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Book Review & Giveaway: Alice I Have Been by Melanie Benjamin

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Imagine my surprise when I learned that Alice from Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll was actually a real person, not just the fairy tale I had always imagined it to be. Well it’s true and in Melanie Benjamin’s fantastic work of historical fiction, Alice I Have Been, we are given a great story that weaves fact with fiction about the real life of Alice Pleasance Hargreaves.

The story begins as Alice, eighty years old now, is reminiscing about her past and what a life she’s had! Not for the first time in all of her years does Alice think to herself that she wishes she was known to the world for herself instead of just ‘Alice’ – she’s always wondered which was the real Alice and which was the pretend Alice.

It’s 1859 in Oxford and Alice was seven years old and quite a handful. She wasn’t the typical girl of the times; she liked to be a little more troublesome than that. Alice was used to a life of privilege life as her father was the Dean of Christ Church yet it was really her mother who ran things. A mother that Alice can’t seem to make happy and who Alice has a rocky relationship with her whole life.

Mr. Dodgson (Lewis Carroll) had been in Alice’s life from the time she was a little girl. Mr. Dodgson would take Alice and her sisters Ina and Edith walking, rowing, or he could be found taking pictures of them. It seemed Mr. Dodgson had a hankering for taking pictures of young girls and this is a fact. In truth, I found that very creepy. While he never did anything inappropriate with the girls (that we know of) he did only photograph young girls and as seen in the picture below, it seems quite inappropriate for that time or even now when considering Alice is only seven years old in this picture. For Alice she views Mr. Dodgson as a friend, however as she grows older I think it was much more of a crush which isn’t odd for a young girl. What’s odd is an adult taking advantage of it. I will say that the author portrays this relationship, while disturbing, with grace.


On one such day that Mr. Dodgson takes the girls on an outing he tells them the story of Alice. Alice recognizes herself in this story and after this day constantly badgers Mr. Dodgson to write it down for her which he eventually does and which ultimately becomes Alice in Wonderland. Somewhere along the line it got back to Alice’s parents that the relationship between Alice and Mr. Dodgson seemed entirely inappropriate and it was brought to a halt. It is obvious that something big occurred to bring about this change but in this story and in history it’s not known exactly what happened. Alice, nor her sisters, were allowed any more contact with Mr. Dodgson.

Alice’s life goes on from this point. She grows up and meets what seems to be the love of her life in Prince Leopold. It even seems as though there will be a break from tradition and they will be allowed to marry. Unfortunately for Alice, her past comes back to haunt her and she is separated from Leopold; something that breaks her heart. Eventually a man, Reginald Hargreaves, sees past the whole Alice in Wonderland persona, and sees Alice for who she is and they marry. They go on to have three sons and a wonderful life but Alice always pines for Leopold, even going as far as naming one of her sons for him.

Later in her life after many hardships Alice realizes just what she had in her husband Regi; the one man who accepted her for being just ‘Alice’, while everyone else in her life always compared her to Alice in Wonderland.

This is such a well written and beautiful book. It’s really difficult to portray one’s thoughts about it in a few paragraphs because it’s such a complex and rich story. It’s really one worth reading and you will find yourself becoming invested in Alice’s life and caring about this woman who you hadn’t known before this point as anything other than Alice in Wonderland – a fairy tale. She was a real woman with real hopes and dreams who at times had her life shattered but was strong enough to always build herself back up.

I read Alice I Have Been by Melanie Benjamin for her book tour with Pump Up Your Book. You can purchase Alice I Have Been by Melanie Benjamin here in the US and here in Canada. Be sure to check out Melanie’s website as well!


My Thanks… to Pump Up Your Book for my review copy of Alice I Have Been by Melanie Benjamin.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

I have one copy of Alice I Have Been by Melanie Benjamin up for giveaway courtesy of Cheryl with Pump Up Your Book and the publisher Random House.

To enter just leave me a comment telling me what your favorite fairy tale is. Be sure to leave me a way to contact you as well.

This giveaway is open to US & Canadian residents only and I will draw for the winner on Sunday, February 7, 2010. Good luck everyone!

