Books

London: Macmillan and Co, 1866. Second (First Published) Edition. Very good. John Tenniel. 192pp. Duodecimo [22 cm] rebound in gilt-stamped dark red morocco with raised spine bands. Binding pristine. Includes original pale blue free endpapers, now serving as flyleaves. Calligraphic ink name dated May 1st, 1866 on original front free endpaper, reinforcements to the edges of several leaves, light to moderate foxing throughout. With forty-two illustrations by John Tenniel. The first published edition, re-set from a copy of the recalled first issue. Williams, Madan, Green 46. The publication of Carroll's work appeared at a time when children's literature was produced primarily to teach moral lessons. Carroll's tale was, by contrast, wonderfully fantastical and nonsensical, and the book baffled critics at first. By the close of the 19th century, "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking Glass" had become the most popular children's books in England. Two decades…

"Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" follows the escapades of a curious young girl named Alice, who, while bored on a riverbank, spots a white rabbit in a waistcoat. She follows it down a rabbit hole and finds herself in a whimsical world. Throughout her journey, Alice encounters peculiar characters like the hookah-smoking Caterpillar, the grinning Cheshire Cat, and the Mad Hatter hosting a nonsensical tea party. She experiences a series of transformations, shrinking and growing, as she navigates through the bizarre landscapes and meets creatures like the March Hare and the Dormouse. The Queen of Hearts, with her penchant for ordering beheadings, adds a touch of absurdity to the already surreal environment. Alice grapples with the nonsensical rules of Wonderland, engaging in peculiar conversations that highlight the absurd logic of this fantastical realm. As she tries to find her way home, she faces challenges, solves riddles, and discovers that the reality of Wonderland often defies logic. Ultimately, Alice's adventures culminate in her realizing that the world she encountered was a dream. She wakes up on the riverbank, pondering the strange and wonderful events she experienced in Wonderland, leaving readers with a blend of imagination, whimsy, and thought-provoking absurdity. Carroll's tale remains a classic exploration of childhood, curiosity, and the unpredictable nature of dreams.