Discoveries: Lewis Carroll in Wonderland (Discoveries (Harry Abrams)) [Paperback]

Stephanie Lovett Stoffel (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1997 | Series: Discoveries (Harry Abrams)

Featuring 130 illustrations, nearly one hundred of them in color, a look into the mind of the creator of Alice in Wonderland recounts the life of the mathematician-turned-writer and explores the enduring allure of his story. Original."

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams; First Edition edition (February 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810928388
• ISBN-13: 978-0810928381
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #83,869 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #97 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Ethnic & National > Irish

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fine introduction to the author of Alice in Wonderland, October 30, 1997

By 

[e-mail] (Easton, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Discoveries: Lewis Carroll in Wonderland (Discoveries (Harry Abrams)) (Paperback)

Stephanie Lovett Stoffel has written a short, easily read introduction to the life of Charles Dodgson [Lewis Carroll] which places the author in the context of his times. Stoffel debunks many of the absurd theories about Carroll's relationships with Alice and his other child friends and creates a far more healthy and comprehensible version of this author than we generally see. While Morton Cohen has written the largely definitive volume on Dodgson, it is somewhat of a chore to read through, while Stoffel gives a fine overview in this short volume. This book is also illustrated with many fine picturs, including photos taken by Dodgson of Alice Liddell and his other child friends, but also pictures which illustrate the Victorian era, including pictures which Dodgson himself liked. Samples of Carroll's poetry and prose, as well as a number of letters are included in the appendix. The only downside to this delightful book is that its small size makes some of the pictures hard to see. Incidentally the pictures on pages 38 and 64-65 are taken from The Other Alice, by Christina Bjork, a fine children's introduction to the same subject.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Content and presentation are excellent., November 24, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Discoveries: Lewis Carroll in Wonderland (Discoveries (Harry Abrams)) (Paperback)

This book provides a well written description of the conditions and environment that led to the writing of the Alice books. The reader is immersed in Victorian culture both verbally and visually. The profusely illustrated book is a joy to read and informative as well. It fills the niche between biography and textual analysis.

Joel Birenbaum, president of the Lewis Carroll Society of North America

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful 'train book' for the Wonderland lover, September 29, 2007

By 

Elizabeth G. Melillo "gloriana" - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Discoveries: Lewis Carroll in Wonderland (Discoveries (Harry Abrams)) (Paperback)

I mention the 'train book' aspect because this book is just the size to tuck into a handbag. As one who loves Lewis Carroll's works, and has studied Victorian England in depth, I found this work to be a surprisingly rich, delightful treatment of Lewis Carroll's life and work.

It is not an in-depth study of all aspects of his life, and, somehow, I found it most refreshing that, unlike some books which are, there were no diversions into Freudian speculation or treatments of bizarre theories about Dodgson's ways. Instead, the reader is treated to a fairly thorough survey of biographical information and essentials of Lewis Carroll's writings.

The illustrations are exceptionally extensive, including many photographs (of or by Carroll), varied illustrations from editions of "Alice," and, as far as textual illustrations are concerned, excerpts from Dodgson's private correspondence and diaries. One comes to the end of the book with a sense of having covered an amazingly large scope. For example, other authors have mentioned (without showing) the supposedly notorious nude photographs of children which Dodgson prepared. This book not only includes the pictures (which tend to the cherubic, with no flavour of the erotic), but places them into the Victorian cultural perspective with taste and dignity.

The author's style is superb - with a blend of beautiful language, concise but thorough treatment of the material, and impressive dignity. There is none of the excesses common in many books on Lewis Carroll, where rash speculation and prurient "let's pander to the 21st century love for 'dirt'" ruin the essentials of the story. Lewis Carroll is presented in all his brilliance, humour, and eccentricity. The classic works, with all of their fancy, wit, and wonder, are not ruined by excessive analysis or so filled with 'dark' speculation that one forgets what every child can see: they are delightful diversions.

Pair this book with an annotated edition of Lewis Carroll's works, and you will have the perfect gift for anyone who has ever loved "Alice" and her creator. And creator indeed Carroll was, for, as this book shows well, the Alice of fiction was hardly a model of Alice Liddell. The author speaks in some detail of the relationship of the "real" Alice and Charles Dodgson, with no tired attempts to confuse them with the book's contents. As well, the references to other Victorian literature and art places Carroll's work, and the friendship with the Liddell family, in an enlightening perspective for the contomporary reader.

Witty, insightful, and extensively detailed for a pocket book, I would highly recommend this work for anyone who already loves Lewis Carroll or would like a further acquaintance.