Yep, another Alice in Wonderland spin off, I've told you I love Alice in Wonderland and anything related to it. I actually received this one as a gift from my wonderful boyfriend. After Alice is the story of Ada, a friend of Alice's who had fallen down the rabbit hole after Alice did. She spends her time in Wonderland looking for Alice so they may return home together.
I have to say I was a little disappointed in this novel. There seemed to be more focus on the family in London rather than Ada in Wonderland. I expected some reference back to London, but not the this extent which included Alice ' s sister fancying a gentleman who came to their home. There were slight mentions of her having a disability, but not further uses in the story.
There were several other references to other works of literature or nursery rhymes that were completely out of place. For example Ada comes to a door with the inscription "abandon hope all ye who enter here." That is from Dante's Inferno, so one wonders in the gates to Hell in Wonderland?
We don't see Ada interacting with many of the known characters for too long, it's all just a brief contact, as she passes through their part in Wonderland. When she does catch up to Alice it is lacking in climax. I think Mr. McGuire tried to put too much into the story that he lost track of his original idea. I without say this novel is not for Alice fanatics like myself, but others may find it enjoyable. I am struggling with a rating while I was completely disappointed and disheartened by this book it is well written. I would have to, unfortunately, give this novel a 2 out 5 which saddens me not only because I am an alice fan, but also a Gregory McGuire fan. This novel seemed to lack a certain quality his other booms have.
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