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Wednesday, August 12, 2015

148. Through The Looking Glass

Through The Looking Glass
Lewis Carroll
1871
Around 150 pages








This was an easy checkmark for me, since my edition of Alice in Wonderland came with this tiny sequel attached.  This story doesn't even feel like a different book, so expect the same kind of tepid review that you got before.

Alice steps into another world through the mirror on her mantel.  Here she finds confusing poetry and giant chessboard that she must move across to become a queen.  Of course, she meets strange creatures like Tweedledum, Tweedledee and Humpty Dumpty who are completely nonsensical and obnoxious.  I would immediately go on a rampage if I met any of these characters.

Once again, there is no denying that this book is exceedingly clever for a children's story.  There are frequent references to chess, boating, and even Latin.  I am a fully grown adult and I still don't understand everything.

Definitely an outstanding children's book, but still a little too trippy for me.

RATING: ***--

Interesting Facts:

Hatta and Haigha are the counterparts to the Hatter and the March Hare from the first book.

The world in Through The Looking Glass is said to be the mirror image of Wonderland.

UP NEXT: Middlemarch by George Eliot.




3 comments:

Masanobu said...

I remember this was my favorite of the two when I was a kid, but now I can't remember much about it. I sense a reread is due!

Amanda said...

Definitely! Hopefully it won't disappoint.

Diana said...

When I was a child, I did not realize this was a separate book -- I just kept reading after I finished Alice in Wonderland. I loved both! I thought it was very strange and wonderful. When I was older, I learned some disturbing things about Lewis Carroll, but tried not to let it upset my enjoyment. It was imaginative and not like anything else I have ever read!