Darlene

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  1. This book sounds wonderful. I have read nothing but great reviews. I have always loved the story of Sleeping Beauty, but I adored the Disney Alice and Wonderland as a kid. I would love to win this book. Thanks so much for the great review and giveaway opportunity.

    dolleygurl[at]hotmail[dot]com

  2. I really do want to read this one. I knew Alice was a real girl as there has been documentaries on it over here in England.

  3. Funny you should be giving this book away regaurding Alice,,as I am reading Alice in wonderfland now,,as a reading Challenge,,to read a Author thats birthday is that month and Jan is Lewis Carrol birthday month,,as a Fairy Tale so far it is my favorite,,all the adventures Alice goes thru..please put my name in for the drawing..thanks again..
    Devon
    hanna_563 at msn dot com

  4. I'd love to read this one. I've always loved the Alice books. Although, as a child, my favorite fairy tale was "The Princess and the Pea." I always used to like to think I was a princess in disguise, too!

    Thanks for the review and the giveaway.
    jlshall[at]comcast[dot]net

  5. Hmmmm, is Thumbalina a fairy tale? I always liked that.

    And I must say I had the same reaction as you, I didn't realize that Alice was based on a real girl. I would love to read this.

    seknobloch(at)gmail(dot)com

  7. My personal favorite fairy tale is Disney's retelling of Beauty and the Beast. The original story (which, I believe, is one of the Grimm Fairy Tales) is kind of terrifying; the Disney version gives me a big library to drool over. 🙂

    baileythebookworm at gmail dot com

  8. I can't believe I missed this tour! Please enter me in the drawing.

    Ok for the question….my favorite fairy tale is "The Wild Swans" by Hans Christen Anderson because I read the remake by Zoe Marriott which was excellent "The Swan Kingdom" If you like the remakes I would check it out. It's great.

    ksg_amg(at)yahoo.com
    http://thecajunbooklady.blogspot.com/

  9. Everything I've read and heard about this book makes me want to read it. Thanks so much for the giveaway. My favorite fairy tale is Cinderella.

  10. Alice in Wonderland is actually one of my favorites. I have an edition of the book from the early 1950s that was my moms…

    reneesuz82(at)msn(dot)com

  11. I have heard such positive reviews about this book! You always have such great giveaways!

    sleepingbette[at]yahoo[dot]com

  12. I keep hearing so many great things about this book and I would love to read it.

    My favorite fairy tale is Disney's Beauty and the Beast.

    angela.donner (at) gmail.com

  13. Well, do I have to pick just one? I guess it would be The Gift of the Magi if you would consider that a fairy tale. Even though it is a love story, it always made me angry that they both ended up with something useless. I just didn't understand love as a child.

    My second one would be The Owl and the Pussy Cat.

  14. Your review was so beautifully done Dar. No need to enter me; i've read this one and loved it as well.

  15. I really didn't know much about Alice in Wonderland…but would love to read this book and see what her life was like!!

    My favorite fairy tale is…Snow White. Love that story.

    ktulanko AT aol DOT com

  18. This sounds like a wonderful story. My favorite fairy tale is beauty and the beast. Thanks for the great giveaway.

    bc428(at)juno(dot)com

  19. I would have to say that my favorite fairy tale is Cinderella. I'm just a sucker for a prince with the one glass slipper!
    joannelong74 AT gmail DOT com

  20. Your review is great. I would lve to win a copy of this book. My favorite fairy tale, that's a tough choice as I really enjoyed them all. I would say Sleeping Beauty was a favorite. Thanks for the opportunity.

    bthgordon at yahoo dot com

  22. My favorite fairy tale is Rapunzel, and I adore the retelling by Shannon Hale (Rapunzel's Revenge).

    Thanks!

    nomadreaderblog (at) g mail

    Also, you're drawing the winner on my wedding day, so I hope that fairy tale day helps:-)

  23. I have seen many great reviews for this book. It sounds fascinating.

    As for fairy tales, I'm a Cinderella girl!

    jgbeads(at)gmail(dot)com

  25. Actually I knew that Alice existed, and also that Lewis Carroll took a rather unpleasant interest in very young girls (I have taught the book some years ago).

    Fascinating post, especially the picture which I have never seen before.

