Having just completed reading Alice in Wonderland, the very first thought that pops into my mind is that I truly wish I had delved into this enchanting tale many years ago. I have been acquainted with the story of Alice for a long time, courtesy of Disney and the Mad Hatter's appearance on Batman. However, for some inexplicable reason, I never got around to reading this classic as a child. While I had a hunch that I would enjoy it, I had no idea just how much of a pure delight this book would turn out to be.

Carroll, being a logician, unsurprisingly employs his expertise in that domain to concoct numerous uproarious logical fallacies. But what intrigued me the most was the prose. I could expound at length on the pristine, beautiful concision of Carroll's writing and the sheer brilliance of his word games and puns, which clearly had an impact on Vladimir Nabokov (who even composed a Russian translation of Alice). The manner in which Carroll's narrative voice approaches the absurd events bears a resemblance to Kafka's Metamorphosis. Why some would dismiss the former's unique literary genius while lauding the latter's can perhaps be attributed to the snobbery of those who would reject a masterpiece simply because it is labeled as a "children's book."

These aspects piqued the interest of the adult reader within me, yet Alice is truly a book for children of all ages. Thanks to the animated movie, I was familiar with the characters, and it felt as if I was reuniting with old friends. I particularly experienced this during the Mad Tea Party, which I firmly believe must rank among the most brilliant comic scenes in English literature. However, Alice demonstrates that books for children need not be dumbed down or overly sentimentalized. There are some dark undertones beneath the excellent humor (the Queen's obsession with beheading being just the most famous example). And the beautiful concluding paragraph is a startling, Shakespearean meditation on childhood, age, and eventual womanhood. I must admit that this was a wonderful surprise. And then, of course, there is the drug use of the caterpillar and Carroll's suggested pedophiliac obsession with young girls. But I believe that those who approach Alice as psychedelic literature or a creepy Lolita story are missing the point. Nevertheless, these questions do indeed add depth to the reading experience.

Alice in Wonderland is truly a rare gem of a book: one that has the power to both entertain and enlighten both the child and the adult. Carroll's glittering novel has not lost even a scintilla of its luster over time, something that cannot be said of the works of many of his contemporaries. Alice's adventures will undoubtedly continue to fascinate us for countless years to come. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go and listen to White Rabbit.

Curiouser and curiouser...

Is there truly anything more enchanting and wonderful than a nonsensical world of childlike fancy?

In this realm, the rules of logic are suspended, and imagination runs wild.

Colors blend in the most unexpected ways, and objects take on lives of their own.

Creatures with multiple heads and wings that sparkle like stars roam freely.

It is a place where dreams and reality merge, and the impossible becomes possible.

Children are the masters of this world, their minds unburdened by the constraints of adulthood.

They can create entire universes with just a few simple toys or a story told before bedtime.

Their curiosity leads them on adventures that are both thrilling and magical.

In a world that often seems so serious and dull, the nonsensical world of childlike fancy offers a much-needed escape.

It reminds us of the joy and wonder that exists within each of us, waiting to be discovered.

So, let us embrace our inner child and explore this curious and wonderful world once again.

Unpopular Opinion

This particular piece took me an incredibly long time to make my way through. To be completely honest, there were times when I found it rather tedious. I'm sorry if that's not the popular view, but that's just how I felt. I guess I simply don't have the same affinity for the nonsensical fun that this seems to hold for everyone else.

I will admit that I did enjoy the pictures. They added a certain charm to the overall experience. And I really liked this edition in general. I found it enjoyable well enough. However, as I previously stated, I just don't love it to the same extent that a lot of other people do. It's not that I didn't like it at all, but it just didn't quite capture my heart in the way it seems to have captured the hearts of so many others.

Maybe I'm missing something. Maybe there's a deeper meaning or a hidden layer of enjoyment that I'm not quite seeing. But for now, this is my honest opinion.

