Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass are two of the most famous fantasies in world literature, yet their roots are firmly in the city of Oxford. The river Thames, the colleges and buildings have intricate connections to Lewis Carroll’s two books, from the hatters on the High Street to the dodo in the Museum of Natural History. For Lewis Carroll, who was really Charles Dodgson, was an academic at Christ Church and the little girl for whom he made up the stories was the daughter of the college Dean.
There’s a delightful new book available which shows how clearly the gorgeous city of Oxford shaped the classic books. Alice’s Oxford: People and Places that Inspired Wonderland is by Peter Hunt was published this year. It is beautifully illustrated with maps and the well-known Tenniel illustrations. The book takes us down rabbit holes in the city, along the river and into ancient buildings.
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland was first published in 1865 and has never been out of print since. It has been translated into 174 languages, has been transformed into ballets, musicals, opera, screen versions, board games, video games and even theme parks. It was loved from the very beginning. One big fan was Queen Victoria, who suggested that Lewis Carroll might like to dedicate his next book to her. She was accordingly presented with a copy of his next work – An Elementary Treatise on Determinants. Probably not quite what her Majesty was expecting! The book helped bring an end to didacticism in children’s literature – from that time it was seen as simply entertaining, rather than instructing, the young. It also entertains those no longer young – how can we not love the Cheshire Cat whose smile is the last thing to disappear, the Jabberwocky, the dormouse, the Mad Hatter, the ferocious Queen of Hearts, and Alice herself, confused, resilient and curious?
Treat yourself to a memorable ramble through one of the world’s loveliest cities in the footsteps of one of the world’s most famous characters.
Have you been to Oxford? Can you visualise Charles Dodgson telling stories to young Alice? Let me know your thoughts in a comment.
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Alice’s Oxford: People and Places that Inspired Wonderland by Peter Hunt
Susannah Fullerton: Charles Lutwidge Dodgson is born
Susannah Fullerton: Lewis Carroll first appeared
Susannah Fullerton: A Simple Story that Became a Timeless Adventure
Susannah Fullerton: Lewis Carroll tells the Alice story for the first time
British Library: ‘Alice’s Adventures Under Ground’, the original manuscript version of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
Alice in Wonderland fan page
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll read by Sir John Geilgud
Margaret Debenham
Another book I need to buy (and I’ve already run out of bookshelf space)! I’ve done several of the wonderful week-long summer courses put on by Christ Church College, Oxford, so have dined in the magnificent dining hall with its beautiful Alice stained glass window and the portrait of Charles Dodgson. And…on one occasion, before our final dinner, we were allowed to have our farewell champagne in the very private Dean’s Garden, where Alice Liddell used to play when her father was Dean of the college. Just magic!
Susannah Fullerton
Oh how special! I am envious.
Christine Stevenson
Margaret, I also had the immense pleasure of attending a summer-school at Christ Church in 2014. The course was ‘Alice’s Adventures in Oxford’ and our lecturer was the world authority on all things ‘Alice’, Edward Wakeling, now (sadly) deceased. What a magical week it was! Meals each day in the ‘Hogwarts’ dining hall, a visit to Alice and her sisters’ playroom in the deanery, croquet on the Master’s Lawn (no flamingos), morning tea in Charles Dodgson’s rooms and, as you say, champagne in the Dean’s garden. Thanks for reminding me of an unforgettable experience.