Customer Reviews

Lewis Carroll: A Biography

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am not going to review Morton's biography as it has been acclaimed for many years since it's publication.
What caused me to comment here is the statements by some readers that Cohen's book should be updated due to "new evidence" by Karoline Leach that Carroll was not in love with Alice, but her governess. She further states that the Carroll was not as attracted to children as one is led to believe and the whole "little girl" thing is a myth!

I will not comment in great length about this since I am not reviewing HER book, but I feel I must make a few points.

Nothing in the diary page that Ms. Leach quotes from proves anything, and is greatly taken out of context. She totally ignores more obvious evidence to the contrary.

While many people in Oxford thought Carroll's attentions to be for the governess, this was understandable because to think of a grown Oxford don in love with the Dean's daughter was more far fetched.

However, Mrs. Liddell and Carroll himself didn't think so....
Not only did Carroll in his later diaries admit to a long talk with Alice's' mother after her marriage, where he admits to his "foolish" ways (toward Alice) in the past, his estrangement from the Deanery. During that talk, Mrs. Liddell forgives him. (note: that with Alice's marriage, she didn't view Carroll as the "threat" he once was)

Ina, Alice's sister in letters to Alice before her death , mentions that she always thought Dodgson was in love with her sister, and when Alice denies this, Ina points out the many times she had been sitting inappropriately on Dodgson's lap and alludes to other incidents.

Then, there is the letter to Carroll's uncle, where he is upset at the news that his brother wants to marry 14 year old Alice Jane Donkin.
Carroll alludes to the similar problems he himself had gone through with "AL"..now..who could THAT be??

And why DID Alice's mother burn all of Carroll's letter to her daughter?

Because of his love for the governess?

I think not.

While it is certain that Dodgson was not the shy recluse, and had many adult friends including women, and did remain loyal to his girl friends even after they grew up.... a man who spent his time, money, and most of his life devoted to his child-friends is clearly not using it as a smoke screen to meet adult women.

If anyone still has doubts about Carroll's love and devotion to Alice, one just has to re-read the framing poems of the two Alice books again.

In Through the Looking Glass, published a few years after his falling out with the Liddell family, he wrote:
"Still she haunts me phantom wise, Alice moving under skys..never seen by waking eyes...

Yeah, he was in love with the governess all right!!!!

Read Morton Cohen's book if you seek the truth, as much as we can know, about Lewis Carroll.

Cohen is clearly the world's foremost authority on Lewis Carroll, and his biography of this fascinating author is a rich amalgam of factual detail and careful analysis, supplemented with many interesting photographs.

Unlike the narrow thesis-driven Leach book, this biography provides a well-rounded and comprehensive portrait of Carroll the man and author.

Cohen has done more to establish the factual details of Carroll's life and work than anyone else, thanks to this biography and to his scrupulous editions of Carroll's letters.

The only real negative about this beautiful and compassionate portrait is the fact that there is some newer information that conflicts with some of what is present in this book. Another edition of the book to address these issues would be welcome, but that doesn't mean this book is obsolete! It is still a very interesting and well-written account of the life of C. L. Dodgson, the man who would become better known as Lewis Carroll, and this book shouldn't go overlooked. If you are only mildly interested (or perhaps not very much at all) in the subject, you will likely find that this book is capable of holding your attention until the end. An excellent starting point for budding Carrollians, but less an excellent *ending*.

Everything you ever wanted to know about Charles L. Dodgson, and more. The "more" is Cohen's firm belief that Dodgson was a pedophile, but did not act on his inner desires. He was in all ways a Victorian, a chaste and very gifted genius. The book is extremely well written, well researched, and easy to read. Whether or not one agrees with Cohen's view of Dodgson's inner desires, this book is an outstanding addition for any Lewis Carroll fan, from an author who clearly admires and is sympathetic to his subject.

I first picked up this book from the local library as a ninth grader not even particularly fond of the Alice books- I think I just liked the cover. I ended up checking the book out many times afterwards, reading and rereading it. This book is beautifully written, and paints a fair and thorough picture of a quietly tormented genius. I would recommend this book to anyone, not just "Alice" lovers.

A magnificent biography of this great literary figure! Thoroughly researched, well-thought out, delightfully written. I found this a pleasure. Highly recommended.

The central mystery that has us all wondering about this man - the question of his sexuality- remains, but that is as it should be. Great biographies have an unsolved mystery at their heart. At this point Morton has found all the facts we shall ever have, and fascinating facts they are. The rest is speculation, but fascinating speculation. I shall look forward to Leach's book, which I have on order, but doubt if she can add anything to this masterpiece. Question: Would we still be so interested in Charles Lutwidge Dodgson if he had been a respectable married man and father or indeed if he was definitely a proven child molester?

I had a single purpose when I picked up this book. To learn, study and understand the works of an author known world-wide as Lewis Carroll. For those who think they can understand the "Alice" books, I highly recommend that you read this biography. Not only did it provide insight to the man, it provided insight to his era, which influenced his works. Though tedious at times, it helps to clarify his works, and dismiss past mis-interpretations. A must read for anyone who thinks they know the man and "Alice".

If you are interested in Lewis Carroll and his Alice books get this volume. The day I obtained my copy I began reading at midnight and continued to daylight. The perfect account of a Romantic transcending the limitations of time and space...and the embodiment of charm.

This is a very erudite book and Cohen knows a huge amount. I would have given it five stars except that I do think he dodges the issue of Carroll's sexuality. Cohen tries to tie up the unhappy diary entries Carroll made around 1860s with the contacts he had (or didn't have) with Alice at that time. But they just DON'T tie up, and it reduces Cohen's credibility that he tries. Carroll was a very unusual man and very much part of his historical era, so hard for us to understand, but now Karoline Leach has put 2 & 2 together (not necessarily making 4) it does seem time to move on from the old Victorian vision of asexual "Lewis Carroll" . (And, as a fan of Carroll's works, I'd be glad for the world to move on from seeing him as some sort of paedophile!)So I really wish Cohen had addressed this.