After Alice Book Review

After Alice is the latest adult fairy tale novel from the best-selling and highly acclaimed author, Gregory McGuire. (You know, the one who wrote Wicked.)

Gregory McGuire has been one of my favorite authors for several years now, and so it was without hesitation that I per-ordered After Alice upon it’s coming soon announcement. Plus, we’re talking about Wonderland here, and I just knew that an author with McGuire’s mastery and skill would handle it as it deserves to be. (Take note: Tim Burton.)

After Alice is delightfully absurd and a quaint thrill to read.

This novel is full of characters playing with language and double-speak. You’ll find yourself laughing out loud at how some of the creatures in wonderland question the simplest of inquiries from Ada, the main character of the novel and neighbor friend of Alice’s.

There is also another level to the story, of which takes place in the “real world,” that will give adult readers of the novel more to chew on in terms of perspective on Victorian customs, class systems, the scientific revelations at the time, and even philosophical observations regarding the death of a loved one and how to cope with such a great loss.

This novel is sure to excite McGuire fans such as myself, as well and those who are fans of Lewis Carroll’s original Alice in the Wonderland story. McGuire keeps much of Carroll’s original tone and sense of whimsy throughout his writing, but the new, fresh material is thoroughly entertaining.

These days, I can’t get enough of all things Alice, and this book provided an excellent means of (temporarily) satisfying that craving.

Have you read After Alice yet? If so, tell me what you thought of it in the comments below.

If not, you can snatch up your own copy here on Amazon, or better yet, head over to your local bookstore for a fresh or gently used copy.