muetenive's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I never read these as a child so thought I'd tick them off the list. I think I was unprepared for just how off the wall they are and surprised by how much of a slog I found them. The narrative just doesn't conform to any rules that I'm used to. But as they're effectively the relating of dreams I guess that's the point ? It's hard from a modern perspective to understand how these books have been so influential and have woven themselves into the framework of Western culture but I guess there just hadn't been anything like them before they were published. You can't argue with their influence. I mean I found myself going down 'rabbit holes' just researching them for goodness' sake !
This edition has a great introduction which provides a fascinating perspective on the books and the author. It also has the original illustrations by Tenniel, an artist Dodgson worked closely with for the first editions, and they're superb. Footnotes I ignored on first reading but decided to read both books again with footnotes and I'm glad I did. I felt I got a lot more out of the second reading as a result.
One of those books for which a rating seems somewhat redundant. I guess I'll give it a 3 based on my overall enjoyment of them.
This edition has a great introduction which provides a fascinating perspective on the books and the author. It also has the original illustrations by Tenniel, an artist Dodgson worked closely with for the first editions, and they're superb. Footnotes I ignored on first reading but decided to read both books again with footnotes and I'm glad I did. I felt I got a lot more out of the second reading as a result.
One of those books for which a rating seems somewhat redundant. I guess I'll give it a 3 based on my overall enjoyment of them.
freesien's review against another edition
3.0
3,5 stars
Silly and entertaining, I liked it very much! I found Through the Looking Glass to be much more enjoyable and funny, though.
Silly and entertaining, I liked it very much! I found Through the Looking Glass to be much more enjoyable and funny, though.
clauleesi's review against another edition
3.0
My ratings:
Alice in Wonderland - 3.5 stars
Alice through the Looking Glass - 2 stars
These books are known for being whimsical nonsense for a reason, but I was still a bit overwhelmed with how weird this was. And in my opinion, sometimes it worked, and sometimes it didn't. I am still very confused about the entirety of Through the Looking Glass.
It's worth to mention that I listened to these as an audiobook, which probably was a huge mistake. The narrator was maybe a tad bit too into it - sometimes he just started shouting, or whispered so that I couldn't even catch the words. The narrating made sense since it fit the book, but it also made it very hard to actually follow the story.
I did like the weird poems and song, and how Alice herself was such a huge, charming weirdo. It's easy to see why these books are such classics and gets retold over and over again - Wonderland is just so unique and inspiring. Carroll must have had either a huge imagination or a stash of shrooms.
Alice in Wonderland - 3.5 stars
Alice through the Looking Glass - 2 stars
These books are known for being whimsical nonsense for a reason, but I was still a bit overwhelmed with how weird this was. And in my opinion, sometimes it worked, and sometimes it didn't. I am still very confused about the entirety of Through the Looking Glass.
It's worth to mention that I listened to these as an audiobook, which probably was a huge mistake. The narrator was maybe a tad bit too into it - sometimes he just started shouting, or whispered so that I couldn't even catch the words. The narrating made sense since it fit the book, but it also made it very hard to actually follow the story.
I did like the weird poems and song, and how Alice herself was such a huge, charming weirdo. It's easy to see why these books are such classics and gets retold over and over again - Wonderland is just so unique and inspiring. Carroll must have had either a huge imagination or a stash of shrooms.
fictionalkate's review against another edition
2.0
First book was better than the second. I found the second to be simultaneously confusing and boring. I did like that it often felt like a spontaneous story being told to a child where you bring in elements from the world around you even when it doesn't make sense. Not my favourite. The poetry is the standout of an otherwise somewhat forgettable story.
lails_x's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
tkr's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
sofiaslibraryy's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I absolutely looove Alice in wonderland, it has always been a comfort story for me and ive loved the movies as long as I can remember. The edition I read also included through the looking glass which I also loved, it’s not as good as Alice in wonderland in my opinion but it was really good too, I think I would give that one 4 or 4.5 just by itself
It’s a cosy and strange piece of literature but I love it and Alice’s main goal in life is not to take it too seriously so I dont think this work needs to be analysed too seriously either tbh
It’s an old classic but in my opinion it holds upp perfectly to this day and everyone should read it no matter how old you are because it teaches the importance of dreams, imagination, question the strange and accept the weirdness in the world. It also shows that risks are worth it because it has rewards, going down the rabbit hole was a big risk but it leads to a magical journey. It talks about who you are and figuring out yourself, not getting stuck in the past and standing up for yourself. All these things are beautifully discussed in this book and I love it, again - it is a perfect read for anyone.
It’s written as a children’s fantasy book but it’s fun to think about the adult references with the magic mashroom and the little bottle of ”drink me” and other drug references, I just imagine the author and his friends sitting around talking about ideas for this
“but it’s no use going back to yesterday, because I was a different person then.”
It’s a cosy and strange piece of literature but I love it and Alice’s main goal in life is not to take it too seriously so I dont think this work needs to be analysed too seriously either tbh
It’s an old classic but in my opinion it holds upp perfectly to this day and everyone should read it no matter how old you are because it teaches the importance of dreams, imagination, question the strange and accept the weirdness in the world. It also shows that risks are worth it because it has rewards, going down the rabbit hole was a big risk but it leads to a magical journey. It talks about who you are and figuring out yourself, not getting stuck in the past and standing up for yourself. All these things are beautifully discussed in this book and I love it, again - it is a perfect read for anyone.
It’s written as a children’s fantasy book but it’s fun to think about the adult references with the magic mashroom and the little bottle of ”drink me” and other drug references, I just imagine the author and his friends sitting around talking about ideas for this
“but it’s no use going back to yesterday, because I was a different person then.”
shroomin's review against another edition
2.0
I really didnt like the writing style, honestly resent the storyline as well. No plot, just events.
nataalia_sanchez's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5