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Rating(4 / 5.0, 55 votes)
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55 reviews
July 15,2025
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Okay, there are numerous theories regarding who CLD truly was, what his nature was like, whether he was a pedophile or engaged in drug use.

Many people will undermine books simply because they do not conform to their cherished theories.

The fact is, this is a remarkable biography that offers a great deal of profound understanding about the man.

Whether it presents the complete picture - well, it simply can't; there are vast areas that we are aware we know nothing about.

I did not concur with all of Cohen's theories, yet I considered it to be well-written and a pleasure to read.

It provided valuable perspectives and allowed me to gain a better appreciation for CLD, despite the gaps in our knowledge.

Overall, it is a worthy addition to the literature on this subject.

July 15,2025
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Lewis Carroll, also known as Charles Dodgson, was an extraordinary individual. He was the eldest son in a large family and spent a significant amount of time entertaining his younger siblings. Growing up, he based the famous "Alice in Wonderland" on the stories he told to Alice Liddell and her sisters, daughters of the Dean of the Oxford college where he was a don.


Carroll had a lifelong preference for the company of children, especially girls. While the author of this book speculates that he might have been a pedophile, there is no record of him engaging in any improper behavior with the numerous girls and young women he interacted with over the years. His diaries do record struggles with unspecified temptations, which the author suggests could potentially refer to sexual fantasies, but we can never be certain.


In the early days of photography, Carroll was keen on it and photographed girls nude, but only with the parents' permission and when the girls were completely comfortable. He only kept copies for a short time and even wrote to the parents about destroying theirs to avoid embarrassing the girls. Despite letters indicating that he took a fair number of such photos, only around six of his nudes survive.


It's important to note that it was a different time then. People saw nude children as symbols of innocence, and their representation in ads and such was not a big deal. While some might have been turned on by ads like those for Pear's Soap, most people were unaware. Carroll was also a serious mathematician and inventor. When he learned of Babbage's work on a computing machine, he wrote to him and the two met to discuss it, which is quite fascinating. His unique way of looking at things, as evident in "Alice in Wonderland," makes him sound like someone one would have liked to know.
July 15,2025
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I read this book during my high school days. As I delved into its pages, I discovered that the life and ideas presented within were truly fascinating. The author's account of his experiences and the thoughts he shared provided me with a unique perspective. It was as if I was being taken on a journey through his world, witnessing the events that shaped him and the beliefs that guided his actions. Each chapter seemed to unfold like a new adventure, filled with moments of inspiration and revelation. The book not only piqued my curiosity but also made me reflect on my own life and the choices I was making. It was a truly enriching read that left a lasting impression on me.

July 15,2025
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Great book!

This is truly an outstanding piece of literature. The moment I picked it up, I was captivated by its engaging storyline and well-developed characters.

The author's writing style is both vivid and descriptive, allowing me to easily envision every scene and emotion.

Each chapter holds a new surprise and keeps me on the edge of my seat, eager to turn the page and discover what lies ahead.

Not only is the plot thrilling, but the book also offers valuable insights into human nature and society.

It makes me think deeply about various aspects of life and has broadened my perspective.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good read. It is a must-have for book enthusiasts and will surely leave a lasting impression.

July 15,2025
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Very interesting! This statement implies that there is something that catches one's attention and generates a sense of curiosity or amusement. It could refer to a wide range of things, such as a story, an event, a person, or an idea. When something is described as very interesting, it often means that it has unique or engaging qualities that make it stand out from the ordinary. It can spark further exploration and discussion, as people are eager to learn more about it. Whether it's a thrilling adventure, a thought-provoking concept, or a humorous anecdote, the label of "very interesting" suggests that it has the power to captivate and entertain. It invites us to delve deeper and discover the hidden gems within, opening up new perspectives and expanding our understanding.

July 15,2025
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Lewis Carroll is a fascinating figure, and this biography attempts to be very thorough in exploring his life.

However, despite the detailed account, I still find myself not having a truly great understanding of him. It seems that perhaps nobody really can fully grasp the essence of this complex man.

The author can't resist speculating about various aspects of his life. For example, what was his motivation in forming relationships with children? What kind of emotional turmoil did he experience when those children grew up and left his life? And what precisely led to the breakdown of his relationship with the Liddells?

These are some of the most significant questions surrounding his life, but unfortunately, there are no clear answers. It's as if Lewis Carroll remains an enigma, with many aspects of his personality and experiences hidden beneath the surface.

Perhaps this is part of his allure, as we continue to be intrigued by the man who created such beloved works as "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland."

Despite our attempts to understand him, he may always remain just out of reach, a mystery waiting to be解开.
July 15,2025
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The text you provided is already quite short. Here is an expanded version of it:

Exceptionally well written!

It is very thorough, showing great attention to detail and covering all the necessary aspects.

The thoughtfulness put into it is evident, as it presents ideas in a coherent and logical manner.

Moreover, it is highly organized, making it easy to follow and understand.

Charles Dodgson, the renowned author better known as Lewis Carroll, would most likely have liked it.

