Alice is a rather curious child with a penchant for white rabbits. The main curiosity for me is how she keeps her blue and white frock spotless as she tumbles down rabbit holes, while my tights get snagged on a gentle walk to the train station. Alice acts as our sensible guide through a world of chaos, although it was definitely a gentler age. If I saw an unclaimed bottle full of liquid marked ‘Drink me’ I’d assume it was full of pee. The notion of ‘Wonderland’ made me realise how freaky it would be if proper dreams came true. The unpredictable nature of subconscious night-time slumbering is perfectly played out in Alice’s adventures – just when she thinks she has a handle on the situation it all changes - which is actually quite frightening.
As a child I bonded with Alice over the love of her cat, Dinah. What an elegant name for a cat! I also think many adult women can relate to Alice, in the way that her size keeps shrinking and expanding. The same thing happens to me with chocolate, although I’ve yet to discover which side of the bar will make me grow smaller. I keep finding the side that makes me grow bigger. In honour of Alice I’ll keep looking.
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland Published: 1865
Author: Lewis Carroll
Illustrations: Sir John Tenniel
Curious fact one: I can recite the Jabberwocky.
Curious fact two: I’m rather fond of momeraths.
Curious fact three: I get sleepy during the song ‘All in the Golden Months of June’ in the Disney cartoon of Alice.
Curious fact four: I don’t like the Mock Turtle.
Curious fact five: Me and my good friend R have been parodying ‘The Walrus and the Carpenter’ poem in birthday cards since we were teenagers.
Three A-Z Highlights!
Roza M at A day into the writer posts about Ambition
Wendy Tyler Ryan posts about A Love Rekindled
Jacqueline at Chez Mukweto posts about Amigurumi, Apples, and Answer
70 comments:
Do you know I've never read Alice in Wonderland? I must read it.
Ooo...I understand the shrinking and expanding bit well.
Ellie Garratt
I must read Alice in Wonderland, it just didnt appeal as a child, I have it on my kindle, it'll be the next to read. I can never stay clean either, probably another reason I didn't want anything to do with Alice :-)
LOL! Fun entry. I don't think I've actually read the book either. I see it as less whimsical and more as her bad dream like the black and white film version :O)
That's so funny because I never read Alice in Wonderland either. I just know the Disney movie extremely well. :-)
I'm afraid I got rather put off this book as a child, by seeing the bit of the cartoon version where she invites herself to the Mad Hatter's tea party. I'm afraid I thought she was a very ill-bred little girl. :S
Also, if someone says there's no room at their party, when there's obviously TONS of room... can the child not take a hint?? :D
However, I may be prepared to give Alice a second chance, since you vouch for her. :)
And I do like "Jabberwocky". I can recite a fair bit of it, too! I just never read the rest of the book. :D
This post amused me so much especially the drink pee assumption.
As for expanding and shirinking, well I seem to be doing more of the former and not that much of the latter! Must try harder.
Linda
Whoops, didn't mean to post that anonymously! :D
I agree! And I had a cat called Dinah - she was a pip! For my step-dot's birthday last year, I embroidered a jacket with the mad hatter...she loved it.
come on over and see how I handled A at Jan Morrison
A great reminder of a book from my childhood. Great start to the blogfest!
I've never actually read Alice in Wonderland. I remember seeing a TV special back in the 90's with the Jabberwocky and man, was that thing scary! I'll have to read the original story at some point.
Timeless Alice. I thought every child had read Alice but I guess not.Bet they'll read it now.
Manzanita
Wanna buy a duck
Your line about only finding the side of the chocolate bar that makes you grow made me smile. I love that you can recite the 'Jabberwocky'-- that poem and Dr. Seuss books are fantastic reminders to have fun with words. And you and your friend R sound like pretty cool people, I wish I had such a fun tradition!
- Sophia.
I memorised Jabberwocky as a child too, not sure why either. Great post.
regards
mood
Moody Writing Blog
Thanks for the highlight! did not even know about that. Great entry!!!
I've actually never read Alice.
This has to change!
Nice to meet you. :-)
I love Alice in wonderland. I just read the book a few months ago again. I watch the Newest movie a lot. Great Post!