  28. Mine is Little Red Riding Hood, I guess thats why my favorite genre to is the Paranormal. Enjoy werewolf reads!

  29. As a child I always enjoyed Cinderella, but I think my favorite is Sleeping Beauty. I love that evil queen, she's scary!

    bacarleton at gmail dot com

  30. My favorite fairy tale has always been Snow White. I am obsessed with anything Alice in Wonderland though, so I would love to be entered for this contest!

    xxsquigglesxx(at)gmail(dot)com

  31. I really want to read this!

    I love fairy tales, it's so hard to pick a favourite but one of my favs is the *original* Sleeping Beauty by Perrault which continues on after she marries the prince and she finds out her mother in law is an ogress.

  32. I would love to read Alice I Have Been. My favorite fairy tale is Beauty and the Beast. I do keep a copy of Alice in Wonderland on my shelf to reread from time to time.

    teakettle58atyahoodotcom

  34. My favourite fairytale has always been Cinderella. I loved it when I was a young girl and felt so "ordinary". I no longer feel that way but it's a wonderful fantastical story.
    wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

  38. I have heard so much about this book and would love to win it! Great review. Favorite fairy tale..hmm, I guess The Little Mermaid.

    kdhaney AT gmail DOT com

  39. this sounds wonderful, and what a beautiful cover.
    I didnt know Alice was based on a true person.
    please enter me, thanks
    naidascrochetATyahoo.com

    my favorite fairy tale is The Little Mermaid, the original one that Hans Christian Anderson wrote.
    http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/

  40. Great review! Until I read the synopsis of this book, I had no idea that Alice was a real woman either! I would love a chance to win this book, so please enter me in this giveaway! To answer the question, my favorite fairy tale is Rapunzel, definitely Rapunzel.

    zibilee(at)figearo(dot)net

  43. Makes me want to go re-read Alice in Wonderland, while waiting to read Benjamin's! Sounds great.
    I always liked the fairy tale about the sisters, Snow White and Rose Red. Thanks.
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

  44. This one sounds fascinating. It's interesting to think that if the same situation occurred today, we probably wouldn't have Alice in Wonderland because Dodgeson would be in jail!

  46. This book sounds so great. I'd love to win it.

    My favorite fairy tale is The Little Mermaid, even though the original version is pretty violent

    michellemsherman(at)gmail(dot)com

  48. My favourite fairy tale would have to be Andersen's Emperor's Nightingale.
    Thank you for this lovely opportunity!

    teabird17 %%% at %%% yahoo dot com

  50. Oh I've been dying to read this one. Thanks for the giveaway!

    My favorite fairytale has to be Sleeping Beauty. When I was little I would pretend to be her. Didn't help that I love the Disney movie and really wanted her changing color dress.

    Thanks again!

    nycbookgirl at gmail dot com

  51. Nice long overview and review! Ever since seeing Disney's Alice In Wonderland as a child, I have always liked the story. The art and creativity of it is just inspiring. The fact that she's a real girl (just found out here) is mindblowing.

    wakeupangel at gmail dot com

  56. This sounds like a wonderful book. Thanks for the great giveaway. I think my favorite fairytale is Sleeping Beauty.

    carolsnotebook at yahoo dot com

  57. I'd love to read this book!
    Alice in Wonderland has always been my favorite fairy tale!
    mittens0831 at aol dot com

  62. sounds wonderful,
    one of my favorite fairy tales is acutally one of the original hansel and gretel, so creepy

    wheresmyrain at yahoo dot com

  63. I have read nothing but great reviews on this book. I'd love to win a copy! My favorite fairytale is Rapunzel.

    redladysreadingroomATgmailDOTcom

  68. Does Beauty and the Beast count? If not then Snow White.

    BethsBookReviewBlog AT gmail DOT com

  69. My favourite fairy tale is Beauty and the Beast.
    Thanks for the opportunity to win this book!
    shnndvs(at)hotmail(dot)com

  71. Beauty and the Beast is my favorite. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland is in my top 3 favorite books though.

