronial dignity and pride. Over the past few decades, at least 355 million people worldwide have followed his life daily, yet it has never affected his nonchalant attitude. For 50 years, the American Charles M. Schulz had been tirelessly drawing comic strips, idolizing Picasso but still being delusional in pushing him into the ranks of immortal artists. Moreover, for many years, this unassuming old man's greatest wish was simply to be accompanied by these little men and dogs. The daily comic strips could not carry the true pursuit of intellect and emotion. He inherited the tradition of serial columns from Balzac, Alexandre Dumas, and Charles Dickens, but apart from talent, the form and space he had were much smaller. On those idle afternoons, those disheartened and lonely nights, nothing was more comforting than reading about Snoopy. You watch these little guys' troubled childhoods, Charlie Brown grieving over football and kites, a little dog facing the eternal dilemma—he wants to be everything but ultimately remains just a dog. Within the small squares, though the plots are ordinary and repetitive, you never get tired of them, just as Snoopy never refuses another plate of cookies. What is it that entices us? Since the late 1960s, Schulz has intentionally limited Snoopy's shine, for this little beagle was deeply charming and even guided the development of the comic. From Charlie Brown's frustrations, we see the reality of life, the helplessness and mediocrity we face, but Snoopy turns daily life into real adventures: a dried-up swimming pool becomes the English Channel, a pointed roof becomes a fighter jet, and all the residents of Peanuts become supporting characters for Snoopy, their only purpose being to highlight this extraordinary little dog. With sunglasses on, Snoopy, like the blind Borges, practices "strong imagination creates reality." Schulz preferred Charlie Brown, while Snoopy carelessly shone brightly. Please put on your flying helmet, and we will follow our comic hero on an exciting adventure. Look at him—he truly is an amazing little dog.