A young girl takes a tumble down a hole and all sorts of bizarre adventures await from encounters with a late rabbit, a homicidal queen, a kooky Hatter, and more. A beloved children’s classic- that adults adore, too- is just the thing when the real world gets to be a bit much. “We’re all mad here”, Cheshire Cat from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland Chapter 6
I read this when I was a child, but it has been years so I was pleased to take it up with this delightful audiobook version.
A Victorian era nonsense tale has young Alice exploring the world down the rabbit hole after following a talking, well-groomed white rabbit where her knowledge up to this point of the world is turned on its ear. Alice is intrepid and doesn’t bat an eye when eating or drinking makes her shrink or grow, when animals talk, reason, and argue, and when a deck of cards and a croquet match can be deadly. Mixed through the tale of her explorations of the world down the rabbit hole are silly poems and songs. And, I had no idea so many well-used quotes came from this short book.
Cheshire cat remains my favorite creature that Alice encounters and gave me food for thought with this quote:Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?”
“That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,” said the Cat.
“I don’t much care where—” said Alice.
“Then it doesn’t matter which way you go,” said the Cat.
“—so long as I get somewhere,” Alice added as an explanation.
“Oh, you’re sure to do that,” said the Cat, “if you only walk long enough.” —Chapter 6, Pig and Pepper
Lynn Norris’ talented narration work simply sparkled. She infused Carroll’s playful text with heart from Alice’s thoughtful ponderings to the mayhem of the duchess’ house and to a song by a sea creature. Sheer delight and the production work was top notch, as well.
All in all, I happily slid down that rabbit hole with Alice and lost myself in the oddities that had her “curiouser and curiouser”. Those who love children’s classics or wish to initiate their own children to a fun fantasy world should definitely consider this version.
