Book Reviews
Wilfred Dodgson of Shropsire by David Lansley
Reviewed by Keith Wright
I was interested in this book because I had carried out some research myself and visited the area several times but had not had time to put pen to paper on it! I must admit though that David Lansley has done an excellent job on Wilfred in this book. As a researcher myself I can appreciate the hours of work and the excitement of the chase as David pursued his subject through the archives of the Boyne estate and the local Shropshire papers. Wilfred is often only ‘seen’ in his youth in Carrollian circles, and even then only considered through the perspective of his older brother Charles. This book sets the records straight.
Wilfred’s courtship- of Alice Jane Donkin at Barmby Moor and Sleights is detailed, the house in Barmby Moor was the place where Alice Donkin was photographed in 1862 in the famous Lewis Carroll image ‘The Elopement’ - taken when she was eleven.
In the final outcome Wilfred ignored family advice and eventually married Alice Jane Donkin in the Whitby area in August 1871. David Lansley suggests that the Dodgson family may have thought Alice Jane unsuitable for Wilfred but this is not a view I found to be sustainable. The reader must make their own mind up bearing in mind the class system in Victorian times. The age difference, Alice Jane born in 1851 and Wilfred in 1838, would not have been seen as significant then as men had to be financially sound before they could be accepted as a suitor.
This is an excellent book and members can obtain it from the UK Lewis Carroll Society via their web site or by contacting the editor here.
Rabbit Hole a novel by V.J.Waks
Reviewed by Liz Wright
As I know the castle at Guildford and the site of Lewis Carroll’s grave on The Mount the book immediately made me feel at home and eager to read further into the story which is based in the Surrey town where Lewis Carroll’s sisters moved to in 1868 after the death of their father in Croft on Tees.
The author introduces Caspian Hythe into the story along with an ancient mystery and the ‘Alice’ characters. The attitude and behaviour in this tale surprises the Carrollian reader and leads to a much darker story developing and to the Carrollian trying to guess the changers in character which will occur. The hero, as heroes do, survives in the story ready to go into the next book which is promised.
I found this book interesting and hard to put down as curiosity leads one to keep on reading.
V.J. Waks (Victoria) advises that the book will be available on Amazon by Halloween which is quite an appropriate time for such a book!
Behind the Looking-Glass by Sherry Ackerman
Reviewed by Keith Wright
Behind the Looking-Glass, by American Professor Sherry Ackerman, is being released in second edition on November 1st. This edition will be in paperback at a very affordable price. Published by Evertype, it features a new Foreword by Karoline Leach and a reorganization of the chapters and material. What a great Holiday gift idea for the Carrollian on your list!
The author argues that Lewis Carroll, contrary to biographical consensus, was not a "devout Anglican", but, instead, a mystic who had pierced the veil of esotericism. She supplies evidence from Carroll's diaries, letters and children's literature to support her claim that his involvement in the 19th century theosophical movement had profoundly impacted his spiritual development.
The premise is controversial, without a doubt. But, Sherry Ackerman supplies enough evidence that one comes away scratching their head and saying "well, maybe...!" It's a food-for-thought book for anyone who is serious about scratching away at Carroll's identity.