paulichi's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
mielybooks's review against another edition
4.0
esta versión es un poco más creppy y Alicia no es rubia pero me gusta sobre todo las partes del gato
bukephalos0603's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
bigbookslilreads's review against another edition
2.0
Even those that haven't read this book may be familiar with the story. Alice falls down a rabbit hole following a rushing White Rabbit that is much too late for his own good. She arrives at a world of nonsense and madness, and she must change herself in various ways to go back home.
The premise of the story is curious in itself, and becomes curiouser with each adaptation (some times not for the best reasons). From a children's fairytale to an exploration of the human psyche and psychadelic worlds, the book can be quite intriguing and spark the imagination.
I suppose with all the adaptations I had seen, and the idea that I had of it in my mind, I was fated to disappointment when I actually read the book. It is very non-sensical and quite chaotic in its plot and writing. In that sense it reads very much like a fever dream. And while that may be its ultimate point, it doesn't make for a very enjoyable read.
The parts that I enjoyed the most are those quoted everywhere, with the Mad Hatter and the Caterpillar. And it is quite enough for me to revisit those quotes, rather than reread this book.
I have read that further literary analysis can heighten the enjoyment of this book. I can see how Carroll included a lot of gems on argumentation and philosophy, for example.
However, for me, some of these just felt random and absurd for absurd sake. The humour also wasn't my cup of tea ;) I do think everyone should give this book a try, nonetheless. It's a short book that many readers will definitely appreciate.
The premise of the story is curious in itself, and becomes curiouser with each adaptation (some times not for the best reasons). From a children's fairytale to an exploration of the human psyche and psychadelic worlds, the book can be quite intriguing and spark the imagination.
I suppose with all the adaptations I had seen, and the idea that I had of it in my mind, I was fated to disappointment when I actually read the book. It is very non-sensical and quite chaotic in its plot and writing. In that sense it reads very much like a fever dream. And while that may be its ultimate point, it doesn't make for a very enjoyable read.
The parts that I enjoyed the most are those quoted everywhere, with the Mad Hatter and the Caterpillar. And it is quite enough for me to revisit those quotes, rather than reread this book.
I have read that further literary analysis can heighten the enjoyment of this book. I can see how Carroll included a lot of gems on argumentation and philosophy, for example.
However, for me, some of these just felt random and absurd for absurd sake. The humour also wasn't my cup of tea ;) I do think everyone should give this book a try, nonetheless. It's a short book that many readers will definitely appreciate.
little_moonflower's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
lovemyshelf's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
freepineapple's review against another edition
5.0
It's difficult to review a book in a truly objective fashion, so I don't. I just give my opinion on whether or not I personally enjoyed the book. But this one is a rare exception.
Not only do I personally love this book, but I also have a deep admiration for the influence it has had on literature in the century and a half since it was published.
I love abstract, surreal, absurd fiction. I can't help it. It just tickles my brain in the right way.
Movies like Spirited Away, or games like Ib are the evolution of core features that are masterfully exemplified in this century-old book.
If you're doing a tour of classic books, I highly encourage you to give this one a chance. You might hate it, and I wouldn't blame you for it. It hardly has any plot or characters at all. It doesn't move in any particular direction. Many people just aren't interested in a book like that, and it's ok.
But you can never know if you don't' give it a try, so do so. It's not a long book and, if anything, it will help you understand the modern pieces of art that have been, directly or indirectly, influenced by it, a little bit better.
Not only do I personally love this book, but I also have a deep admiration for the influence it has had on literature in the century and a half since it was published.
I love abstract, surreal, absurd fiction. I can't help it. It just tickles my brain in the right way.
Movies like Spirited Away, or games like Ib are the evolution of core features that are masterfully exemplified in this century-old book.
If you're doing a tour of classic books, I highly encourage you to give this one a chance. You might hate it, and I wouldn't blame you for it. It hardly has any plot or characters at all. It doesn't move in any particular direction. Many people just aren't interested in a book like that, and it's ok.
But you can never know if you don't' give it a try, so do so. It's not a long book and, if anything, it will help you understand the modern pieces of art that have been, directly or indirectly, influenced by it, a little bit better.
isabellarobinson7's review against another edition
Rating: ?? stars
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll was probably my first DNF ever. (Well... there was maybe one before that, but we don’t talk about that book.) I first got it as an e-book on my shoddy e-reader called a "NextBook", a device I cannot even find a description of now online, because it was that bad and probably didn’t even go past its first run. I hadn’t even paid the subscription, so I was relying solely on free books to read. Regardless, I would take this e-reader to school and read during silent reading time, but this was a time when "silent" reading was anything but for me (let’s just say this was before something significant was discovered about my life). Silent reading was more about being distracted than the actual reading. So anyway, I had Alice's Adventures in Wonderland on this terrible e-reader during the silent meant-to-be-reading time and understandably I did not get very far. The problem was that when I got home (where I actually could read) I would just read my physical book, so I never got very far with Lewis Carroll's famous book.
Fast forward to November of 2022, where my mum bought me this tiny little bind-up of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland as well as its sequel Through the Looking-Glass (the edition this review is listed under) called The Little Folks Edition (my brother thought this was just perfect as I am... let’s just say I'm under average height). This was the first time since that initial DNF back in school that I properly attempted Alice's Adventures in Wonderland again, be that as an abridged version, but I digress.
As for an actual review of this book... I don't know if I have one to give you. Keep in mind that I started this book exactly 100 days ago (I actually counted) so any "instant" or "raw" reactions I had to the story are long gone by now. Well, for one, reading the source material helped me keep the Red Queen and Queen of Hearts more or less separate in my mind (I frequently get them mixed up), so I guess that's something.
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll was probably my first DNF ever. (Well... there was maybe one before that, but we don’t talk about that book.) I first got it as an e-book on my shoddy e-reader called a "NextBook", a device I cannot even find a description of now online, because it was that bad and probably didn’t even go past its first run. I hadn’t even paid the subscription, so I was relying solely on free books to read. Regardless, I would take this e-reader to school and read during silent reading time, but this was a time when "silent" reading was anything but for me (let’s just say this was before something significant was discovered about my life). Silent reading was more about being distracted than the actual reading. So anyway, I had Alice's Adventures in Wonderland on this terrible e-reader during the silent meant-to-be-reading time and understandably I did not get very far. The problem was that when I got home (where I actually could read) I would just read my physical book, so I never got very far with Lewis Carroll's famous book.
Fast forward to November of 2022, where my mum bought me this tiny little bind-up of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland as well as its sequel Through the Looking-Glass (the edition this review is listed under) called The Little Folks Edition (my brother thought this was just perfect as I am... let’s just say I'm under average height). This was the first time since that initial DNF back in school that I properly attempted Alice's Adventures in Wonderland again, be that as an abridged version, but I digress.
As for an actual review of this book... I don't know if I have one to give you. Keep in mind that I started this book exactly 100 days ago (I actually counted) so any "instant" or "raw" reactions I had to the story are long gone by now. Well, for one, reading the source material helped me keep the Red Queen and Queen of Hearts more or less separate in my mind (I frequently get them mixed up), so I guess that's something.