Alice in Wonderland

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This is an adaptation. For the editions of the original book, see here.

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (commonly shortened to Alice in Wonderland) is an 1865 novel written by English mathematician Charles Lutwidge Dodgson under the pseudonym Lewis Carroll. It tells of a girl named Alice falling through a rabbit hole into a fantasy world populated by peculiar, anthropomorphic creatures. The tale plays with logic, giving the story lasting popularity with adults as well as with children. It is considered to be one of the best examples of the literary nonsense genre. Its narrative course and structure, characters and imagery have been enormously influential in both popular culture and literature, especially in the fantasy genre.

96 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1,1865

This edition

Format
96 pages, Hardcover
Published
September 7, 2004 by Gramercy
ISBN
9780517223628
ASIN
0517223627
Language
English
Characters More characters
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    The Hatter (lewis Carroll)

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About the author

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Community Reviews

Rating(4.1 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
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100 reviews All reviews
July 15,2025
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I have not read Alice in Wonderland as a child. Even now, in my twenties, I am quite fond of children's stories. It's not just because I find them extremely entertaining, but also because I discover that not all of them are as childish as they seem. I sense a sort of seriousness and greatness in children's stories that makes me eager to explore this genre further. Of course, this may not be true for all children's literature, but I firmly believe it is the case with Carroll's Alice!

I thoroughly relished the book and found that many profound questions could emerge from certain scenes, conversations, or even behaviors. I'm unsure if the author had any intention of writing such a splendid piece, not just from a child's perspective, for sure. But even if he didn't, it doesn't concern me. I believe the author has his own thoughts about the book, but readers may have a great deal more to say about it. In any event, whether it was Carroll's intention to make this book so profound or not, I won't bother to care. Instead, I will focus better on expressing my fondness.

It's a bit challenging for me to view the piece from a child's perspective since I'm no longer a child. However, I can envision the excitement one would feel when meeting Alice and experiencing her adventures in Wonderland, although Alice can be quite annoying at times. With a bit more life experience and knowledge than a child might possess, I can't help but notice the political ideas that surface here and there, the social issues, the peculiarity of the characters, the beauty of the style, and the cleverness of the scenes. In the end, I found myself comparing the characters with real-life images and scenes. Even though I also tried to look at the piece as an independent work of art, I would often return to thinking about how "this thing" might also be quite relevant in our own reality. I might have exaggerated in finding every scene to be a metaphor for real life experiences, so I won't discuss it further.

Even if I detach myself from all these aspects I've mentioned above, I still find myself in a great position: unconditionally admiring and liking the characters, the plot, and the world Carroll strived to create. It's a wonderful world that made me wonder, in the end, whether Carroll had any intention of making his readers think about consciousness and unconsciousness, about dreams and reality, about how we can't always know for sure who we are or what we have become. It might not be the case that he did, and that shouldn't bother us at all. However, it made me think about how profound Alice was when she said she didn't know who she was anymore when talking to the Caterpillar, and that she had changed several times since morning. I don't expect a child to understand this, but it would surely catch one's attention. I find it to be an extraordinary read, even for adults, and not just for children. It's true that children might only enjoy reading it, while an adult might think about several other implications that might not even have been hinted at by the author himself when he wrote the piece. But whatever the case may be, I should say that Alice in Wonderland is indeed a great read, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to everyone.

Oh, and I didn't mention how mad and weird everything seemed at any given point. But it seems rather dull to state this since anyone who has read the piece knows exactly these sensations and has experienced them throughout the entire reading. Weirdness is not only served in tea cups in Wonderland but also fills the air. It seems that being mad is a necessary condition for everyone who lives in Wonderland. That is, you can't be a part of it unless there's at least a touch of madness around you. And, well, one could say that even Alice, during her visit to Wonderland, had a glimpse of such madness. Well, there's no need to bother ourselves with such things, although some of us might surely see some similarities between society and Wonderland. But, oh dear, just metaphorically. I can't say there's so much madness in the world, though I also can't say we're devoid of irrationality either. Irony, such a sweet thing.

Anyway, Alice in Wonderland is a great read! I think one can read it at any age. I just found myself wondering at some point if this is really a children's story.
July 15,2025
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Alice in Wonderland has been on my reading list for a considerable period of time.

I found the first half of the book quite engaging, but I had to struggle to get through the second half.

It is indeed a fascinating story, and the author's imagination is truly extraordinary. However, the writing style didn't grip me as much as I had hoped.

I understand that it is a classic, and many people adore this book. While I did like it, I just couldn't develop a profound love for it.

Nevertheless, I did have a soft spot for the Cheshire cat, which was definitely my favorite, closely followed by the Mad Hatter.

Once again, the author's imagination seems to have no limits, and it has inspired countless interpretations and other wonderful worlds.

Overall, it wasn't as impressive as I initially thought it would be, but it still holds a certain charm.

I would rate it 3 stars.
July 15,2025
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Nothing feels quite as wonderful as rereading your favorite book.

When you pick up that familiar volume, it's like reuniting with an old friend. The pages seem to welcome you back, filled with stories and characters that have become a part of your life.

