Chicks On Lit discussion

OK, Tim Burton/Disney is prepping a new film version of AiW, and the Syfy network has a new project going as well. All things old are new again. So, I will be reading this book again and thought we might have an impromptu topic thread. What are your thoughts on this book?

I will reread this one with you. I haven't read it in so long I forgot if and how it is different from the movies.

There is a movie? Darn, talk about spoiling all the imagination it takes when reading. This is one of my all time favorite stories.

It's one of my favorites, too. I'll join in a read.

OK! I just finished The Woman in White (finally), so am ready for a new book. Anyone want to set a date to start discussion? Or shall we free style it and just comment whenever we have an insight?

If we are reading it together, I'm in too! I love the story, but never really read the book!

Angie, I think you're the leader for this discussion, since it was your idea. Have we started yet?

Well, I'm a little embarassed to say I don't own a copy of the book! I thought I did, but can't find it anywhere; so I have to go get one. How about we start reading now and start making observations/comments in December. Let's officially start December 10th.

I'm game (I hope). Life has other plans sometimes so I don't always get to join when I want to.

I was waiting on Tim Burton's version of the Alice. Here are some images from the film (the photos are pretty big so fair warning)

Clicky photo goodness

I don't usually dig on original films from SyFy (or whatever they are calling themselves lately), but it has Kathy Bates, so I'm going to give it a whirl.

Hey, Chicks, who is ready to discuss Alice? I have a version that includes "Through the Looking Glass" but I think we'll limit this discussion to "Alice in Wonderland" for now, OK?

It seems that "Alice" was/is one of the first books for children that was considered strictly entertainment rather than instructive. Do you feel Alice is not instructive? What can children learn from this story?

The story starts with Alice feeling bored. Are you ever bored and how do you react to that?

What were your impressions of the story overall? Were there any surprises, if you hadn't read the book before, compared to the different media presentations of the story (Disney version, etc.)?

Any thoughts on the Eat Me, Drink Me, mushroom substances? Is a children's story the appropriate place to discuss mood altering substances?

That's a good point, and I did a tiny bit of research to see if the sheltered Rev. Dodgson could even have known about hallucinogenic (sp?) mushrooms, and as it turns out, he might have. I guess that if he did, he was fairly certain that the children of his day would not, and therefore look at the magic substances in his story as just that, magic, and nothing more.

I did read Alice in Wonderland in 2009 and it was a trip. I remember reading it to compare with the Disney animated version. I understand Disney's choices.

It's hard to comment on the Disney-Burton film and SyFy versions b/c they combine storylines from both Alice books.

You're welcome to bring in "Through the Looking Glass" comments if you'd like. I was under a time crunch and decided to just do Wonderland, but it's not like the discussion is going to get confusing! :)

Tanja, could you elaborate a little on the choices Disney made compared to the original? What are your thoughts on his choices?

Did anyone like that SyFy version? Although I found parts of it entertaining and imaginative, on the whole I consider it four hours of my life I'll never get back.

The SyFy version was entertaining at least. I liked Tin Man better for the channel's interpretation of a "sequel" to a beloved classic. The Tea Houses were intriguing and I'd love to ride on a flamingo. But I found the romance to be contrived. *shrugs* I was doing other tasks while watching the series so I'm not at all upset about losing any time.

Disney didn't have the race which is featured at the beginning of the novel. Jaberwocky isn't there. I don't at all recall the whole baby and pig bit in the Disney version either. I forget if the flowers sniffing Alice (in Disney) was in the first book. Hrmm. Oh and unbirthday.

I think the unbirthday was an excuse for a song in the Disney version. As I recall, the tea party was just that, an ongoing tea party, for no special occasion.

The unbirthday is from Through the Looking Glass: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unbirthday

Thanks, Marsha!

Hmm. So the Disney animated version did combine the two books in a way. I should read the 2nd one to have a better idea of the differences. I wonder if someone tracked it on the web.

*goes to look*

http://www.alice-in-wonderland.net/fo...

http://aliceproject7.wordpress.com/20...

Tanja, thanks for the links; they had some good information. So, is this book on your top list of books to recommend to anyone? Is it one all literate English speakers should be able to say they have read?

Absolutely.

Yes. A person should read both! ^.^

For those reading any of the Alice in Wonderland books, I just learned about this new book, based on the life of the real Alice.
Alice I Have Been: A Novel
Might be interesting to read this along with the others too. :o)

I've heard about that book. Most liked it.

That sounds interesting; thanks for the tip!

I loved the Disney movie when I was little and have been meaning to read the book for years but never got around to it. I'm excited because I love books that say one thing but really mean another and comment on society in what seems to be playful writing. I think the new movie with Johnny Depp is going to be a bit odd but I am excited to see it.

For anyone who is interested, you can download the e-book for free from feedbooks.com.

Okay, I read this thread, then went to the library and got the Disney movie to watch again today. I hadn't seen it since it came out. Sooo don't love it. I just felt creeped out this time watching, especially watching her crawl into and fall down the rabbit hole, then be trapped in the room with the tiny door. I felt this crazy sense of anxiety and claustrophobia. Seeing the stills from the new movie makes me want to avoid it.

Brenda wrote: "Sheila wrote: "For those reading any of the Alice in Wonderland books, I just learned about this new book, based on the life of the real Alice.
Alice I Have Been: A Novel
Might be in..."

oh wow! i just finished listening to both Alice and Through the Looking Glass. (Michael York narrated Alice... way too good!) What an interesting looking novel and all the reviews are very positive... thanks for mentioning it!!

Oooh, I love Michael York's voice. I will have to look for that audiobook.

I just finished Alice in Wonderland and am in the middle of Through the Looking Glass. I also saw a 3-D preview for the Tim Burton film and it was stunning. It does not look like it is geared towards young children.

The one thing that bothers me so far about both books as how many times Alice is referred to as stupid. Does this bother anyone else or is it just me??

Tiffany wrote: "I just finished Alice in Wonderland and am in the middle of Through the Looking Glass. I also saw a 3-D preview for the Tim Burton film and it was stunning. It does not look like it is geared towar..."

That is an excellent observation; I can't say I noticed it while I was reading, but now that you mentioni it...I remember her reactions were not wimpey, though. She held onto her self esteem and plowed forward. Sometimes she even got angry at how dumb she thought they were!

I always thought that the characters who called her stupid were just showing how stupid they actually were. Alice was always quite clever.

Marsha wrote: "I always thought that the characters who called her stupid were just showing how stupid they actually were. Alice was always quite clever."

yes, I agree, and since this story was written for a girl the author knew, perhaps he was subtly imparting a lesson about staying confident in the midst of ignorance. Do you ever doubt your own opinion in the face of prevailing wisdom? Sometimes we have to just stick with our point of view. But, sometimes reflection brings adjustment to our views. I like to think I examine my point of view periodically to see if I'm still on the right course. Often I am, but once in awhile I have to make course adjustments.

If u download Stanza for your iPhone/iTouch or just your ome comouter, you get a free copy of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.....I have come acoss many sites that allow you to download free classic e-books. Just do a google search.