bermudaonion (Kathy)
Sandy
Beth F
Lisa
S. Krishna
Alice I Have Been – Book Review and Giveaway
Alice I Have Been by Melanie Benjamin
Alice Pleasance Liddell was the daughter of Dean and Mrs. Liddell. She and her three sisters were the veritable princesses of Oxford in the mid-1800s. Young girls were a bit of an oddity at Oxford at that time, students and faculty were all male. This is not to say that the girls never had anyone to socialize with. On the contrary, they spent a good deal of time with Mr. Charles Dodgeson, a mathematics professor who had published a few stories under the name Lewis Carroll.
Dodgeson had a habit of telling fantastical stories to the girls while they were out on their adventures. One day, he named the female protagonist of one of the stories Alice, and Alice Liddell begged him to write it down. That much is accepted historical fact; that and his obsession with photography of children. We do know that sometime after that day, the Liddell family broke off relations with Dodgeson, who removed the pages corresponding with that time from his journal. All of his letters to Alice were burned by her family. What is not truly known, is what happened between Alice and Dodgeson to cause such a break, which is where the power and mystery comes into Benjamin’s story.
The book was beautifully written, but initially I found myself wondering why exactly I should care about this story. I still don’t know, in the abstract, why I should care about Alice Pleasance Liddell, but I do know that I care very deeply about what happened to the Alice Liddell of Benjamin’s story. Early on in the book there was a strong sense of something being not quite right with Dodgeson, and with his relationship with the girls. No accusations were made, but there was a definite suggestion to the modern reader of pedophilia, enough that I was highly uncomfortable whenever the girls were alone with him. Then, suddenly, we jump to the time after the break between Dodgeson and the Liddells, not knowing for the longest time exactly what happened.
It was initially this question of what happened that kept me reading. However, as Alice grew up, so did her voice mature as she told her story. I frequently lost myself in Alice’s life, forgetting that this was a work of fiction because her voice was so believable. The writing was fantastic and the character development of Alice Liddell was fantastic.
I sort of wish I had read this back in 2009, because then I would have had the satisfaction of placing it right away on my ‘best of the year’ list.
Buy this book from:
Powells.*
A local independent bookstore via Indiebound.*
Amazon.*
This review was done with a book received from the publisher.
* These links are all affiliate links. If you buy your book here I’ll make a very small amount of money that goes towards hosting, giveaways, etc.
Okay, so I REALLY REALLY REALLY loved this book. The writing was just lovely, and the story was so interesting, particularly once Alice began to grow up. I decided that I love this book so much, I want my own copy. And then I found out that Melanie Benjamin is going to be at a relatively local indie bookstore at the end of the month for an event, so I can get a *signed* copy. Well, I sent her a message, and she said she’d be glad to sign my ARC as well, so I’m going to have her sign it for one of YOU. Just fill out this Google form by midnight central time on January 21st, and you’ll be entered to win. I’ll email the winner and get his or her address and who they want the book inscribed to. You need to leave me your name, email, blog (if you have one), and favorite childhood story.
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Please leave some comment love! 27 comments
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How cool that you will get to meet the author! I have been wanting to read this book for awhile, so I entered your contest. I have read nothing but wonderful things about this book.
.-= Stephanie´s last blog ..Book Review: Ethan Frome =-.
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Oh this books, Alice I have been, sounds right up my alley. I would love to win this book in the giveaway; and i would love to read it. Sounds like it was a definate hit with you. Have a great day!
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Oh, I love Alice in Wonderland! And, I love Oxford!
This sounds like just the book for me. Thanks for reviewing it.
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I’m always entering your giveaways! Still, can’t pass up a chance to win this one, it sounds so amazing.
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Great review. I’ve wondered about this book and now I’ll wonder no more. I’ve entered the contest and have my fingers crossed. Otherwise it will be on my list of books to buy this year. It sounds fantastic!
.-= Literate Housewife´s last blog ..#228 ~ The Heretic Queen (mini review) =-.
