Reviews - The Annotated Alice

The Annotated Alice by Martin Gardner, John N. Gardner, Lewis Carroll

5.46k reviews for:

In 2022-2023, I embarked on reading a bunch of classics. I read this during a medical emergency where I was bedridden for about a month and in the hospital waiting for checkups. Thankfully, I am now recovered, but I still remember the wacky adventure this book brought me on. I saw Tim Burton's movie first and adored it as a teen. Now, I'm seeing where the inspiration came from. This book is filled with interesting what-ifs and surprises, and cute little characters. It has a beautiful Victorian backdrop and Alice as a character was so refreshing to follow. There were some slow, boring sections and older words I had to search up, but overall a fun read. Not everything had a reason to be there, just for a what the heck, why not kind of feeling. Some parts were confusing, but after re-reading the sentences I was able to get it, but that might be due to the period it was written in. To wrap up, one can see why it's considered a timeless classic.

devon_p's review against another edition

2.0

It just wasn't for me.

I couldn't even bring myself to read Through the Looking Glass I'm afraid.

anniiikaa's review against another edition

3.0

a little too "not plot just vibes" for me, I fear

entrancedbywords's review against another edition

4.0

challenging fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I believe I've owned a copy of this book since it's release when the movie came out, though I highly doubt I've read it. In all honesty I'm a sucker for movie books, especially if it's movies I like.

Even though I've seen almost every alice in wonderland adaptation, including Burton's one. I've probably read variety's of Alice in Wonderland over the years too.

This one feels slightly different, not doubt each adaptation of Alice in Wonderland has their own twist, even though this relates to the 2010 film, the book seems slightly darker.

Sure, the matching film was dark too, but something about this just sees darker..somehow.

Oddly enough unlike many books turned movies, this is the first one I couldn't see the movie play in my head.

evamalinterese's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous funny mysterious medium-paced

annisavo's review against another edition

3.5

adventurous lighthearted medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: N/A

streator's review against another edition

5.0

Read this for my book group. I chose this version because I hoped that having Alice annotated would allow me to get more out of the story. And I am happy to say I was RIGHT! Even though this book was published in 1960, it was still most illuminating. And having both Alice in Wonderland AND Through the Looking Glass in one book was an added bonus. Highly recommended!