Lewis Carroll: A Biography

I don't read a great deal of biographies, so I don't have a distinct sense of what constitutes a great biography. However, I will say that Cohen did an outstanding job of weaving together letters to and from Carroll, as well as those about him, Carroll's journal, excerpts from other biographies like Collingwood's on Carroll and Clark's on Alice Liddell (the inspiration for Alice in Wonderland), and other sources to present a coherent story of Carroll's life.

I felt as if I came to know Lewis Carroll as a person in much the same way one gets to know a friend over the years.

That being said, a drawback of this biography is that it traverses Lewis Carroll's (Charles Dodgson's) life in several passes. As a result, the complete picture of Carroll doesn't emerge until after one has read each pass. The book does mostly progress chronologically from Carroll's childhood up to his death. But the passes mean that, for instance, one reads about Carroll's life in the 1870s (when he was in his 40s) first through the perspective of his writing, then through that of his mathematical lecturing at Oxford, then through his relationship with his father, then through his relationship with his child-friends (almost all of whom were girls), and so on. It would have been more enlightening to read a single account of his life from start to finish.

I truly appreciated Cohen's stance on Carroll. While many biographers attempt to scandalize Carroll's strange penchant for spending most of his free time with 12-year-old girls, Cohen defends Carroll's behavior towards these girls as being pure and generous. Cohen cites the accounts of several of Carroll's child-friends who praise him for his kindness, generosity, patience, and drollery. Carroll's child-friends adored him, learned a great deal from him, and had a wonderful time with him. Carroll treated his child-friends splendidly, taking them to the theater, introducing them to famous London actresses, teaching them logic, entertaining them with puzzles and riddles, and with extemporaneous, nonsensical stories (one of which became Alice in Wonderland). Cohen does concede at the end of the book that Carroll probably did have sexual desires for these girls. But as an ordained deacon in the church and a strict Victorian, Lewis Carroll kept these desires tightly bottled up throughout his entire life. More than anything, it seemed that Carroll wanted to be loved by his child-friends; they were, in turn, a substitute wife for him.

Although there is no conclusive proof, as Carroll's diary was redacted by his niece, there is strong evidence that, when Alice Liddell was twelve years old, Carroll asked Alice's parents for her hand in marriage. In Victorian times, this was not entirely uncommon; many marriages were arranged between older men and very young girls, not to be consummated until the girl matured. Whatever actually transpired, Lewis Carroll endured a rift in his relationship with the Liddells that never fully mended. Carroll grappled with anger towards Mr. Liddell, who was the Dean of Oxford's Christ Church where Carroll taught mathematics. And Carroll struggled with loneliness, a void he endeavored to fill with a succession of female child-friends (some two to three hundred by his own admission) ever after, until the end of his life.

Cohen introduced me to Lewis Carroll in a profound manner, and for that, I am forever grateful. The book itself could be streamlined and edited to flow as a continuous narrative from Carroll's childhood to his death. But even in its current unwieldy form, it's a great read.

Lewis Carroll is truly a remarkable figure, worthy of a 5-star rating. His works, such as "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking-Glass," have captured the imaginations of readers for generations. The vivid and fantastical worlds he creates, filled with curious characters and absurd situations, are a testament to his boundless creativity.

On the other hand, the biographer seems to have fallen short, receiving a 0 rating. Perhaps the biographer failed to fully capture the essence of Carroll's life and work. Maybe the writing was dry or the research was lacking. Whatever the reason, the end result is a disappointment.

In conclusion, while Lewis Carroll's genius shines bright, the biographer has unfortunately not done justice to his subject. It is a shame that such a great author's life story has not been presented in a more engaging and accurate way.

Hopefully, future biographers will be able to do better and give Carroll the treatment he deserves.

If you're interested in Lewis Carroll's life and the period of time he lived in, then this is a perfect read for you.

Lewis Carroll, whose real name was Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, was a fascinating figure. He lived during a time of great change and innovation.

His works, most notably "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland," have captivated audiences for generations.

By delving into his life, we can gain a deeper understanding of the inspiration behind his stories and the cultural context in which they were created.

This book offers a detailed look at Carroll's personal and professional life, as well as the events and trends that shaped his era.

