Book Reviews & Giveaway: Alice in Wonderland and Philosophy

Alice in Wonderland and Philosophy: Curiouser and Curiouser

edited by Richard Brian Davis

I must admit, I hadn’t thought about philosophy since I struggled in college (desperately struggled) to get an A in my philosophy 101 class. What is art? What is beauty? Can’t remember!

So when I first opened “Alice in Wonderland and Philosophy” I had a nasty negative attitude. Who cares about Alice anyway? It’s a kid’s book! This is so silly kept flashing far back in my brain like a camera flash. I can’t take this seriously I thought – oh, how I hated that class!

So I decided to read mindfully. This time, I found “Alice in Wonderland and Philosophy” fascinating! “Unruly Alice: A Feminist View of Some Adventures in Wonderland” by Megan Lloyd was right down the tunnel – I’m a feminist writer! “Alice bravely enters into a new world and takes care of herself.” The very essence of feminism!

The next essay, “Jam Yesterday, Jam Tomorrow, But Never Jam Today: On Procrastination, Hiking … and the Spice Girls” by Mark D. White was funny, witty and insightful. Mr. (Dr.?) White, while hysterical, is knowledgeable, hip and analytically compelling. “The problem, then, becomes this: how can a number of momentary experiences, none of which are considered good at the time, add up to an overall experience that is either remembered as good, or anticipated as good (i.e., parenting).” (Page 24). Good question! Yet how many of us say our job is good, when we hated it yesterday, are going to hate it tomorrow and can’t get any flavor out of it today! Hmmm! Loved it!

Not only well thought out, I laughed all the way through this essay – getting my jam today!

There are many essays, as listed in the index, all provocative and lively and fun. The nitty gritty: philosophy connotes boring and ephemeral concepts many times beyond everyday worries. Not so these essays. Funny, understandable, creating an arena wherein we are challenged to think, but in a comprehensive, modern way, “Alice in Wonderland and Philosophy” is a delight. I appreciated the book’s novelty on an adult level, while still enjoying the brilliant nonsense Lewis Carroll presents in Alice in Wonderland. A new and inquisitive way to enjoy an old classic!

Ratings are based on a 5-star scale

Overall: 4.5

Book Review by Broad “A” – Ava

Alice in Wonderland and Philosophy: Curiouser and Curiouser (The Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture Series) is available at Amazon.com $12.21

Thank you to FSB for providing this title for our book review as well as this giveaway. We were in no way paid or compensated for our opinions

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