His works were also characterized by precision, creativity, and a unique sense of organization.

This piece shares some of those qualities, which is why it would likely have appealed to him.

Overall, it is a remarkable piece of writing that stands out for its excellence.
July 15,2025
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Innovative photographer, mathematician and logician, poet, author, lover of language, fantasy, nonsense, and children, Oxford Don, inventor, and gadabout - Charles Lutwidge Dodgson had an incredibly diverse and remarkable mind. I have a strong desire to know him better. His hobby of photographing nude children is, to say the least, rather strange. However, considering the number of parents who consented to his taking such photographs or even actively sought him out, and given the Victorians' somewhat odd views regarding children, I am reluctant to assign Freudian motives. This is in contrast to the author of this book.


Author Morton Cohen undoubtedly has a wealth of knowledge about Lewis Carroll. Nevertheless, I am not overly impressed with how he presents that knowledge in this particular book. It is not just the assumptions he makes at various points, which I truly despise, but also the way he has organized the book. Instead of following a timeline, it is structured by subject. I can understand the reasoning behind his approach. With so much information to include about each subject, a strict timeline would have been far more challenging to manage. Perhaps if I had read a shorter biography of Dodgson first, it might have been more beneficial for me, as I would then have had a framework to which I could attach all this detailed information.


Currently, I have my eye on Roger Lancelyn Green's edited volumes of Dodgson's diaries. I am also open to other suggestions that might help me gain a more comprehensive understanding of this fascinating individual.

July 15,2025
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It was extremely interesting to read while my book club was delving into Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, which is one of my all-time favorites. I must admit that I was most curious about Carroll's unnatural fixation with little girls. He was truly a genius in mathematical lectures, writing, and humor. He took great care of his siblings and was a gifted photographer, possessing a multitude of talents. However, it is also a fact that he took many nude photos of little girls. His diaries are filled with heart-wrenching prayers to God, beseeching Him to remove his sinfulness.


This author believes that Carroll never actually acted on his unseemly fantasies but instead spent a lifetime suppressing his baser thoughts. Being too much of a Victorian gentleman to put any sexual thoughts in his diaries, people can only speculate about what truly transpired in the darkroom.


I am very much drawn to Charles Dobson. Here is a great quote: "Talking is a wonderful smoother over of difficulties. When I come upon anything in Logic, or in any other hard subject that entirely puzzles me, I find it a capital plan to talk it over aloud, even when I am alone. One can explain things so clearly, to one's self! And then, you know, one is so patient with one's self: one never gets irritated at one's own stupidity."


And I can surely relate to the following passage: "His uncharacteristic desuetude continued through the latter half of 1870. He recorded no depressions, sadness, or grief, but his old vigor was absent; he seems rather, to float numbly through the days." p. 381

July 15,2025
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This article is really well written.

It has the power to make you become increasingly interested in Charles's life.

The illustrations and the photographs of Charles (both of him and the ones he took from others) play a significant role.

They assist in better imagining how pleasant it must have been to have his company.

You can almost picture the scenes and the experiences that Charles might have had.

The details provided give a vivid and engaging account of his life.

It makes you want to know more about him and his adventures.

Overall, this article is a great read that leaves you with a sense of curiosity and a desire to explore further into Charles's world.
July 15,2025
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Lewis Carroll is an author whom I truly love. His works are usually filled with imagination and charm. However, this particular book, to my disappointment, managed to be painfully boring at times.

I had high expectations when I picked it up, hoping for the same kind of magic that I had experienced in his other writings. But as I delved into the story, I found myself struggling to stay engaged.

The plot seemed to drag on in certain parts, lacking the excitement and twists that I had come to expect from Carroll. The characters, although interesting in concept, didn't seem to come alive on the page as vividly as they should have.

Despite its flaws, I still tried to find something redeeming in the book. I told myself that maybe there were hidden gems that I was missing. But as I continued to read, the boredom persisted.

In the end, I was left with a sense of disappointment. While I will always have a soft spot for Lewis Carroll, this book will not be one that I remember fondly.
July 15,2025
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I really enjoyed the beginning of this book.

It started in chronological order, which was interesting. The writing was good, and it provided insights into the beginnings of the man who wrote Alice in Wonderland.

However, as I continued reading, I felt it got caught up in justifying Dodgson's behavior towards children and then spiraled downward from there.

There was an overwhelming amount of detail in this book. It was incredibly detailed, to the point where it seemed to lose its focus and became a jumbled mess of people's names, letters, and an over-analysis of all his work.

I had to take a break from reading it because it felt incredibly heavy. And the longer I put it down, the less inclined I was to pick it back up again.

Ultimately, my determination to leave no book unfinished drove me to finish what I started.

I feel that if you have a great interest in this man, then this book is certainly an interesting read. But for me, who couldn't care less one way or the other, it was just a chaotic collection of facts, and ultimately, I found his entire life rather boring.

I felt like the author was attempting to make you think favorably of him and perhaps view him as being stuck in a childlike state himself. However, I simply don't have the slightest bit of interest in Dodgson and his life.

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