Whether you're a fan of his literature or simply curious about the past, this is a must-read that will provide you with a wealth of information and insights.

So, pick up this book and embark on a journey through the life and times of Lewis Carroll.

You won't be disappointed.

Charles Dodgson is a figure of great interest, and this article provides an excellent detailed account of both him and the society that surrounded him. It delves into his various hobbies, with a particular emphasis on photography, which is presented in a very engaging way. Surprisingly, the account of his nonfiction works and his career as a teacher is also quite interesting. While, like all academic biographies, it can be a bit dry and occasionally theoretical, it is filled with numerous great stories that bring Dodgson's life to life. Overall, this article is well worth a read as it offers a comprehensive and fascinating look at the man and his times.

I have a profound love for big biographies. This particular one is truly filled to the brim with an abundance of information. There are names galore, specific dates, even more names, and chapters that bring out themes in a somewhat disorderly fashion. Additionally, there are yet more names, dates, and details about mathematics that even the author doesn't seem to completely fathom. Amidst all this, it still manages to create a sympathetic and captivating portrayal of the man who was Lewis Carroll.

If I were to write about Dodgson in the future, I would most definitely refer to this volume. However, the story of the man is at times overshadowed by its encyclopedic asides. I often found myself wondering if the book was truly delving into the core of the man. This biography firmly belongs to the "Carroll myth" camp, which means it defends the notion that Dodgson was a repressed pedophile. Although Cohen believes he never fully recognized or acted upon his desires, and surely never abused children.

I have been informed that there is another camp of scholars, represented by a younger generation of British women, who believe the whole idea of Dodgson's pedophilia and his fixation with the young Alice Liddell is utter nonsense. I think Cohen presents a compelling argument, but I will have to peruse a biography from the opposing camp to truly understand. Either way, Cohen depicts Dodgson as a tragic and noble figure, and his biography is incredibly detailed and extremely poignant at certain moments. It is well worth the read.

From the Anagrama Memory Library collection, I have read several books, and the one I liked the most was that of Marguerite Duras.

I still have others pending, such as those of Proust and Sontag. It is an excellent collection.

Although I didn't love it because of its density, I recognize that the book about Charles Lutwidge Dodgson is interesting and aesthetically very well taken care of. However, following his adventures is not particularly exciting, and several aspects of his life remain wrapped in uncertainty (was he a repressed pedophile or simply a man with a peculiar sensitivity?). Even so, the book has a great visual value, with photographs of remarkable quality taken by Dodgson himself, a talented amateur for the image.

The collection offers a diverse range of literary works that can satisfy different tastes. The books not only provide interesting stories and insights but also展示 beautiful visual elements.

Reading from this collection has been a rewarding experience, and I look forward to exploring more of the books it has to offer.

Whether it's the captivating works of Duras or the thought-provoking books about other authors, there is always something new and exciting to discover.

The Anagrama Memory Library collection truly is a treasure trove for book lovers.

This book has two issues. Firstly, Cohen persists in referring to Dodgson as 'Charles' throughout, which can be a bit distracting.

Secondly, there is an excessive amount of unfounded speculation. Phrases like 'Charles would have seen', 'Charles would have read', and 'Charles would have thought' are used repeatedly. If I desired mere speculation, I could have easily done it on my own.

However, it should be noted that there is one instance where his speculation proves useful. That is regarding the June 1863 lacuna when Dodgson had a falling out with the Liddells. In the absence of any recorded facts, Cohen's thinking suddenly becomes clear and persuasive. His construction of 'There would have been no explosion, no finger pointed to the Deanery door' truly convinced me.

Overall, while the book has its flaws in terms of the overuse of speculation and the consistent use of 'Charles', there is still some value to be found in Cohen's work, especially in that particular area of the June 1863 incident.

A good book is truly a precious gem. This particular one is an outstanding biography of a brilliant man. It delves deep into the life and times of this remarkable individual, painting a vivid and detailed picture of his journey. From his humble beginnings to his rise to great heights, every aspect of his life is explored with great care and precision. The author has done an excellent job of bringing this man's story to life, making it both engaging and inspiring. Through the pages of this book, we get to witness the man's struggles, his triumphs, and his unwavering determination. It is a must-read for anyone who is interested in learning about the life of a truly remarkable person.