Today, while reading a friend's review on Alice's Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass, I was reminded of an edition of Alice in Wonderland illustrated by Lisbeth Zwerger that I had read a long time ago. I searched for it in the garden shed, eager to have another look at Zwerger's marvellous illustrations. However, to my disappointment, it has disappeared. I must have lent out my copy to a friend.

The story of Alice in Wonderland is truly enchanting. On a sleepy warm summer day, Alice, sitting beside her reading sister by the water, is unbearably bored. A neatly dressed white Rabbit that急匆匆 scurries past piques her curiosity. She chases after it and suddenly tumbles through a seemingly endless rabbit hole into Wonderland, a magical world populated by talking animals. Besides having absurd conversations with these strange creatures, she suddenly finds herself with a baby in her hands that turns out to be a pig!

Moreover, Alice keeps shrinking and growing at a breakneck pace whenever she nibbles on cakes or mushrooms! Carroll wrote this fantastical and fascinating fairy tale for the ten-year-old daughter of a friend. I read a very beautiful edition of this playful, somewhat creepy and surreal story, beautifully illustrated by Lisbeth Zwerger. I would love to reread it when the friend I lent it to remembers to return it. In the meantime, there is always the videoclip of Tom Petty that was inspired by the story. Or maybe I could read it in English now that I'm grown up. But would I then shrink back?

  



“Well, I should like to be a little larger, sir,
if you wouldn’t mind,” said Alice : “ three inches
is such a wretched height to be.”
“It is a very good height indeed!” said the
Caterpillar angrily, rearing itself upright as it
spoke (it was exactly three inches high).



  




  ’Ach, meneer, ik hoop dat u het niet erg vindt, maar ik zou graag iets groter zijn,' zei Alice. 'Tien centimeter is zo'n lengte van niks.' 'Het is juist een uitstekende lengte!' zei de Rups boos, terwijl hij zich onder het spreken oprichtte (hij was precies tien centimeter lang).




  




  

*Reread July 2017*
I decided to reread this book during the booktube-a-thon 2017. I was falling behind in my reading goals, and I knew that picking up this particular book would be a great way to catch up. And as expected, I loved it (again). The story is so engaging and the characters are so well-developed that it's impossible not to get lost in the pages.

*Reread January 2016*
This time, I read the book for school. I had the opportunity to read the Puffin In Bloom edition, which came with beautiful new illustrations. The illustrations added a whole new dimension to the story, making it even more vivid and enchanting. I found myself spending extra time poring over each picture, marveling at the details and how they enhanced the text. It was a wonderful reading experience, and I'm so glad I had the chance to read this edition.

Alice In Wonderland is an incredibly rich and enchanting story.

It is a tale that holds new surprises and discoveries with each reading.

Alice, the protagonist, is a remarkable character. She has the courage to stand up for herself in the strange and illogical world of Wonderland.

As she encounters the various weird and wonderful creatures, such as the White Rabbit, the Duchess and Cheshire Cat, the Caterpillar, the March Hare, Mad Hatter and Doormouse, the Gryphon and Mock Turtle, and the Queen and her court, there is always a new story, song, or game to be found.

These creatures are often argumentative and not very helpful in alleviating Alice's confusion.

We come to understand that the real Wonderland exists within the mind of a child, in those happy, carefree, long summer days of innocence when Alice dreamed her dream.

It is a place where imagination runs wild and anything is possible.

The story of Alice In Wonderland continues to captivate readers of all ages, transporting them to a magical world full of wonder and mystery.

**"Alice in Wonderland: A Peculiar Adventure"**

Little Alice, a bored girl lying in the prairie, suddenly notices a curious White Rabbit fretting about being late for his appointment. Intrigued, she follows it and stumbles upon a rabbit hole. As she enters, she plummets in freefall and lands in a whole new world - Wonderland. Here, nothing makes sense, and crazy things happen at every turn.

