At last I entered to the dreams of Alice. Alice, the little girl who followed a White rabbit with pink eyes fell into the world of wonders. The brilliant girl stole my heart (like many of its readers through century) as soon as she entered the magic land with her practical thinking and never afraid attitude.
The story was so thrilling in the beginning. I liked those getting bigger and smaller adventures which was real fun and how I wished the little Alice find a way to came out from the dungeon which supposedly is like ’the journey to the centre of the earth’. Things were so beautiful and interesting till the middle, say exactly after the first meeting of Alice with the Cheshire cat. From there the reading was with expectation but without much excitement. Conversation between the Hare and the Hatter was boring and the King Queen Execution drama was disastrous. (Later, when I read that the part I didn’t like was an addition to the first story, how the book would have been great if they didn’t add that heavy tail to the tale). The climax was an easy compromise as well, which made me to restrict the rating to 3 where the first half is of 5 star quality.
Children will love the first part of the story; also any one who fancy fantasy.
Beautiful illustration brings more life to characters where it helps to have a similar dream in many minds.
This one is a real treat for children. For one who wish to tell long stories to small children, the book will be helpful and the little grown ups may like to read it and give wings to their dreams.
Adults too may enjoy the book for one who keeps the child in one who love to dream, play, fear and joy.
The book is branded as a nonsensical genre. However, I think it is only a cover to hide the real intentions of the writer. The book is too much of English, especially in the second half. The novel is only complete when one understands the historical and geo political references in the story (This I am saying with my only little knowledge of it and probably that is why I didn’t like the second half). Also, the story has to understand from the view point of the world’s view of Britain (or vice versa) in the colonial era. The little Alice’s mock at the mice and the reference of the French cannot be accidental. Also the Hatter and Hare tea party can only brings memories of a set back in Boston. While the entire world is seen in relation to the Great Britain’s role in it, it is also an eye opener to the states of inside the country. The painting of rose flower to please the queen has a direct reference of some real incidents of the past. The education system, Lack of logic in judicial decisions and people’s unwanted fear etc. are well portrayed in the book. So, below the beautiful and innocent mask of Alice, if you find a wicked and mature adult it may not be accidental! And I don’t think anybody will literally believe one who says ’I am nonsensical’.
So friends, what are you waiting for? Try to dream the adventures along with your children if not with your childhood.