Community Reviews

Rating(4 / 5.0, 55 votes)
5 stars
19(35%)
4 stars
19(35%)
3 stars
17(31%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
55 reviews
July 15,2025
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A detailed and seemingly balanced biography of Lewis Carroll has been presented. It offers a comprehensive look into the life of this remarkable author. This book has truly given me a new appreciation of the Alice books. It allows readers to see beyond the fictional world and understand the real-life experiences and inspirations that influenced Carroll's works. The insight into the life of an Oxford academic is simply fascinating. We get to learn about his academic pursuits, his social circle, and the events that shaped his perspective. It provides a deeper understanding of how his life experiences were incorporated into his imaginative stories. Overall, this biography is a must-read for anyone interested in Lewis Carroll and his works.

July 15,2025
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Done.

In spite of my basic boredom, I was truly sad when Carroll died on page 526. It wasn't a matter of surprise, but rather a deep sense of sadness that washed over me.

On another note, one has to wonder if anyone's life really can withstand this kind of intense inquiry. I often think about how biographers manage to endure it. They must possess a greater capacity for forgiveness than the average person.

*

For my Lewis Carroll class, this biography is somewhat decent. However, it can be rather overly sentimental in certain places. But I can't wholeheartedly recommend it, unless by some chance you are also teaching a class specifically on Carroll. The truth is, Carroll's life, for the most part, was dull. Of course, there were exceptions, as indicated by chapter titles like "The Pursuit of Innocents". --Not that the man seems to have done anything truly remarkable. Still, if you don't have a pressing need to know, then you really don't have to go to the trouble of finding out.

That's not to say he isn't worthy of study... or that he isn't interesting... in fact, everything has its own inherent interest. But the reality is, I wouldn't be reading this if I didn't have to for the sake of my class.
July 15,2025
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3,5 Stars

This rating of 3.5 stars indicates a moderately good experience.

It shows that there are aspects that are quite satisfactory, but perhaps there are also some areas that could be improved.

Maybe the product or service has some亮点, such as good quality in certain features or a pleasant appearance.

However, it might lack that extra something to earn a higher rating.

It could be that the performance is not quite as outstanding as expected, or there are some minor flaws that slightly detract from the overall impression.

Nevertheless, a 3.5-star rating is still a decent score, suggesting that it is worth considering and has the potential to be even better with a few adjustments or enhancements.

July 15,2025
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Everyone who proclaims to be a fan of Lewis Carroll or senses a connection to his works simply must read this book!


Cohen dedicated over 30 years to researching Carroll's life and works, and I have never come across a more in-depth analysis.


The sole reason I couldn't award the book 5 stars is because of the repetition.


There is also a bit of digressive rambling that one has to skip through.


Nevertheless, I gleaned a great deal of knowledge about Lewis Carroll as a person, and Cohen enabled me to form my own perspective of him.


This book is truly a must-read for anyone with an interest in Lewis Carroll and his remarkable body of work.

July 15,2025
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Love this biography!

Although it may not be written as skillfully as the one by Douglas-Fairhurst, it is without a doubt worth reading.

The author has managed to bring the subject to life in a unique and engaging way. The details provided offer a fascinating glimpse into the person's life, their achievements, and the challenges they faced.

Despite its shortcomings in terms of writing style, the content of this biography is rich and informative. It provides valuable insights that can enhance our understanding of the subject and their impact on the world.

Whether you are a fan of biographies or simply interested in learning more about this particular individual, this book is definitely worth picking up. You may be surprised by what you discover and find yourself thoroughly enjoying the read.
July 15,2025
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The author, armed with his profound and all-encompassing knowledge of Charles Dodgson/Lewis Carroll's (especially the former) writings and life, presents a meticulously researched and intricately detailed, clear-sighted, and empathetic portrayal of Charles Lutwidge Dodgson.

Among Dodgson's numerous achievements and gifts, his tireless and infinitely patient efforts to introduce girls to the captivating and magical realms of mathematics and logic stand out. This was during an era when girls were clearly regarded as second-class citizens, mere pretty objects to be dressed up and married off to the best suitor.

Cohen concludes: "Deprived of full, fluent speech [Dodgson had a speech hesitancy that, despite therapy, he was never able to overcome, a debilitating impediment for a man called to preach and share his remarkable knowledge with others], Charles adapted to the difficulty that defined his entire life, a life hindered by inescapable limitations, marred by imperfections, and lacking emotional fulfillment.