This is the story of her adventures in this topsy-turvy place, filled with insane adventures, rational beheadings, and lovely tea parties. However, ironically, this very strange book, full of crazy surprises (mostly pleasant), is not my cup of tea. Literary nonsense just isn't my thing. This was my first encounter with the genre, and sadly, it's not an experience I hold dear. I now realize I need sense in my readings.
Nevertheless, despite not enjoying it that much, "Alice in Wonderland" is a timeless classic that I'm glad to have finally crossed off my list. It has amassed immense popularity, a huge fan base, and an infinity of adaptations for good reasons. It's a classic suitable for all audiences, children and adults alike, if you can withstand the non-stop irrationality. I couldn't, but don't be afraid to give it a try.
Alice is a unique character, as are all the others she meets on her journey - the unpunctual White Rabbit, the groovy Caterpillar, the beautiful Duchess, the grinning Cheshire Cat, the rational Mad Hatter, the undisturbed March Hare, and the adorable Queen of Hearts, among others. Hearing the audiobook through the flawless voice of Scarlett Johansson was a big plus. Maybe accompanying it with a picture book could have worked wonders - a missed chance.
The 2010 adaptation is a colorful and entertaining Disney film, but it's hardly faithful to the book. Most of the characters from the original are there (the March Hare being my favorite), and there's some basic storyline, but sadly, everything else is made up. It's still decent enough to watch, with Depp and Bonham Carter brilliant as ever. Overall, it's memorable to some extent, but don't expect much fidelity.
Alice in Wonderland (1951) is still missing from my viewing list.

It's in the public domain, and you can find it [HERE](https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/11).

★★☆☆☆ [1-2. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland / Through the Looking-Glass](https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6429711127)
★★★☆☆ [0. Alice's Adventures Under Ground.](https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2777613528)
★★★☆☆ [1. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.](https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1738191295) [2.5]
★★☆☆☆ [2. Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There.](https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1758436556) [1.5]

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**"¡No estoy loco, vos estás loco!"**

La pequeña Alice, una joven aburrida tumbada en la pradera, de repente nota un curioso Conejo Blanco que se queja de llegar tarde a su cita. Siguiéndolo, se encuentra con una madriguera y, al entrar, cae en caída libre hasta llegar a un mundo completamente nuevo - el País de las Maravillas. Aquí, nada tiene sentido y todo lo loco va a pasar.
Esta es la historia de sus aventuras en este extraño lugar, lleno de aventuras insanas, decapitaciones racionales y adorables reuniones de té. Sin embargo, irónicamente, este libro muy, MUY extraño, lleno de sorpresas alocadas (la mayoría agradables), no fue mi taza de té. La Literatura Sinsentido no es en absoluto lo mío. Este fue mi primer encuentro con el género y, lamentablemente, no una experiencia que atesore. Me doy cuenta ahora que necesito sentido en mis lecturas.
Aun así, aunque no lo disfruté mucho, "Alice en el País de las Maravillas" es un clásico atemporal que me alegra finalmente poder tachar de mi lista. Ha amasado inmensa popularidad, una gran base de culto y una infinidad de adaptaciones por justas razones. Es un clásico apto para cualquier audiencia, tanto niños como adultos, siempre y cuando puedan soportar la irracionalidad sin fin. Yo no pude, pero no teman darle un intento.
Alicia es un personaje único, al igual que cualquiera de los que conocemos durante su viaje - el impuntual Conejo Blanco, la copada Oruga, la hermosa Duquesa, el Sonriente Gato de Cheshire, el racional Sombrerero, la imperturbable Liebre de Marzo y la adorable Reina de Corazones, entre otros. Escuchar el audiolibro a través de la impecable voz de Scarlett Johansson fue un gran deleite. Tal vez acompañarlo con un libro de dibujos podría haber hecho maravillas - una oportunidad perdida.
La película de 2010 es una adaptación entretenida y colorida, como cualquier cosa Disney, pero muy lejos de ser fiel al libro. La mayoría de los personajes de #1 y #2 están ahí (la Liebre de Marzo siendo mi favorita), y hay algo básico de la trama del libro, pero, lamentablemente, todo lo demás es inventado. Aun así, es suficientemente decente de ver, supongo. Depp y Bonham Carter son magníficos como siempre. En general, es memorable hasta cierto punto, pero no esperen demasiada fidelidad.
Queda pendiente, Alice en Wonderland (1951).

