Books

Signed and inscribed by the translator: 'L'vu Abramovichu Kassiliu / s blagodarnostiu za schastlivye / chasy "Konduita" i "Shvambranii" / i s samymi serdechnymi / pozhelaniiami / N. Demurova / 10 ianvaria 1970 goda' [To Lev Abramovich Kassil with gratitude for happy hours with The Black Book and Scрwambrania and with the warmest wishes. N. Demurova. January 10th, 1970]. First publication of classical Russian translation by Nina Demurova. First Russian edition of both novels in one book. Lewis Carroll's works, 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' and 'Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found', were almost unknown to Russian readers until 1967, despite having been published in Russian several times.The story of how this edition came about is quite amusing. A Bulgarian publishing house issued an edition of Carroll's novels in 1965, which caught the attention of Soviet authorities in the International Book Organization, who then ordered a translation of the novels... from…

"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.