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The Complete Sylvie and Bruno
In 1865, Lewis Carroll turned Victorian children's literature on its head with the publication of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. A quarter of a century later, in Sylvie and Bruno (1889) and Sylvie and Bruno Concluded (1893), he did the same for the Victorian novel.
Presenting dual plots, the novels describe an attempt by the warden of Outland to usurp the birthright of the fairy children Sylvie and Bruno, and the rivalry of Captain Eric Linden and Dr. Arthur Forester for Lady Muriel Orme, in the English town of Elveston. Adults and children alike will find the legendary Carroll nonsense, whimsy, and charm in these stories--as well as startling techniques not found in the Alice books.
Presenting dual plots, the novels describe an attempt by the warden of Outland to usurp the birthright of the fairy children Sylvie and Bruno, and the rivalry of Captain Eric Linden and Dr. Arthur Forester for Lady Muriel Orme, in the English town of Elveston. Adults and children alike will find the legendary Carroll nonsense, whimsy, and charm in these stories--as well as startling techniques not found in the Alice books.
416 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 1991
3 people are currently reading
82 people want to read
About the author
Lewis Carroll
6,112 books8,469 followersThe Reverend Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, better known by the pen name Lewis Carroll, was an English author, mathematician, logician, Anglican clergyman and photographer.
His most famous writings are Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and its sequel Through the Looking-Glass as well as the poems "The Hunting of the Snark" and "Jabberwocky", all considered to be within the genre of literary nonsense.
Oxford scholar, Church of England Deacon, University Lecturer in Mathematics and Logic, academic author of learned theses, gifted pioneer of portrait photography, colourful writer of imaginative genius and yet a shy and pedantic man, Lewis Carroll stands pre-eminent in the pantheon of inventive literary geniuses.
He also has works published under his real name.
His most famous writings are Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and its sequel Through the Looking-Glass as well as the poems "The Hunting of the Snark" and "Jabberwocky", all considered to be within the genre of literary nonsense.
Oxford scholar, Church of England Deacon, University Lecturer in Mathematics and Logic, academic author of learned theses, gifted pioneer of portrait photography, colourful writer of imaginative genius and yet a shy and pedantic man, Lewis Carroll stands pre-eminent in the pantheon of inventive literary geniuses.
He also has works published under his real name.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 10, 2017
This is an impossible to rate book, but I'm going to try.
Don't expect an exact clone of the Alice books, or you will be bound to be disappointed.
It is precisely Lewis Carroll's intention to write something unlike the Alice books.
The two most off putting aspects for many modern reader are probably Bruno's cloying baby talk (which hides a bit of subtle subversion, if "it offends oo") and those long passages that outline Carroll's theologico-philosophical speculations that do not include nonsense.
The best way to see it is as a presciently post-modern novel that deconstructs the typical sentimental Victorian novel. Although sentiment, and "right philosophy", and "ennobling thoughts" in the Victorian sense were taken seriously by Lewis Carroll, he gives another dimension by interrupting the narrative and plunging into a fairy dream world. The narrator is essentially autobiographical, an old and somewhat sad gentleman, but one who is fascinated by puzzles, theology, childhood, and with a hyperactive imagination and a love of nonsense. In a way a Carrollian might see it as the only true autobiography.
On commentator suggested (although it is an infinitely easier read) that "Sylvie and Bruno bears the same relation to Lewis Carroll's earlier works, mutis mutandis, as Finnegans Wake to the more intelligible earlier productions of James Joyce". I did a blog posting on exactly these innovative features on our Finnegans Wake reading group blog:
http://finniganswakesantacruz.blogspo...
Don't expect an exact clone of the Alice books, or you will be bound to be disappointed.
It is precisely Lewis Carroll's intention to write something unlike the Alice books.
The two most off putting aspects for many modern reader are probably Bruno's cloying baby talk (which hides a bit of subtle subversion, if "it offends oo") and those long passages that outline Carroll's theologico-philosophical speculations that do not include nonsense.
The best way to see it is as a presciently post-modern novel that deconstructs the typical sentimental Victorian novel. Although sentiment, and "right philosophy", and "ennobling thoughts" in the Victorian sense were taken seriously by Lewis Carroll, he gives another dimension by interrupting the narrative and plunging into a fairy dream world. The narrator is essentially autobiographical, an old and somewhat sad gentleman, but one who is fascinated by puzzles, theology, childhood, and with a hyperactive imagination and a love of nonsense. In a way a Carrollian might see it as the only true autobiography.