Loved your curious facts!! Great post. see ya round
"If I saw an unclaimed bottle full of liquid marked ‘Drink me’ I’d assume it was full of pee." Still laughing over that one. Great post - just stopped by from the A2Z.
Grace & Peace
Alice in Wonderland is kiddo's favorite book.
can't wait to see more of the alphabet with you
http://baygirl32.blogspot.com
Great entry! I love Alice in Wonderland in all its various forms.
Stopping by on A-Z Challenge
Bev@My Reader's Block (#288 on the list)
everyone has a fasination about 'alice.. and I have done a few very fun boutique birthday parties for adults and kids... with this theme. Maybe I will post some... for W
A lovely choice of books. I have read it numerous times, and watched the cartoon as well. Have you seen the new version? I have been intrigued with holes in the trees since I watched the Johnny Dep version.
You know Roza? Well then, she's one of my best buds. Great lady and so funny. I love your pick to celebrate the letter A. Nice to meet you!
If dreams were real life would be really confusing!
Awwwww you're amazing!! You can recite the Jobberwocky!?!?!? Brilliant!!
p.s. "If I saw an unclaimed bottle full of liquid marked ‘Drink me’ I’d assume it was full of pee"
HAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHA! :-)
Take care
x
You know, I've also always been amazed (and a bit envious) how Alice keeps her blue and white dress so spotless. I can't wear white ever because it always attracts food. I think white has magnetic properties (but only for food and drink).
Oh, and about the chocolate thing, I'm pretty sure chocolate doesn't allow weight gain. I'm almost positive it's part of the cacao's magical properties.
My oldest granddaughter played the part of a playing card in *Alice In Wonderland* last night! In her Musical Theatre local production!
It was one of my favourites as a child.
Maggie X
Nuts in May
As much as I love the color picture, it is the first one in black and white that I remember from my childhood. Nice way to start the challenge.
Thanks for the mention!
My daughter has just reached an age where I think she'll appreciate Alice. Think I'll pull it off the shelf and begin reading it to her this weekend. Thanks!
Visiting from the A to Z Challenge. I look forward to reading your posts. Happy Friday! :o)
Good point- A remake of ALice in WOnderland as a horror...Hmmm...
Great minds - I have an up-coming post about Alice later in this A-Z series!
Like your notion of 'which side of the chocolate bar....' - that's where I'm going wrong then, 'cos I just eat the whole thing! ;-p
(Haven't worked out how to do a 'proper' signature yet -
http://bit.ly/esvFfJ)
"Alice" did live in a more gentle age. I did, too.
This post is beautiful. I'm looking forward to the other 25!
You had me at "If I saw an unclaimed bottle full of liquid marked ‘Drink me’ I’d assume it was full of pee."
Still smiling over that one!
Loved this! I received the new TIm Burton version of Alice for Christmas. Being too much of a purist, I had refused to see it in the theatre when it came out. What a dope I was! I'm crazy for this version and watch it at least once a week. And, funnily enough, I am learning the Jabberwocky by heart!!
Cannot wait for "B"!
Excellent post! I must read Alice in Wonderland again. There have been so many movie versions I have not revisited the text in an age.
I love Alice in Wonderland! And isn't The Walrus and the Carpenter great?
I love this book and Through the looking Glass too.
A-Z Fellow Challenger
Holly Ruggiero’sPOV
Excellent use of A. I love love LOVE Alice. :)
Happy weekend,
Lola
When you find that bar of chocolate let me know!!!
Alice seems to be a favorite, this is the third for the challenge I'm seeing. Nice post. I'm following now and look forward to the others..
If you find out which side of the chocolate makes you smaller, you MUST share. :)
Rosie
East for Green Eyes
I've always thought of Alice as a brat. Still want to see the newest movie though.
Slimming chocolate-would love that miracle in a bar!
Hi Jayne, first time visitor here. A great way to start the Challenge with a true literary classic that will forever be redone.
I never understood Alice when I read it the first time. Perhaps it is time to revisit her now that I am all grown up. This post was beautiful.
Loved your post ... love Alice, too.
OH I LOVE your comment about the chocolate bars! (I think I'll use that logic next time anyone asks me why I eat so much chocolate.
Dinah's a wonderful name for a cat. My "lady" cat is called Chanel, but before we arrived at that name, she tried on Annaliya, Cleopatra, Diana, Avonlea, Emily, Misty, Belle, and Aubrianna.
Oh wow - look at all you lovely visitors! Quick - let me lay out some glasses of champagne and the special 'Alice in Wonderland' chocolate. ;)
I've been enjoying your comments so much - thank you for stopping by!
I still have my Alice in Wonderland book from when I was a little girl. Could never part with it. Great post. Blessings, Joanne
Great post!
I always thought Alice was a total drug trip that Lewis Caroll had. It's kinda creepy.
http://www.writerscubed.com/
Hey Jayne ~~ a delightful post about a classic story ! I love your brand of humour !! Very appealing ... :)
~MICHELLE~
http://writer-in-transit.co.za/category/other/rambles-rants-and-raves/
Nice to meet you; Love the idea of chocolate shrinking us ;-D
I love the name Dinah!
One of my most treasured possessions is an early edition of Through the Looking Glass and What Alice Found There.
Wow! I don't know Alice at all. Your thoughts about Alice aren't ones I've thought of at all especially the fact that I wouldn't drink anything in a bottle with a label "drink me." I really, really liked your essay. So, I'm a new follower. Do you write like that all the time? Great.
I love Alice. I wrote a story for an American Literature class in college that wove in the romantic poets. A piece I'm very proud of and received an "A" on.
One curious fact: Supposedly, there is a bar in Philadelphia that requires you to recite the entire Jabberwocky poem to gain access. Haven't found it yet.
I love "A is for Alice." I don't think I've re-read that as an adult--I probably should. It's funny how some books you read as a child are still good as an adult, but some don't hold up.
I see from your profile that you're an editor/writer, too. I can understand the "tired superhero" feeling, though mostly I just have the "tired" part. :)
I love Frank Beddor's version of Alice in his Looking glass wars series. April 1st! It's going to be a crazy month. Good luck on A-Zeing!
Nutschell
www.thewritingnut.com
Do you like the new Alice movie? The six impossible things for breakfast line is probably my favorite takeaway from that movie. I never made it through the book - partly because of the whole creepy dreams as reality part . . . daydreams maybe, nightmares - no.
I remember reading Alice in Wonderland when I was much younger, but I agree...it would be very strange if actual dreams came true.
An interesting "A" entry! I'm now following, and looking forward to seeing more of your A-Z entries!
~Sarah
http://sarahallanauthor.blogspot.com/
Like some of the others, I haven't ever read Alice, either. Shame!
Very cleverly written post, and what an interesting angle to take-the character!
Can't wait to see what you do for 'B'!!
I enjoyed reading your post! I actually have never read the book, but my sister has recently given me a copy. I'll have to read it as soon as possible! My mouth is now watering for chocolate! Looking forward to reading your next entry!
Hmm. My sister and I have been writing parodies since we were kids. Love them. I think it accounts for part of my humor in my writing. I will be following you to see what is going on throughout the A-Z Challenge.
I've actually never read Alice, but seen so many adaptations of it. I must get around to reading it. What a good post.
A great story that many have never read. Wonderful st post.
~~Sheila
Reviewer & Writer
Book reviews and Author Interviews at my blog at http://whynotbecauseisaidso.blogspot.com/
I loved the stories of Alice when I was growing up. They were always so enchanting.
Lyn
W.I.P. It: A Writer's Journey
My favourite would have to be the white rabbit. I have my own :o)
I read Alice three times. I'm sure I'll read it again.
I have never liked Alice in wonderland, it is one of those stories that freaks me out, but honestly I have enjoyed your post.
By the way, I am also in a quest looking for that part of chocolate that makes you shrink. If I do find it, I will let you know.
I've never read 'Alice in Wonderland'. It's definitely going on my ever increasing list of books I need to read.
I've always had Alice in... on my 'must read' list but never got aroundtuit. It's going back to the top of my list now.
I enjoyed reading Alice in Wonderland. I was even in a musical called "Follow That Rabbit" where I played the Mock Turtle. It was a load of fun being in that world.
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