No Subject

[Jennifer Blacker, PhD]

This book is very big on symbolism and it has a large amount of actual material that is unsuitable for children. Like a caterpillar smoking a hookah? Or how about how the whole of Through the Looking Glass talking about and making suggestions towards death. Read some of the cliff notes and you might just understand why this book is not just and "Amusing toy." I have been reading and rereading this book for about 15 years. I have taught this book and other Lewis Carroll material in my 12th Grade British Literature Class for over 13 of those. It is a very difficult book to understand and most of the information and symbolism is hard to find unless you are reading it and discussing it at the same time.

[Mica M.]

The Alice Books do have deeply wrought thoughts and we should all be able to appreciate the sheer genius of Lewis Carroll. He was a very very creative, intelligent and both sensible and sensitive man. You should not comment lightly and share your wise opinions in public if you are not yet ready for that. You are not even a native speaker of English, and I can't imagine how you ever managed to value the essence of the original language if you read it in translation. It doesn't matter though. You just don't have the heart to tresure beautiful and humorous ideas in any language is what it seems to me. You should have a rethink on how you take the world. You just dissapoint me. If you think it's a toy then you had better think it is a really really precious toy, and should thank your luck it ever came in your way.<br><br>Mica M.<br>Houston, TX USA

[Henry .D.]

J Blacker you are right, Mica M you are also right and Iris you are right as well. Everyone's views are valid. To appreciate this book one must also appreciate that we all see things differently!!

[mo]

Mica, you are too hard on this gentleman. <br> Sir: If it is not too much trouble, would you read what Alice thinks about before she goes through the little door? What can you tell me about a candle that has gone out? <br> I read and loved these books as a child without knowing or caring why. As an adult I find subtle allusions to great themes and questions. Art does not always translate well, but I am sure that if you read it carefully you will find that the author was a very thoughtful man. <br> Among other things, the book is about how children learn to live in a world of rules which to them appear quite arbitrary. Even the laws of physics appear arbitrary to a very young child. Alice changes through the book;she becomes more confident, more adult. She both gains and loses in the process.<br> You say the book is very interesting. What do you find interesting about it?

[iris]

i am a reader of this book, i am from china. this book is very interesting, but i donn't think any adult would consider alice's adventure have deeply thoughts. the book is just a amusing toy!