"Nevertheless, there is something noble, selfless, and generous in what Charles Dodgson made of himself and in the way he controlled his impulses and directed them to serve his family, his young friends, his society, his God - and himself. In the end, one not only wants to say 'Well done!' but also congratulate him for so successfully transforming a life that might easily have teetered on the brink and plunged into the abyss into one that was useful, dignified, and creative. For he, and he alone, molded that precarious youth of unusual talent and scrupulous character into a man who made many valuable and distinguished contributions to his world and to posterity - who made himself, in short, into a man worth writing about."

And a man worth reading about.
July 15,2025
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The article was previously reviewed under The Victorian Mollirama at The Taze Files.

This review provided valuable insights into the content and nature of the work. It likely explored the various aspects of The Victorian Mollirama, such as its themes, characters, and writing style.

Readers who are interested in this particular piece can refer to the review on The Taze Files to gain a better understanding.

The review may have also compared The Victorian Mollirama to other works in the same genre or by the same author.

Overall, it serves as a useful resource for those who want to know more about this specific literary offering.
July 15,2025
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It is truly too bad that this book is completely inaccurate. One would expect a certain level of authenticity and reliability from a written work. However, this particular book fails miserably in that regard. The inaccuracies it contains can be quite frustrating for the reader. It makes one question the credibility of the author and the research that went into writing it. It is a disappointment because books are often a source of knowledge and information. When a book is inaccurate, it not only misleads the reader but also undermines the value of the entire literary work. It is essential for authors to ensure the accuracy of their content to provide readers with a worthwhile and trustworthy reading experience.

July 15,2025
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Morton Cohen's biography about Lewis Carroll (Charles Dodgson) is indeed filled with a wealth of information, offering an intriguing perspective on the renowned children's author.

However, I had a certain aversion to the formatting of the book. Each chapter zeroed in on a specific topic, like Dodgson's photography, his fascination with children, and religion. It covered a substantial portion of Dodgson's life.

Consequently, it became quite challenging to determine where events precisely fit within the chronological framework of Dodgson's life. I also felt that some of Cohen's conclusions, especially those regarding religious matters and Dodgson's relationship with his father, seemed to be more based on Cohen's speculation rather than on actual evidence.

Nevertheless, despite these drawbacks, I am departing from this book with a more profound understanding of Lewis Carroll. In that regard, the book can be considered successful.

It has provided valuable insights into the life and works of this iconic author, even if the presentation and some of the interpretations left something to be desired.
July 15,2025
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**Original Article**: The new technology is very useful. It can help us solve many problems.

**Expanded Article**:

The new technology that has emerged is truly very useful. It has the potential to revolutionize various aspects of our lives. It can assist us in solving a plethora of problems that we previously faced. With its advanced features and capabilities, it opens up new possibilities and opportunities. It enables us to handle complex tasks more efficiently and accurately. This new technology is like a game-changer, bringing about significant improvements and advancements. We can look forward to seeing how it continues to evolve and make a positive impact on our society and daily lives.

It is indeed a remarkable innovation that holds great promise for the future.

July 15,2025
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This work is as rewarding a read as any in-depth Victorian biography.

It presents a detailed and comprehensive account, although it may come across as dry at times.

The content is likely to appeal most to hardcore Carrollians, those who have a deep and abiding interest in the works and life of Carroll.

It delves into the various aspects of his life, providing insights and details that may not be found in other, more general biographies.

Despite its dryness, the comprehensiveness of the work makes it a valuable resource for those who wish to gain a more in-depth understanding of Carroll and his contributions.

Whether you are a scholar, a fan, or simply someone interested in Victorian literature, this biography is well worth reading.
July 15,2025
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I'm basically a Lewis Carroll freak. I even wrote my MA thesis on the guy. And Morton N. Cohen is also a big fan of Carroll, which results in a dedicated and relatively interesting biography.

Cohen is highly devoted to his subject. He doesn't stray too far into wild speculation about what Carroll "must have thought" regarding various things, especially about the little girls he photographed and spent a significant amount of time with.

This biography is extremely thorough. It contains some photographs and drawings by Carroll himself, which is a really nice addition. It provides readers with a more comprehensive understanding of Carroll's life and works.

Overall, it's a great read for anyone interested in Lewis Carroll and his fascinating world.
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