A review by nmcannon
Alice by Christina Henry

challenging dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland and its sequel Alice Through the Looking Glass are favorites of mine. When an adaptation comes along, the temptation to sharpen my teeth on its pages is real. That’s how Alice found its way onto my bookshelf. Though the technical skill and imagery are well done, my boredom with suffering and violence interfered with me enjoying Christina Henry’s Wonderland remix.

Dirty and tangled, Alice struggles to hold onto the fractured pieces of her mind. She knows she’s in prison. She knows she’s near a river. She knows she can trust Hatcher, her fellow inmate. When the prison catches fire and Hatcher offers to swim her across the river to freedom, she takes his hand. Together, they set out to find shelter and the missing pieces of their memories, all while pursued by the White Rabbit and various Wonderland-ish oogie boogies.

Henry’s brutal, bloody remix seems heavily influenced by American McGee’s Alice video games series. Hatcher and Alice arrive at various fantastical set pieces and have to beat or outsmart the creatures they find there. Alice is older and surprised to find "Wonderland" so changed. We’re drenched in a grime-y goth Victornia aesthetic with the slightest neon touch of Hot Topic. As you may guess from the premise, mental health, deceptive appearances, and reclamation are big themes. As other reviews mention, sex trafficking and rape are discussed topics. While I’m fine with violent remixes of Alice in Wonderland, the gore has to be pointed to be satisfying. Alice in the Country of Hearts and “Alice of Human Sacrifice” have plenty of disturbing imagery, but the aberrations comment on the otome genre and the perils of ignoring reality/being trapped in a dream. Thematically, Alice asks if the reader is aware that sex trafficking and rape exist. Yes. Pain is boring. Let’s move on. This shallow messaging contrasted sharply with Henry's serious technical chops. Henry’s craft is brilliant, and the mystery unraveled with prowess. Though I was bored with what they were finding out, Alice and Hatcher are compelling characters, drawn with curious, blood-drenched lines.

I’m not interested in pursuing the series, but I suppose I have another Carroll remix notch in my belt. Cool. If you’re looking for an adult version of The Looking Glass Wars or a book version of American McGee’s video game, Henry’s Alice has your back.

For reference, the game trailer for American McGee’s Alice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fg4FG0kCMBU and American McGee’s Alice: Madness Returns: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFrs5UGB-ns

The song “Alice of Human Sacrifice” with an English dub: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fduXL0TOt_c