Es dominio público, lo pueden encontrar [ACA](https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/11).

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  NOTA PERSONAL
:
[1865] [320p] [Clásicos] [2.5] [Recomendable Condicional]

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Este libro representa de la mejor forma lo que busca todo lector al adentrarse en una historia: escapar de la realidad.

And wow, with the universe that Lewis Carroll imagined. I have not the slightest idea of how he came up with so many fantastic aspects, but he did it disturbingly well. Because once you fall along with Alicia through the rabbit hole, you fully submerge into that world.

The story was easy and quick for me to read, although there were parts that I really didn't understand at all what was happening. Which gives way to making it an even more interesting novel when you read analyses about it.

It made me laugh out loud because of the absurd way each character was introduced, and at the same time it stressed me out when Alicia was involved in a difficult situation, which was all the time hahaha.

Still, I really enjoyed the story. An indispensable classic ❤️.

In spite of being written for children – originally, a young girl named Alice – Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland had a profound influence on the entire grownup literature.

When Alice finds herself in the Wonderland, she encounters a plethora of incredibly curious creatures.

As described in the text, "They were indeed a queer-looking party that assembled on the bank – the birds with draggled feathers, the animals with their fur clinging close to them, and all dripping wet, cross, and uncomfortable."

Volatility is the first rule of the Wonderland. Everything is prone to change unexpectedly and unpredictably.

The conversation between the Caterpillar and Alice further emphasizes this chaos. The Caterpillar, taking the hookah out of its mouth, addresses Alice in a languid, sleepy voice, asking "Who are you?" Alice's rather shy reply, "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," shows the confusion and fluidity of identity in this strange world.

And with every new step in the Wonderland, everything grows yet madder. The Cat's words to Alice, "In that direction lives a Hatter: and in that direction lives a March Hare. Visit either you like: they’re both mad," and "Oh, you can’t help that, we’re all mad here. I’m mad. You’re mad," highlight the absurdity and insanity that pervades the Wonderland.

It is most crucial that one must learn to distinguish between the real and the false in this topsy-turvy world.

Alicia en el País de las Maravillas es una obra que me ha dejado una impresión profunda. A la hora de dar mi opinión, estaba un poco indeciso por donde empezar. Prácticamente se ha dicho todo sobre esta historia, pero aún así, siento que hay mucho más por descubrir. Además, creo que es un libro que tiene muchas capas escondidas, lo que hace que cada lector lo entienda de una manera diferente. Quizás incluso un mismo lector lo vea de forma distinta si lo releye.

La historia de Alicia es conocida por todos. La pequeña Alicia se introduce sin dudar en una madrigera persiguiendo a un curioso conejo vestido con chaleco que mira nervioso un reloj de bolsillo. Así, cae en un extraño mundo: el país de las maravillas. Allí conoce a personajes extraños y vive una serie de situaciones disparatadas. Pero, ¿realmente conocemos esta historia?

En mi caso, tenía presentes las adaptaciones que había visto y los cuentitos recortados que había leído de pequeño. Aunque me habían gustado, ninguno me había atrapado tanto como la historia original. Muchos personajes entrañables y situaciones extravagantes se han perdido en las adaptaciones. Por ejemplo, la duquesa era un personaje totalmente desconocido para mí.

Para mí, el principal tema de Alicia es la búsqueda del propio ser. Quién eres tú, qué quieres ser, hacia dónde te quieres dirigir. Es importante ser consciente de tu camino y no abandonarlo. Los personajes de Alicia sufren constantemente situaciones surrealistas, pero mantienen sus manías. Los diálogos entre ellos a veces parecen no tener continuidad, pero creo que es un reflejo de la búsqueda interior de cada uno. Además, el constante cambio en el tamaño de Alicia subraya el deseo de ser uno mismo.

