Author(s): Annie Bullen

Gift Books

How is the world of Alice in Wonderland linked to that of the young girl who was the inspiration for this much-loved story? The words written by Charles Dodgson (whose pen-name was Lewis Carroll), an Oxford don, were based on college life, word-play and, above all, his friendship with the Liddell children - Alice and her sisters, Lorina and Edith. The Dormouse was referring to Lorina Charlotte (LC), Lacie is an anagram of Alice and Tillie was Edith's nickname. This charming little gift book links the lives of the real Alice, the daughter of the Dean of Christ Church, Oxford, and her friend, the supreme story-teller Charles Dodgson. Amongst other intrigues, the book explains the significance of the Dodo, the old turtle who 'taught us', and the treacle well, all interspersed with quotations from both Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass.