Alice In Wonderland

"It's no use going back to yesterday, because I was a different person then."

3rd read: This quote truly hit home for me as I thought about the world we're currently living in. Not only have we as individuals changed, but the world around us has also undergone significant transformations in just the past few days and weeks. I find it quite interesting that these kinds of reflections come to me while reading Alice in Wonderland during a pandemic. It just goes to show how relevant and thought-provoking this classic can be.

That being said, this particular reading experience (which was an audible version narrated by Scarlett Johansson, who did an outstanding job) really emphasized the timeless nature of Lewis Carroll's celebrated adventure. It made me realize once again how many wonderful quotes are packed within the pages of this book. It was such a delight to go back down the rabbit hole and explore this magical world all over again.

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I had read Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland a few years ago, but for some reason, I felt the urge to pick it up again recently, and I'm so glad I did. This time around, I found myself really enjoying Alice's observations and the humorous elements of the story even more. There's something truly special and a bit unexpected about rereading a book that we think we know so well, like Peter Pan or The Wizard of Oz. Even though we may have been exposed to the stories through various means over the years, actually reading the original text can offer new insights and a fresh perspective.

I'm well aware that my ratings of books are always subjective and influenced by the circumstances and my mood at the time of reading. But in this case, it's clear that I was more than ready to have a great time down the rabbit hole. So, I'm changing my rating from 3 stars to 4 stars.

(Book 868 from 1001 books) - Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland, Lewis Carroll (Charles Lutwidge Dodgson)

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, written by British author Charles Lutwidge Dodgson under the pseudonym Lewis Carroll in 1865, is a captivating novel. It tells the story of a girl named Alice who falls through a rabbit hole into a fantastical world filled with strange, anthropomorphic creatures. The tale's use of logic in a playful way has made it popular with both adults and children alike. It is regarded as one of the finest examples of the literary nonsense genre. Its narrative, structure, characters, and imagery have had a profound influence on both popular culture and literature, particularly in the fantasy genre.

The first reading date was in 1974 AD. The Persian translation has several versions, with different translators and publishers. The summary of the story is as follows: Alice, the daughter of a globe-trotter named Charles Kingsley, dreams of Wonderland at the age of seven and enters it. Thirteen years later, she is forced to attend a party to marry Lord Henry. While following a rabbit, she falls into a deep hole and enters Wonderland for the second time. There, she discovers that the Red Queen has revolted against her sister, the White Queen, and the situation in Wonderland is in chaos. She must obtain the shining sword in the Red Queen's castle and use it to separate the heads of the Red Queen's dragons from their bodies. Along the way, Alice meets many strange creatures, including a wise caterpillar who is always smoking a hookah, a disappearing cat, a mouse, and a character named the Mad Hatter. With their help, she retrieves the sword and goes to the White Queen's castle. The final day arrives, and the two queens come to the battlefield with their armies. Alice fights against the Red Queen's dragons and cuts off their heads with her sword. The Red Queen is defeated and exiled with her followers. In the end, Alice, who has completed her task in Wonderland, drinks the blood of the dragons and returns to the real world. She then refuses to marry Henry and, along with her father's friend, goes on her father's dream journey around the world.

The date of dissemination was 16/06/1399 Hijri Shamsi and 22/05/1400 Hijri Shamsi. A. Sharbiani

I believe anyone who has read Alice's Adventures in Wonderland cannot deny its relentless absurdity.

From the very beginning, we are plunged into a world where nothing makes sense. The characters are strange and unpredictable, the narrative twists and turns in the most unexpected ways, and the descriptions and dialogue are often completely nonsensical.

Take, for example, the scene where the mice and ducks argue over meaningless pronouns. Or the appearance of the enigmatic Caterpillar, smoking a hookah and asking 'Who are you?' The perpetually weeping Mock Turtle is another strange and wonderful addition to this madcap world. And then there are the endless mad tea parties and pre-trial trials. What are these?!

Alice herself is not immune to this absurdity. She is the one who ponders curtsies while plummeting down a rabbit hole and composes snail-paced poems before others even finish their stories. Absurdity seems to be in her very nature.

Despite this apparent randomness, Carroll’s work is not entirely without grounding. The tea parties and croquet matches were common social activities in Victorian England, and the Queen of Hearts, always demanding executions, was a clear satire of the era. It's even rumored that Queen Victoria herself was a fan of this book.

The nonsense verses about the 3 sisters eating sweets were inspired by the real-life Liddell sisters, especially the youngest Alice for whom the book was written. This connection to reality gives the story a sense of believability and makes it all the more enduring.

Unfortunately, the absurdist literature of the 20th century lacks this grounding. Modern absurdist authors often present their work with a serious, often humorless tone, forcing readers to search deep within the text for meaning. It's as if they expect us to be impressed by our ability to decipher their work, much like the subjects in The Emperor’s New Clothes. These authors seem more interested in exploring existential themes than in telling a good story. Their plays are typically filled with themes of deceit, despair, alienation, and exile.

Carroll, on the other hand, simply wanted to tell a fun story. His Wonderland is a vibrant and colorful place, filled with strange and wonderful creatures. The illogical dialogue and events might seem \"curiouser and curiouser,\" but they are also enchanting. While deeper meanings can be found, Carroll's primary goal was to entertain.

We should also not overlook the literary sophistication of this book. Alice's stream-of-consciousness thoughts and Carroll’s witty asides in parentheses demonstrate a high level of literary skill. The nonsense verses, many of which are parodies of well-known poems, are also quite sophisticated. There are puns, jokes, and unique word choices throughout, adding to the overall charm of the book.

The beauty of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland lies in its balance: the balance between fun and depth, absurdity and reality. When the story threatens to get bogged down in nonsense, Carroll deftly moves the plot forward, keeping us engaged and entertained. Of course, not everyone will appreciate this \"magic of nonsense.\"

Honestly, I wouldn't recommend this book for very young children due to its complex language and bizarre concepts. Even adults may not entirely understand the deeper meanings of the book. However, for those who are willing to suspend their disbelief and enter into the strange and wonderful world of Wonderland, this book is sure to delight and entertain.

4.2 / 5 stars

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland is a truly remarkable story.

\n  \n    “If you knew Time as well as I do,’ said the Hatter, ‘you wouldn’t talk about wasting it. \n  \n

This tale is filled with so many wonderful elements. For me, as a work of fantasy, it is on par with The Chronicles of Narnia, Peter Pan and The Wizard of Oz in terms of its creative imagination.

These stories seem to centre on the idea of escape. The protagonist leaves behind a dull reality and enters a world of thrilling, and sometimes frightening, adventure. This is a common theme, and in this story, it works extremely well. Alice jumps down a rabbit hole and enters a truly crazy world that makes little sense.

“In another moment down went Alice after it, never once considering how in the world she was to get out again.”

Of all the fantasy worlds based on this concept, this is by far the most bizarre I have come across. To put it mildly, the things Alice encounters feel like hallucinations, as if they were created by a mind under the influence of something. Because, as strange as it all is, there is always a hint of the real. And I believe this is because Lewis Carroll draws on real life experiences to bring his world to life.

The Mad Hatter is, of course, the best example. Although he has a relatively small role in the story, and the movie versions have really emphasized his colourful character, he still stands out in the narrative. His character is the most memorable part of the story. He is only referred to as that name once, and he never identifies with it, yet the name is distinctively his.

\n  “How puzzling all these changes are! I'm never sure what I'm going to be, from one minute to another.”\n

He is the embodiment of true madness: dementia. I did some research on him and the origin of his character. In Victorian society, hatters often went mad due to the hat making process. They handled chemicals that caused what we now know as dementia. Prolonged exposure to these substances deteriorated their minds to a great extent. So, in a way, he represents a small piece of history with his eccentricity.

I really enjoyed reading this story. It was actually my first time reading it. I've seen the films, but I never actually picked up the book. It's definitely a charming and crazy piece that can brighten your day with its nonsensical nature.

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Welcome to...ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN SEPTEMBERLAND.

This might just be my best month/title pun since middlemarch march.

We are BACK (albeit a week late) for Project Long Classics. In this project, Elle and I take on a long and intimidating classic in small chunks over the course of an entire month.

However, this book is neither long nor intimidating. Personally, I will be reading this AND the sequel at a chapter-ish a day.

Join our book club to be part of the project!! Follow on Instagram here or join the discussion here.

DAY 1: DOWN THE RABBIT-HOLE
As we begin, I'll include the cheesy declaration of love I wrote when announcing this pick in our book club discord:
This is my favorite book of all time. This teeny tiny children's classic holds a special place in my heart. Whether you're seeking a light fairytale-like read or a thematically rich and thought-provoking one that you can analyze all day long, you can find either experience within these pages.
Filled with whimsy, imagination, and the bittersweet nostalgia of dreams and childhood, I never tire of this book. I discover something new with every read. At one chapter a day, this and its sequel (THROUGH THE LOOKING-GLASS AND WHAT ALICE FOUND THERE), which I consider a continuation of the first rather than a separate book, can be read in 24 days!

Bleh. Gross. Look how sweet and earnest.