Rereading allows you to discover new details and nuances that you might have missed the first time around. It's a chance to immerse yourself in a world that you love, to escape from the stresses of daily life and lose yourself in the pages.

Whether it's a classic novel, a thrilling mystery, or a heartwarming romance, your favorite book has the power to transport you to another place and time. It can make you laugh, cry, and feel a whole range of emotions.

So the next time you're looking for a way to relax and unwind, consider reaching for that beloved book on your shelf. You might be surprised at how much joy and comfort it can bring.
July 15,2025
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What is down the rabbit hole?


The book narrates the tale of a young girl named Alice on a sweltering summer day. Alice is overcome with boredom until a white talking rabbit scurries past her, hurriedly checking a pocket watch. Fueled by curiosity, Alice chases after the rabbit and tumbles down the rabbit hole, and that's when the excitement commences.


Alice then embarks on an exploration of the magnificent world of Wonderland, having her own unique adventures. However, the things in Wonderland are extremely absurd and unusual, much like in dreams. There is no coherent plot structure in the story; it consists of a series of unconnected and random events with strange characters.


Nevertheless, I liked how the reader gets to encounter numerous “who are you?” moments through Alice. “Who ARE You?” This was not an encouraging opening for a conversation. Alice replied, rather shyly, “I--I hardly know, sir, just at present-- at least I know who I WAS when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then.” “I wonder if I've been changed in the night. Let me think. Was I the same when I got up this morning? I almost think I can remember feeling a little different. But if I'm not the same, the next question is 'Who in the world am I?' Ah, that's the great puzzle!” “It’s no use going back to yesterday, because I was a different person then.” It's as if it's stating that your experiences can transform you, mold the person you become, and shape your values and beliefs.


I truly regret not having the opportunity to read this as a child. I would have loved to witness how my understanding and perception of the story have evolved. But as they say, better late than never.

July 15,2025
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What a classic it is!

This is the very first time that I have ever read Alice in Wonderland.

Although it is traditionally targeted at children, I firmly believe that it is not solely intended for them.

As a young adult, I find the language to be rather challenging yet captivating.

The vivid descriptions and the奇幻的情节 transport the reader into a world of imagination.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is seeking something light-hearted to read, especially those who are interested in a fantasy world.

It can serve as a wonderful mode of escapism for a while, allowing the reader to forget about the real world and immerse themselves in the adventures of Alice.

Overall, Alice in Wonderland is a timeless classic that can be enjoyed by readers of all ages.
July 15,2025
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It has been an extremely wonderful reread. Almost three years have passed since I first read this story, and I have no regrets about picking it up again. <3


This time around, as I delved back into the pages, I was once again captivated by the charm and magic that the story holds. The characters seemed to come alive even more vividly in my mind, and I found myself completely immersed in their world.


I can't wait to share my thoughts and insights about this book in an upcoming video on my channel. I'm sure it will be a great opportunity to discuss and explore the various aspects of this amazing story with my viewers. Stay tuned!

July 15,2025
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That's right, this book is written for children.

Probably because the minds of children aren't confined in some silly boxes like those of adults. They can easily accept the fact that Alice shrinks so much that she can swim in a lake formed by her own tears and accompany Alice in her wonderland.

For me, however, setting my mind free in this senseless and boundless world of Alice was a kind of gift.

Our tired adult minds can follow Alice's footsteps without having to ask why, what for, or what it all means.

This is Alice's wonderland, and she "likes" to roam around in it.

There is no reason or motivation. You don't have to analyze it or understand the meanings behind it. Just enjoy using your imagination.

Throughout the whole process, I was constantly thinking that Carroll might have transformed his drug experiences into a classic work. When it came to the part where a caterpillar is "smoking a hookah" on a "mushroom", it was almost impossible for me to deny it.

I really liked this book. It was because of all its strangeness, because of the excellent audio version, and because of Alice, who can get along with everything, even if her neck stretches all the way to the sky.

Link: http://www.librophile.com/#!/summary/...
July 15,2025
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I had a strong desire to further accelerate my reading pace, and fortunately, I discovered an online course. How awesome is that! Moreover, "Alice in Wonderland" was the recommended reading material. That's an even bigger yay, isn't it? I have watched the cartoon version and really liked it. I was quite certain that I would love the book upon which the cartoon was based.

However, this has to be the strangest book that has ever been penned. (And this comes from someone who regularly peruses "A Clockwork Orange" because I find its fucked-up nature fascinating. I admit I'm a bit weird, but that's beside the point.)

In my view, the entire book is supposed to be a metaphor for growing up, learning extraordinary things, and formulating one's own opinions or finding oneself. (Alice utters statements like "I'm not the same girl I was this morning," which lead me to draw this conclusion.) But it's just so exasperating. Because indeed, she embarks on this adventure and witnesses and learns various things. But what exactly are those things?

IT'S ALL JUST GIBBERISH. At least it served as a reminder of why I tend to stay away from classics. Because most of them are insanely crazy.

It would have bothered me if I hadn't said anything. I'm glad I was able to get that off my chest. (And yes, my obsession with "Sense8" persists.)
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