    Ladytink_534(at)yahoo(dot)com

  72. I always loved Cinderella. This book looks fabulous! Thanks for the giveaway.

    s.mickelson at gmail dot com

  74. This book is high up on my wish list, so I've got my fingers and toes crossed! Makes it hard to type. I don't know if I really have an absolute favorite fairy tale. I really like telling Jack & the Beanstalk, though – especially if it's the first time a child has heard the story. They ususally sit there totally agog!
    Thanks for the chance to win this – even though with all these entries, it's a real long shot!

    geebee.reads AT gmail DOT com

  75. The book sounds interesting. I've read several things about how the story came to be. One of my favorite fairy tales is Jack and the Beanstalk.

  79. I've always loved fairytales. I'd have to say The Princess and the Pea has always been one of my faves although I loved Gus, the mouse in Cinderella.

    melacan at hotmail odt com

  83. My favorite fairy tale is Hansel & Gretel. Oh the damage I could do to a house made of candy!

    aksimmo at brainerd dot net

  86. I deleted my Jan 26th comment because I won Alice I Have Been in another contest, so you don't need to count my entry.

    But I'll still say that Cinderella is my favorite!

    Laura Hartness
    The Calico Critic

  87. I loved Alice as a child. It was just nice having a girl the same age as me when I was younger to want to be like. She goes from being this curious and innocent young girl to a confident young woman. Cinderella, while nice, comes to an end that is just too good. I love the dream like quality of Alice and how it blurs reality with the dream world. I also love peter pan. THink every child dreams of getting away from their world and coming to a area that fits all their dreams. vampireprincess2468@yahoo.com

  90. Favorite fairy tale? I think that may be Snow White…. I always like a little suspense with my stories… and hey – this one has a witch! LOL

    journey through books @ gmail dot com

  92. I have always been fascinated by Alice. I studied Carroll's book during my undergrad years, and I too was shocked then to find that Alice was a real girl. However, there have been some discussion by scholars and lay readers like myself on Carroll's view of the child, since Alice is often captured as an imp child, innocent yet seductive, lending the photos to be somewhat suggestive, if not pornographic. The photo you post above in particular has always had that "pedophilia lens" for me. Alice I Have Been intrigued me right away, because it reminded me of this discussion on Carroll I had more than 10 yrs. ago with my English professor. I can't wait to read this book!

    I have to say, however, as much a modernist and an independent woman I consider myself to be, I am still a huge fan of the "knight in shining armor". Hence, my favorite faerie tales have been Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella. If ever you choose to read a book of faerie tales, check out Maria Tatar's Annotated Classic Fairy Tales. She gives some background history on the tales she chose for this anthology and presents the reader with several versions of the same or similar tales for the reader's enjoyment. I recommend it.

  93. I've always loved Alice in Wonderland, but my favourite fairy tale is Beauty and the Beast. 🙂

    LauraKeyes[at]pecschools[dot]com

    I'm a follower on Bloglines.

    Laura

  94. My favorite fairy tale is "Beauty and the Beast." Thanks for entering my name in your giveaway.

    denny(dot)gill(at)gmail(dot)com

  95. My favorite fairytale is Beauty and the Beast. I love how the tale has a purpose to teach others kindness. Thanks so much for the opportunity to enter my name in your giveaway.

    dizzybloom@gmail.com

  97. Does Peter Pan count as a fairy tale? It's the first one that came to mind.

    mommablogsalot (at) gmail (dot) com

  98. I love Alice in Wonderland, but another one I love is Beauty and the Beast!
    hsemonick at gmail dot com

  100. For some reason my favourite fairy tale growing up was 'The three little pigs'. Probably because dad read it to me in scary wolf voice 😛

    teagirl1 at telus dot net

  101. My favorite fairy tale is probably Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, with Cinderella coming in a close second.

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

  103. My favorite fairy tale is Beauty and the Beast because Belle is always really smart and bookish (maybe that's just in Disney) and you get to see the Beast grow internally and then finally externally. I love it and watch the film a few times a year! I would love to win this book. Thanks for the giveaway!
    kghobbs@gmail.com

  104. Hi, I will be reading this book for a monthly book club. Sounds greats. My favorite fairy tale is Jack and the Bean Stalk (I used to try and plant jelly beans as a kid!)
    Suzanne
    zanners18@gmail.com