Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
On a drowsy afternoon by a riverbank, a young and distracted Alice follows a rabbit into a fantastical underground world that grows curiouser and curiouser. Dared, insulted, amused, and threatened by a succession of anthropomorphic creatures, the indomitable Alice falls deeper into a swirl of the imagination where logic has no place.
Referenced, resourced, analyzed, and embraced since its publication in 1865, Carroll’s masterpiece of the irrational has inspired such varied artists as Walt Disney, Marilyn Manson, Jerome Kern, James Joyce, and Tim Burton. It stands as one of the most extravagantly and ingeniously absurd works in the English language.
AmazonClassics brings you timeless works from the masters of storytelling. Ideal for anyone who wants to read a great work for the first time or rediscover an old favorite, these new editions open the door to literature’s most unforgettable characters and beloved worlds.
About Author
The Reverend Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, better known by the pen name Lewis Carroll, was an English author, mathematician, logician, Anglican clergyman and photographer.
His most famous writings are Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and its sequel Through the Looking-Glass as well as the poems “The Hunting of the Snark” and “Jabberwocky”, all considered to be within the genre of literary nonsense.
Oxford scholar, Church of England Deacon, University Lecturer in Mathematics and Logic, academic author of learned theses, gifted pioneer of portrait photography, colourful writer of imaginative genius and yet a shy and pedantic man, Lewis Carroll stands pre-eminent in the pantheon of inventive literary geniuses.
He also has works published under his real name.
Recap
Come on… do you really not know the story? Don’t tell me you’re living under a rock—because I was too. A big, heavy, classic-shaped rock. A rock so big, even Alice wouldn’t trip over it on her way down the rabbit hole?
How could you not? Don’t you read? Are you anti-social or something? Or the people surrounding you have never read it, either?
It’s okay. I didn’t read it, either, until July 2025.
I thought I had some vague idea, but nope. When I finally opened this book, I realised I knew absolutely nothing.
Zero.
Zilch.
Nada.
Sifar.
Anda.
And guess what? It made the whole experience ten times better. Because every page was a surprise, and I’m low-key mad at myself for waiting this long. So, yeah—I didn’t know the story either until I read it. And wow… what a ride.
So, here’s the recap:
A curious girl named Alice scowls upon her sister’s book with no picture and no dialogue (as kids usually do, and so do adults, so what do I know?) . Bored, she sees a rabit and chases her down the rabbit hole. Thus begins her adventure in wonderland. That’s not of much help, because that’s exactly what the title suggests. I’m just being useless, on purpose.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
My surprise read of the month!
Why Alice…?
Those who know me, know that I started reading Zuni Chopra’s The House That Spoke. It starts with this:
“You’re not the same as you were before,” he said. You were much more… muchier… you’ve lost your muchness.”
― Lewis Carroll
I loved the quote, so, like any self-respecting adult, I googled it.
Then, I googled s’more, found out that the book The House That Spoke is inspired by Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. It’s about a haunted mansion, and a snob teenage girl. I couldn’t relate to her or her story, so I thought…hey… why not read the source material?
So, yeah, I finally picked up this classic expecting an old-fashioned children’s tale… and wow, was I wrong.
Language & Style
The language didn’t feel dated at all—if anything, it was sharp, playful, and way wittier than I imagined. I thought I’d be trudging through stiff Victorian sentences, but instead, I breezed through whimsical wordplay and clever nonsense.
Humour & Tone
The humour caught me off guard—in the best way! It’s not just silly jokes for kids; there’s this subtle, almost philosophical humour that adults can appreciate. Some lines made me pause and think, “Did Lewis Carroll just roast Victorian society in a children’s book?”
What I Loved
“I wish I hadn’t cried so much!” said Alice, as she swam about, trying to find her way out.
- The unpredictability of the story—one bizarre scene after another, but it never drags.
- Alice’s curiosity and confidence (so refreshing for a book from the 1800s!). I still can’t shake
- Whimsical World-Building: The surreal setting—talking animals, shrinking potions, and upside-down logic—feels like stepping into a dream.
- Humour: Surprisingly sharp and witty, with jokes adults appreciate as much as children.
- The tea party—pure chaos and comedy.
- The characters: The rat, the cat, the Queen who orders everyone to be beheaded—each is weird, funny, and iconic.
- Nonsense that makes sense in its own way—challenging conventional thinking.
- It has philosophical undertones with themes of identity, growth, and reality disguised as nonsense.
- It’s short, and accessible, and FREE. Unlike many classics, it’s quick to read yet deeply entertaining.
- Let’s admit it. I read a classic, a book that has shaped literature, art, and pop culture. It makes me feel part of something bigger.
What I Didn’t Like (which is also a praise for the author)
Kinda ended abruptly. I wished there was more.
What Might Not Work for Everyone
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There’s no “plot” in the traditional sense—if you need structure, this feels like a fever dream.
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Some puns might fly over kids’ heads (or even adults unfamiliar with old wordplay).
- I didn’t much care for the poetry.
Why It’s Still Worth Reading
Because it proves classics can be fun. It’s short, clever, and surprisingly modern in its humour. If you’ve avoided it thinking it’s “just for kids,” prepare to have your expectations turned upside down—just like Alice.
Final Verdict
A timeless trip down a rabbit hole, where nonsense somehow makes perfect sense. I’m onto my next classic now, Little Women, but it will take much longer than Alice…
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Stay tuned for more book reviews.
Until next time, happy reading!
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Shabana Mukhtar