“Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.”
Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland books have captured imaginations for over 150 years with their whimsical worlds, eccentric characters and timeless tales of adventure. But, whilst we’re all familiar by now with Alice’s tumble down the rabbit hole, there is so much more behind the series to discover. Carroll continued Alice’s story in a delightful sequel, making it an essential companion for fully appreciating the magic of Wonderland. Today at What We Reading we’ll be exploring Alice in Wonderland. From the introduction of beloved figures such as the Mad Hatter and Queen of Hearts, the order you should read these stories in, their impact on literature and their enduring legacy with readers of all ages today, wander through Wonderland with us and discover how to enjoy the Alice in Wonderland books in the best way possible.
Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland (1865)
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland opens when a young girl named Alice, bored and curious, chases a White Rabbit wearing a waistcoat and carrying a pocket watch. She falls into a magical realm known as Wonderland, where the rules of logic and reality are delightfully flipped on their head.
In Wonderland, Alice encounters a series of bizarre and enigmatic characters including the grinning Cheshire Cat, the inscrutable Caterpillar, the Mad Hatter and the March Hare during a nonsensical tea party. Along the way, she also has to contend with numerous issues such as growing and shrinking in size after consuming magical foods and drinks.
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland reaches a climax in the court of the Queen of Hearts, where Alice plays witness to the absurdity of the Queen’s justice system. Throughout this, she also wrestles with themes of identity, curiosity, and the illogicalness of the adult world. While the story concludes with Alice waking and realising it was all a dream, the magic of Wonderland continues to linger in her imagination.
Through The Looking-Glass, And What Alice Found There (1871)
In Lewis Carroll’s sequel to Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There, Alice steps through a magical mirror in her home and enters a fantastical world where everything is reversed, much like a reflection. This world is shaped like a giant chessboard, and Alice sets out on a journey to become queen by advancing across the board.
As she navigates the Looking-Glass world, Alice encounters a number of whimsical characters and puzzling situations. She meets Tweedledee and Tweedledum, the Red and White Queens and the White Knight, all of whom offer her advice and a series of riddles and poems. Through the Looking-Glass also features the Jabberwocky poem that has become one of the most iconic features of the Alice in Wonderland books.
Alice’s journey is marked by dreamlike and surreal events including crossing brooks and overcoming illogical rules. Finally, she reaches the final square and is proclaimed a queen, only to find herself in a chaotic feast with other queens. The story finishes with Alice once again waking up, pondering whether her adventure was a dream or if the Red King was dreaming of her.
The Correct Reading Order
To fully appreciate Lewis Carroll’s magical world, it’s best to read the Alice in Wonderland books in the order they were published:
- Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (1865)
- Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There (1871)
This ordering follows Alice’s adventures as they were intended, with the second book building on the whimsical tone and themes of the first. Both stories work as standalone, however, reading them in order offers a more rewarding experience as Carroll demonstrates how his imaginative storytelling develops.
From Wonderland’s quirky characters to the reversed logic of the Looking-Glass world, each book offers an original perspective; but, together, they create a cohesive journey through Alice’s curious imagination.
Why The Alice In Wonderland Books Are Still Worth Reading
The Alice in Wonderland books remain just as enchanting today as they were when they were first published over 150 years ago. Having never been out of publishing, readers are still captivated by their whimsical sequences, playful language and unforgettable characters. Beneath the surface of nonsensical adventures also lies a profound exploration of crucial themes such as curiosity, identity and the transition from childhood to adulthood.
One reason these books endure is their dual appeal. For children, they are delightful tales filled with imaginative worlds, talking animals and magical transformations. For adults, there are layers of subtle satire, clever wordplay, philosophical musings and plenty of moments of nostalgia to evoke.
The Alice in Wonderland stories have also profoundly influenced popular culture, inspiring countless adaptations in literature, film, art and music. Iconic characters like the Mad Hatter, Cheshire Cat and Queen of Hearts have all become cultural symbols. In a world where creativity is often stifled by logic, these books are a celebration of imagination and the power of thinking differently.
Modern Adaptations And Spin-Offs
The Alice in Wonderland books have inspired a huge range of modern adaptations and spin-offs, each offering a fresh take on Carroll’s original work. Tim Burton’s 2010 film Alice in Wonderland stars Johnny Depp and Mia Wasikowska and reimagines Alice’s adventures with a darker, more fantastical twist, whilst still honouring the original’s eccentric cast of characters and themes.
In the literary world, The Looking Glass Wars series by Frank Beddor presents an action-packed, alternate version of Wonderland where the Queen of Hearts is a feared and famed warrior. Similarly, Christina Henry’s Alice presents Alice’s tales as a dark, horror-infused narrative, chronicling her descent into madness in the twisted underbelly of Wonderland.
Graphic novels such as Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland adapted by Rod Espinosa bring a new visual flair to the original tale, whilst series like Splintered by A.G. Howard blends fantasy, romance and adventuring to create an equally unique twist.
These adaptations all demonstrate the versatility and lasting appeal of Carroll’s stories, proving that Wonderland continues to enchant and inspire new generations of creators and audiences. Whether through film, art or literature, Alice in Wonderland remains a cultural touchstone with near-endless possibilities for reinvention.
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Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