On commentator suggested (although it is an infinitely easier read) that "Sylvie and Bruno bears the same relation to Lewis Carroll's earlier works, mutis mutandis, as Finnegans Wake to the more intelligible earlier productions of James Joyce". I did a blog posting on exactly these innovative features on our Finnegans Wake reading group blog:
http://finniganswakesantacruz.blogspo...
January 7, 2018
“Sylvie and Bruno” is Carroll’s final and most ambitious fantasy novel. Personally, I don’t think it succeeds. There are certainly flashes of the brilliance of Wonderland such as the Gardner whose frenzied nonsense reminds us of the Mad Tea Party. But there are so many boring passages to wade through and it is difficult to take Bruno’s ridiculous baby talk. In the end it remains an interesting curiosity.
Despite these reservations, it is worth pointing out that there is an opposite view that holds that the book is one of the major works of Victorian literature. I think it is very much a minority position but here is one such justification:
http://popculturephilosopher.com/sylv...
Despite these reservations, it is worth pointing out that there is an opposite view that holds that the book is one of the major works of Victorian literature. I think it is very much a minority position but here is one such justification:
http://popculturephilosopher.com/sylv...
April 1, 2010
It was interesting to say the least. The plot was somewhat different and this book did not seem as nonsensical as Lewis Carroll's other books.
November 23, 2018
[3.5 out of 5 stars]
I think I can say, quite truthfully, that this is the most confusing book I have ever read. Most times the confusion is good (think Alice in Wonderland). Other times it goes over the top so as to be actually annoying.
I'll admit that I didn't enjoy Silvie and Bruno as much as Alice in Wonderland. Silvie and Bruno is little too chaotic for me! That said, I'm very glad to have experienced this book. I think it shows a side of Charles Dodgson you don't see in the Alice books. While it does have the characteristic lighthearted humor, it seems that the humor is just a cover, sometimes shifting to reveal the true depth of Dodgson's inspiration in penning this (seemingly incoherent) tale. As I read, it become obvious that Dodgson was a "thinker" much like George MacDonald.
The amazing cast of characters is another thing that sets this book apart. Where do you find children as skillfully drawn as Silvie and Bruno? They're so charming, yet so realistic. It's obvious to me that Dodgson knew his subjects well. You can't, out of your own imagination, create a child as cleverly roguish yet believable as Bruno without real-life experience. However, the Professor is my very favorite character. I couldn't in a million years have dreamt up a man so ludicrous! No, ludicrous doesn't describe him, not absurd either . . . Well, I could never have dreamt up a man so completely indescribable!
Just a note on the illustrations: they are are perfect in every way. The book is almost worth reading just for the pictures. Especially those that involve the Professor.
This book is recommended for anyone who takes life too seriously, or doesn't take life seriously enough. If you're a diehard fan of Charles Dodgson, it's a must-read! (Note: I did not say "if you're a diehard fan of the Alice books." I think there a plenty of people who love Alice in Wonderland, but won't understand Silvie and Bruno in the least. They are very different in some ways.)
I think I can say, quite truthfully, that this is the most confusing book I have ever read. Most times the confusion is good (think Alice in Wonderland). Other times it goes over the top so as to be actually annoying.
I'll admit that I didn't enjoy Silvie and Bruno as much as Alice in Wonderland. Silvie and Bruno is little too chaotic for me! That said, I'm very glad to have experienced this book. I think it shows a side of Charles Dodgson you don't see in the Alice books. While it does have the characteristic lighthearted humor, it seems that the humor is just a cover, sometimes shifting to reveal the true depth of Dodgson's inspiration in penning this (seemingly incoherent) tale. As I read, it become obvious that Dodgson was a "thinker" much like George MacDonald.
The amazing cast of characters is another thing that sets this book apart. Where do you find children as skillfully drawn as Silvie and Bruno? They're so charming, yet so realistic. It's obvious to me that Dodgson knew his subjects well. You can't, out of your own imagination, create a child as cleverly roguish yet believable as Bruno without real-life experience. However, the Professor is my very favorite character. I couldn't in a million years have dreamt up a man so ludicrous! No, ludicrous doesn't describe him, not absurd either . . . Well, I could never have dreamt up a man so completely indescribable!
Just a note on the illustrations: they are are perfect in every way. The book is almost worth reading just for the pictures. Especially those that involve the Professor.
This book is recommended for anyone who takes life too seriously, or doesn't take life seriously enough. If you're a diehard fan of Charles Dodgson, it's a must-read! (Note: I did not say "if you're a diehard fan of the Alice books." I think there a plenty of people who love Alice in Wonderland, but won't understand Silvie and Bruno in the least. They are very different in some ways.)
January 12, 2010
Delightful fantasy mixed with thought provoking political, religious, and social insites.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews