Hello there! Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers!
I hope that your week is off to a great start and only continues to get better with each passing moment. Today's post is a rather unique look at a book held dear in the hearts of many readers round the world as well as a multitude of movie goers! Why is a raven like a writing desk? I haven't the slightest idea, but perhaps the folks who wrote this book do! Today's book of choice is....
Curiouser and Curiouser
by
William Irwin and Richard Brian Davis
An interesting look at the classic tale of Alice in Wonderland through the discerning lense of philosophy, this book is in a class all its own. For anyone that ever wondered where the White Rabbit was REALLY going, or if he was simply a representation of something more dark and sinister from our everyday society...fall down the infamous hole in search of a deeper understanding of this fantastical tale.
So, confession time, I went into this book with two things on my mind. First and foremost, the new Alice in Wonderland movie just came out a few weeks ago and yeah, I was curious about what hidden messages were being seen beyond the garden green foliage walls of the Queen's court. Second, the one author (Davis) is a professor at a college near my original hometown and I was intrigued to see what they felt should be put on display for the masses in this uniquely titled book. Boy did I not realize the magnitude of what I was walking into....something akin to Alice coming upon the unique game of croquet played by the Red Queen....flamingos and all.
While a myriad of the magical aspects of the story are delved into, it was a bit too much for my liking. Some of the analogies drawn were more common in nature and highly entertaining not only to read, but to consider....such as the jam yesterday-jam tomorrow-but-never-jam-today situation. (Trust me, if you read this chapter, although you may have to be a bit related to the Mad Hatter to follow, it definitely rings true.) On the other side of the coin, another section deals with the nuclear strategists and how Alice's word games in Wonderland are akin to the "games" played in times of war....not really something I would have been contemplating when reading the book or watching the movie. As a lover of the original tale, my eye was drawn to this to see what might exist behind the allusions and madness....but as it turns out, some things (at least for this reader) are better left in the realm of fantasy unless one desires a little madness of their own.
Review copy courtesy of Julie at FSB Associates. (THANK YOU) For more information, feel free to follow any of the links within this review. (Trust me....you won't end up falling down a mysterious rabbit hole...but you may end up exploring a new site filled with wondrous things. Just avoid any smoking caterpillars....)
Not my usual choice of read but I've ordered it as a present so will no doubt get to read it at some point or other though, like yourself, I think I'll probably find it a bit much and expect a lot of it will go over my head.
ReplyDeleteDoesn't sound like one for me but thank you for the awesome review.
ReplyDeletegreat image of the (snape) caterpillar ;-D i'll be reading this one soon which is not the usual kind of read for me too. it will be interesting to see what tidbits i get from it.
ReplyDeletePetty Witter: Yes, it's just one of those books that although outside the normal scope of your reading, it calls to you. Love to know what you think if you get to read it before gifting! ^_^
ReplyDeleteJuju: Thanks Juju!
vvb32: Yes, he was rather uniquely depicted in the new movie, had to share. Can't wait to see your take on it...
It sounds really interesting...and your review made me even more curious to read it. Great review! We still haven't been able to snag a babysitter to see the movie (maybe next weekend), but I may have to read this one soon. Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteGood review,but not for me.
ReplyDeleteI think it sounds awesome! I really need to read Alice in Wonderland though... AND see the new movie!
ReplyDeleteGreat review! This sounds like an interesting book to read. I've always though Alice wasn't really a children's book.
ReplyDeleteThe1stdaughter: LOL. Hopefully you'll get to see it soon!
ReplyDeleteTribute Books: Understand completely. Thanks for checking out my review though!
Aye.Me? Yes, you should definitely read it first....and see the movie! (Both a loads of fun...)
NotNessie: Your theories are shared by this group for certain! Definitely puting the adult spin on what many of us view as merely child-like imagination.