Sometimes I like to read books I know will depress me. It’s a weird habit, but something which keeps me in touch with my empathetic side. I found Alice I Have Been by Melanie Benjamin to be a heartbreaking novel. Alice I Have Been follows the life of Alice Liddell, the real life Alice In Wonderland.
The novel has a Victorian feel to it, so for those of you who hanker for cameo brooches and tea time and manners, you will feel like you’ve stepped into the novel of your dreams. The dialogue had the potential to be very clunky, but it wasn’t. I got used to the “I do so”s after reading a few pages in.
For those who may be concerned, this book wasn’t Victorian Lolita. The whole plot was not centered around Alice’s seduction of Mr. Dodgson (Lewis Carroll). Rather, we see the relationship through the eyes of a little girl who has little understanding of sexuality. I liked that this book went beyond her relationship with Dodgson. Alice was not an eternal seven year old, her life went beyond Wonderland, and it was fascinating to see that.
Overall, for a first book, I felt Alice I Have Been was well-written, emotional, and a wonderful way to while away a hot summer afternoon, or a particularly rainy day. While reading this book, I suggest you do as the Victorian ladies did and drink tea. When I read this book I had the joy of drinking blueberry tea, it’s sweet, delicious and really helped me feel I was within the midsts of Victorian England.
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Fantastic review, April. I just loooooove the cover of this book and will definitely have it on my TBR list.
Great review! And The cover is beautiful. I should add this one to my wishlist. (I'll make sure I have some blueberry tea). 🙂
Awesome review! this books looks really good. I'll def. go check it out 😀
Good review 🙂 Blueberry tea… never had it! It sounds sweet though.
-Briana
Great review!
Great review! Love how you were drinking tea while you read, lol.
What a huge task to take on as a first time writer.. can't wait to read this! (have you seen my alice in wonderland challenge? this is one of the books on there!)
great review!
I read this when you posted it on Goodreads, and immediately marked it as to read. I love the blueberry tea suggestion. I've never actually had blueberry tea, but it sounds delicious and it complements the cover.
I'm looking forward to this one now!
Sounds like a interesting book.
"For those who may be concerned, this book wasn't Victorian Lolita."
Hehe, this made my day! 🙂
I cannot WAIT to read this book.
This sounds fascinating! I love anything that has to do with Alice in Wonderland!
You know, I had never heard of this book before visiting this review…and now I'm desperate to read it.
fab work, love.
I'm reading this at the moment and am having a hard time staying with it. I found your blog poking around the internet. I'll keep at it and hopefully Alice will grow on me.
I like the points you made.
this does sound like a good read with your description. glad to hear of Alice's growth. and, i'll definitely get some blueberry tea when i read this.