Thursday, November 1, 2007

Revisit the Magic

For those of you who have somehow made it through to adulthood without having read Alice in Wonderland at least once, pay close attention to the following public announcement:

READ IT

No. The movie does not count. Sorry.

For those of you who have already read it, read it again. It's one of those magical children's books which only become richer and more flavorful with age(think Dr. Seuss). The fanciful, nonsensical style and colorful characters may appeal to the younger set, but the true brilliance of the book is only apparent to the more mature and emotionally developed who can see beyond the surface to the beauty and wit beneath. I laughed regularly through my third reading, sometimes out loud. I was awed. I was pulled in. I felt that warm, fuzzy feeling akin to happiness that only certain books can produce. I'm in love. And I want to share that love, so please, revisit the magic.

6 comments:

SJ said...

I just re-read Alice for my children's lit class, and it was truly enjoyable. I loved it when I was young, too.

I know what you mean about being in love with certain books...it's one of the most wonderful feelings. And may I just mention that we have scarily similar taste...Pride and Prejudice and Anne of Green Gables are two of my all-time favorite books, and I love Oscar Wilde too.

Madd Hatter said...

SJ- I compliment you on your excellent choice of reading materials. despite my desperate need to be unique, I love meeting ppl. who like the same things I do :)

the apple said...

You sound like you should be an English major, if you aren't already!

The chaos of Alice in Wonderland can be a bit much at times, but I agree that the book is richer and more meaningful for adults than children. Lewis Carroll does so much with language and puns and parodies - it's really fantastic.

corner point said...

I know exactly what you mean about appreciating books on a different level as an adult. I am a big advocate for re-reading books (maybe because I read so many good ones when I was so young and thus missed out on so much of the richness and detail) and I think besides for a few exceptions, young adult and children's books are my favorites.

I dunno, though...Alice was not my favorite by a far cry. Maybe I just didn't understand it as well as you seem to. I never would have thought of it as deep...

What else do you like to read?

Ezzie said...

I reread Alice recently; I think it was Sukkos time in Cleveland. It may actually have been the first time I've read it. It was... interesting. I couldn't help thinking "THIS is a KIDS' book!?" The implied references just struck me as a little... off. Ya know?

But maybe I should give it another shot. :)

Erachet said...

ALICE IN WONDERLAND IS ONE OF MY MOST FAVORITE BOOKS EVER. I read it when I was ten for a book report in school and I LOVED it and I just reread it for a children's lit. class. It's such an awesome book.

Now, have you ever read The Hobbit? Another book I'm in love with.