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Review: Alice with a Why

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Alice with a Why
By Anna James
New York: Penguin, 2026. Fiction. 240 pgs.

In 1919, in the aftermath of the first World War, Alyce is living with her grandmother in the English countryside. Her grandmother, also named Alice, tells Alyce (with a y) stories from her childhood adventures in a wonderful land filled with white rabbits and mad hatters. Alyce doesn't really believe the silly stories, she just misses her father who was killed in the war. One day, Alyce receives a mysterious invitation to tea, and subsequently falls into a pond where she is transported to Wonderland. Her grandmother, of course, is that Alice. Alyce is prompted by the Mad Hatter, Dormouse, and March Hare to seek out the Time Being and put an end to the war between the Sun King and the Queen of the Moon. Thus begins Alyce's adventure through Wonderland.

I have a certain soft spot for the original story of Alice in Wonderland. It is one of my particular favorites and I often have a hard time reading new interpretations of the classic. This book, however, holds all of the delight, whimsy, and nonsense from the original story. The clever writing and storytelling hold the original story in high regard and this book produces a valuable homage. Equally as charming as the original, but with language that may be more palatable for modern readers. This book is delightful.


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