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I saw Swapna’s review of this a few days ago and I was hooked – now between the two of you, I REALLY want to read this one. And it really isn’t something that I would have ever picked up on my own … go figure!
.-= Heather J.´s last blog ..Half Broke Horses =-.
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I’ve been reading nothing but glowing reviews of the books, so I’m really going to have to check it out. Thanks for the review and the fabulous contest.
.-= Ryan´s last blog ..Word Verification Balderdash =-.
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Added the book to my hold-list.
And I can’t believe you tried to make me pick a favorite childhood book! Yikes! (Sorry…I had to choose three!)
.-= Katie´s last blog ..bloggiesta: wrap-up post! =-.
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I know, I saw Swapna’s review as well, and I’m highly intrigued! Sounds like there were some hinky things going on there between him and the kids!
.-= Sandy´s last blog ..What I know: Uncommon wisdom and universal truths from 10-year-olds and 100-year-olds – Roger Emerson Fishman =-.
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Gosh, I’ve heard so many good things on here! I wasn’t sure I was interested due to Sandy’s comment above- the relationship with the kids. Plus, I don’t know the Alice story that well. But clearly, that shouldn’t hold me back!
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How lucky you get to meet the author and how cool that she’s willing to sign the book.
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I think that this is probably the third or fourth glowing review that I have read of this book. I can’t wait to read it! Glad that you enjoyed it so much and will get to meet the author. How exciting. I love historical fictional accounts of real people.
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I am totally on board with the uncomfortableness despite there not being anything overt or explicit in the first part of the book. Also, have you looked at a higher-resolution version of the picture of 7-year-old Alice? It’s even more provoking than the version of the book.
.-= Fyrefly´s last blog ..Carrie Jones – Need =-.
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I entered! I am dying to read this book. Everyone seems to love it!
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Thanks so much for offering up this book as a giveaway! That’s so cool that you’re going to meet Melanie. My entry is in!
Laura Hartness
The Calico Critic
CalicoCritic at gmail dot com
.-= Laura Hartness´s last blog ..Book Review and Giveaway: The Gospel According to Lost by Chris Seay =-.
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I’ve entered. Thanks for offering this giveaway.
This sounds really good. I hope that I win.
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It sounds like this book is going to be huge! Every review I’ve read makes it sound so good!
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I really really loved this book! I’m so glad it’s getting so much coverage now that it’s on sale this week. Whoever wins this giveaway will be pleased, indeed.
.-= A Bookshelf Monstrosity´s last blog ..Waiting on Wednesday =-.
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I can not WAIT to read this book! I love the cover and I love your review.
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What a great review! Now I am even more excited to read this book at some point and thank you so much for hosting a giveaway!
.-= Amused´s last blog ..Flapper? Or Not a Flapper? =-.
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Great review. I love how excited you are about it so I’m entering the contest too!
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I’ve seen this around but haven’t taken the time to fully read the synopsis or look into it. I’ love all things Alice so I’ll have to give it a shot. Thanks for the review!
.-= Pam´s last blog ..BTT: Preludes =-.
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My favorite childhood story was The Velveteen Rabbit. My mother used to read it to me all the time.
Your excitment about this book has spread to me. I had not heard of this book before your review, but now I am very interested. Thank you for this giveaway.
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I would love to be entered in your giveaway for this book. It looks so good! My favorite or rather ONE of my favorite childhood books was “Little Women”. Also enjoyed “Heidi” and “Tom Sawyer”.
Sandee61
Muzzley56[at]aol[dot]com
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What a great review! I know I just have to read this one, as everything I have heard so far makes me thing I would enjoy it. I’m not sure if the contest in international (I’m in Canada) but I entered it just in case
.-= Kay´s last blog ..Filling the shelf – 13 =-.
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This is definitely on my list of Wanna Reads this year! I resisted putting “Alice” as my childhood read, though it was read many times
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Yay! So glad you loved this one too!
.-= S. Krishna´s last blog ..The Kingdom of Ohio – Matthew Flaming =-.
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