He disfrutado mucho leyendo Alicia en el País de las Maravillas. He amado a los personajes y a la historia. Siento que no estaba leyendo algo que ya conocía, sino que descubría nuevas cosas en cada página. Cada diálogo tiene una metáfora encubierta, una sorpresa. Esta sensación me ha gustado mucho.

En definitiva, esta es mi humilde opinión sobre un clásico infantil maravilloso. Me ha gustado más de lo que pensé y sé que lo releeré muchas veces en el futuro. Esta vez, la única pega es mía, por no haber leído antes esta gran obra.

\\"Good gracious!\\" exclaimed Alice in astonishment. \\"I do believe I'm inside a review!\\"

She then turned towards the Hatter and the March Hare.

\\"Well, let me see. Here is the title, and here is the date I read it. That must be today. Now I need to explain the plot and the overall point,\\" she said.

\\"There is no plot,\\" the March Hare said disagreeably.

\\"And there is no point,\\" the Hatter agreed.

He poured a little hot tea on the Dormouse's nose, causing it to wake up with a start.

\\"The book breaks new ground,\\" it said rapidly in a high, sing-song voice. \\"Intentionally eluding easy assignment to any traditional category, it anticipates the twentieth century's fascination with the relationship between the signifier and the signified, and wittily deconstructs the primacy of meaning and the rationality of thought.\\" Then it went back to sleep again and began to snore gently.

\\"Whatever did that mean?\\" asked Alice, completely surprised.

\\"Why is a Derrida like a derrière?\\" replied the Hatter.

\\"I don't know,\\" said Alice.

\\"I don't know either,\\" said the Hatter triumphantly.

\\"It would be reasonable\\", said Alice, using the grown-up tone she had sometimes heard her sister use. \\"It would be reasonable for you to explain what the book is about, so that I could put that in my review.\\"

\\"It would be reasonable,\\" said the Hatter, \\"to expect hot premarital sex in a Stephenie Meyer novel. But don't imagine you'll find any.\\"

Alice couldn't think of anything to reply to this, so she turned away without another word. When she was almost out of earshot, she thought she heard the Hatter shout something after her that might have been \\"Foucault!\\"

"We're all mad here"

I'm not going to insult your intelligence by giving a plot summary for this book as I think every person on the planet knows the premise. However, for the sake of completion and satisfying my OCD tendencies, here it is. Alice is a young girl who falls through a rabbit hole into a fantasy world, meeting lots of weird and peculiar characters. And that's it.

Well, the Mad Hatter isn't wrong. I started this book excited at the premise of reading a classic that I don't recall ever having read before. But within about ten pages, my excitement had quickly waned. I've come to the conclusion that people who love this book must have fallen in love with it as a child. Reading it then triggers feelings of nostalgia and memories of childhood. Because I simply hated every minute of reading this book. I went to bed every night and would find myself procrastinating on my phone instead of getting stuck into my book like I normally would.

I don't enjoy nonsense. I like things to be logical and follow some kind of structure. I guess that's the scientist in me. Of course, not everything can be logical in horror books etc, but this was like a different level of ridiculousness. Nothing made any sense, things were all over the place. We were just jumping around everywhere and I just wanted the experience to be over. If this book wasn't so short, I think it would have become a DNF for me.

Oh, and Alice literally has to be the sassiest, cheekiest, rudest little girl I've ever encountered in literature. What a brat. I just wanted to put her in her place for the entirety of the novel. Nope, I hate Alice.

The only highlight for me was the illustrations, as they are simply beautiful. So I apologise to all lovers of Alice in Wonderland but it's just not for me. I'll give 1 star for the story as I just can't allow myself to give zero stars, and I'll give 1 star for the illustrations. So that's 2 stars out of 5 from me! And a reading experience I'd like to forget.