DAY 2: THE POOL OF TEARS
It's actually day 8. I'm in a terrible slump - the kind where it literally never crosses your mind to read, and then when it does, you wonder...am I physically capable of doing this? How did I ever manage to make these words enter my head?
If anything can heal me, it's this book.
Update: Not yet, but we did get our first "curiouser and curiouser" moment...slay...

DAY 3: A CAUCUS-RACE AND A LONG TALE
The titular mouse's tale / mouse tail pun here...one of the greatest of all time, I dare say...

DAY 4: THE RABBIT SENDS IN A LITTLE BILL
I don't know how the little "EAT ME" cakes manage to sound so good with virtually no description, but they do. Maybe because these look so goddamn delicious?

Or maybe just because I like cake.

DAY 5: ADVICE FROM A CATERPILLAR
Folks...it's day 12.
I've never been in such a slump before, and at this point, I'm Frightened. My Goodreads challenge is starting to seem like it's staring back at me, like the void or one of those scary crusty small white dogs.
But this book is simply...everything.

DAY 6: PIG AND PEPPER
The baby-turning-into-a-pig thing is objectively terrifying. Especially when Alice is like "this baby is like a star-fish" and looks down and boom.
But! The Cheshire Cat makes an appearance. And "we're all mad here." A huge quote for people with watercolor tattoos and Hot Topic graphic tees.

DAY 7: A MAD TEA-PARTY
ICONS ALERT!!! This is a real heavy hitter. Maybe my favorite chapter.
What can I say? Not all my opinions are unpopular.

DAY 8: THE QUEEN'S CROQUET-GROUND
Monarchs, am I right.

DAY 9: THE MOCK TURTLE'S STORY
Well, it's actually day 14, so I might as well mess around and finish this book already. I wanted to savor it, but my dumb suddenly-illiterate brain refuses to let me!
Also: "Alice did not much like keeping so close to her: first, because the Duchess was very ugly." vibes.

DAY 10: THE LOBSTER QUADRILLE
This one is a lot of fun but impossible to compete with in a universe that contains "The Walrus and the Carpenter."

DAY 11: WHO STOLE THE TARTS?
Let's go to court!!!!!
It's so important to remember that even in a nonsense-world, nothing is more illogical and annoying than outdated monarchical structures and the incompetence of the judicial system.

DAY 12: ALICE'S EVIDENCE
And it was all a dream!!!
Or was it?
Or does it even matter at all?
(No.)
Perfect book.

OVERALL
I have a whole five-star review below, but I'll quickly say that nothing makes me as happy, fulfilled, and whimsical as this book does. And that's my ideal state of being.
My favorite forever!
rating: 5

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original review
THIS IS MY FAVORITE BOOK.
No qualifier. No excuse. No “one of my favorites.” This one is it, y’all.
https://emmareadstoomuch.wordpress.co...
Well, also Through the Looking Glass. But THAT’S PRACTICALLY THE SECOND HALF OF THE SAME BOOK. (And other examples of my inability to make decisions or commit in any way to anything.)
I currently have 18 copies of this book. I've attempted to read it at least annually for the past three years. And by “annually,” I mean I last revisited this book about nine months ago.

But hey, it was a different year then, technically speaking.
How do I even review this? I don't know where to begin. (Just a heads up that my obsessive personality is going to become very clear as this review progresses. I'm not proud. This is who I am, you guys. I was a member of the fandoms of some teen pop sensation or other for nearly ten consecutive years. I'm no longer thirteen, but I still need an outlet. Honestly, I'm quite afraid that if I don't have an obsession, I'll become a drug addict. Lots of pent-up energy.)

Well, I'll say that I always, always, always feel enveloped by this book. I have never picked it up without feeling instantly submersed in Wonderland. And it's really my favorite place to be. It's hard to feel unhappy when you're in the greatest setting ever created.
And oh yeah, there's that. I firmly believe this is the most amazing, beautiful, confusing, and curious setting of all time. It's immersive, strange, unique, fantastic, creative, and I love it so much. I could come up with even more loosely positive adjectives if that overwhelming number didn't suffice.
Wonderland is my Hogwarts. While many readers pray their letters just got lost in the mail, I'm constantly hoping I'll see a white rabbit in a waistcoat and fall down, down, down into what must be the center of the earth.

