Watch Neil Gaiman Recite Lewis Carroll’s “Jabberwocky” From Memory

Books News Neil Gaiman

Neil Gaiman agreed to perform Lewis Carroll’s nonsensical poem, “Jabberwocky,” if donors could hit $600,000 in contributions to Worldbuilders, a Wisconsin-based charity launched by Gaiman’s fellow fantasy writer Pat Rothfuss. The fundraising goal was reached this week, so Gaiman took to the woods yesterday morning to attempt the impressive feat of reciting “Jabberwocky” from memory.

Fans were able to vote for one of four children’s stories for Gaiman to read for Worldbuilders, with Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak, Fox in Socks by Dr. Seuss and Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown and Clement Hurd nominated alongside “Jabberwocky.” The selection of “Jabberwocky” was likely influenced by Gaiman’s Twitter disclosure that he had memorized the poem.

It’s not the first time Gaiman has read children’s literature for Worldbuilders. In February, he took on Dr. Seuss’s Green Eggs and Ham after the organization reached a fundraising goal of $500,000. Watch Gaiman’s theatrical take on “Jabberwocky” below.

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