I love Alice and her curiosity. She may also be my favorite character ever. She's funny, sweet, childish, and such a blast to read about. Her reactions to everything are so, so funny. Her curiosity always outweighs confusion and fear. I'd like to wake up one day and be Alice. I'll likely become one of those creeps who pays millions for plastic surgery in order to “resemble” some celebrity or other.
On an unrelated note, anyone have millions of dollars they're trying to get rid of?
I'm also fiercely protective of this book. I constantly pick up retellings only to be utterly disappointed. (Like Heartless. Get out of here with your shoddy Carroll-stealing.) DO NOT, DO NOT! GET ME STARTED ON THE TIM BURTON FILM ADAPTATION. Horrific. Alice, an adult? Alice, engaged? Alice FIGHTING THE GODDAMN JABBERWOCK?

But I do love the original animated Disney adaptation. There's a certain quality to the book that's captured within that film, which I haven't found recreated in any other retelling, use of the setting, or adaptation.
Oh, and one more thing, while I'm here.
THIS BOOK ISN'T ABOUT DRUGS, YOU SURFACE-LEVEL INTERPRETERS OF SYMBOLISM. It's not that easy, boo.

In the words of BBC News, “[the drug] references may say more about the people making them than the author.”
Lewis Carroll isn't thought to have been a user of drugs, the Caterpillar was smoking tobacco, and the mushroom is no more magic than the various cakes Alice eats.
Honestly, the drug reading is simple and boring. It's such a stretch to attempt to read each character as a different substance. And scrolling through countless quasi-psychedelic GIFs to find the actual ones was irritating, too. Ah, yes, real art: taking images from a 1951 children's film but messing with the colors and movement until it looks like nothing more than a trigger for epilepsy. Enough, Tumblr.

Alice in Wonderland carries as much or as little significance as you want it to. It's everything from a mindless romp in an imaginative land to a depiction of the effects of a ruthlessly authoritarian system of justice.
Just have fun with it.
And please, for the love of God, stop applying your weird psychedelic edits to a Disney movie.
Note on the audiobook: This time around, I listened to the audiobook to switch things up. Scarlett Johansson read it. I loved her funny accents and hated her overly-acted narration. A mixed bag.

Bottom line: This is my favoritest, and I doubt it will be dethroned anytime soon. Come at me, every other book.
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reread updates
When I find myself in times of trouble
Lewis Carroll comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom
"just reread"

If I didn't already know the story and the basic plot points of Alice in Wonderland from movies, books, and other pop culture retellings, I think this book would have been very confusing.

I didn't realize how short the Wonderland part of Alice's story is. So, despite the bizarre writing, it was a pretty quick read. In fact, if you are really into fairy tales, I imagine this could be a one sitting book.

The intro to the book mentioned this being psychedelic fiction. Having grown up frequently seeing art with tie-dyed mushrooms and a hookah smoking caterpillar on top, I was already thinking this book was likely quite a trip.

The surreal storylines, bizarre characters, and the consumption of substances by Alice to alter her reality definitely make this a trippy experience.

This is one case where I think the movies (at least the ones I have seen) have done a pretty good job stream-lining the story to improve the delivery. The essence of each of Alice's adventures is usually captured perfectly with excessively trippy material edited perfectly so as to not lose the viewer.

Not often you can say the movie is better than the book!

In the end, it is another classic that I am very glad to have read. Did it blow me away? Not really. Will I be recommending it to others? Not likely. But, if you have always enjoyed the Alice fairy tale - enough to say that you are a fan - I think you have to check out the source material.

Overall, while the book has its charm with its unique and trippy elements, it may not be as accessible or engaging as the movie adaptations for some readers. However, for those who are truly interested in the original story and the creative mind behind it, it is definitely worth a read.

Apesar deste livro ter sido escrito para uma criança, eu não o entendi quando o li na idade para o qual ele era recomendado.

The book invites us, among other aspects, to reflect on the way we question conventions.

When the Hatter says to Alice: "If you knew Time as well as I do, you wouldn't talk about wasting it. Time is a person."

Probably, only Proust would immediately understand this concept.

This book,看似简单地为儿童而写，实则蕴含着深刻的哲理。当我在推荐的年龄阅读它时，却未能理解其中的深意。书中不仅引导我们思考常规的问题，还通过帽匠对爱丽丝所说的话，传达了一种独特的时间观念。帽匠认为时间不是可以随意浪费的东西，而是一个有生命的个体。这种观念可能对于大多数人来说比较难以理解，但对于像普鲁斯特这样的作家来说，或许能够立刻领悟其中的真谛。这本书以其独特的方式，启发着读者去思考那些我们习以为常的事物，从而拓展我们的思维和认知。

Rating: 4.5

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In conclusion, a rating of 4.5 is a great achievement, but it should not be the end goal. There is always room for improvement, and by continuously working towards excellence, the provider can ensure their long-term success and satisfaction of their customers or stakeholders.