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March 2019: Debut
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Alice I Have Been - Melanie Benjamin -a ONE STAR WONDER IMO
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Jemima, I tend to like Melanie Benjamin a lot. But one of the things I’m wondering is if she sort of hit or miss. Both for different people and between her books.Jemima, I love that you’re a Ravenclaw!
I started this book before Christmas, and just kept avoiding it until it landed on the bottom of the pile on my blanket chest. I am so glad it was just not me-going into the recycle bag in hopes it will find a happier home.Another stellar review Jemima!
Not that I'm inclined to read this type of thing, but your review has certainly made me sure not to put this on my TBR!
Thanks guys. I’m actually reading The Aviator’s Wife by Melanie Benjamin coming up soon. Alice was her first ever Historical Fiction (Debut). I have great hopes for the next one. She writes well (prose and structure wise) so I cannot see that the books she wrote with the hindsight of experience and necessary criticism and praise from her first publication will not be good.
I have read a few of hers and I really enjoyed Swans of Fifth Avenue. Aviators Wife is on my TBR. But here is my oath. If you don’t love it, off it comes from my list.
Amy wrote: "I have read a few of hers and I really enjoyed Swans of Fifth Avenue. Aviators Wife is on my TBR. But here is my oath. If you don’t love it, off it comes from my list."Ha Ha. I'll be sure to report back...it's on my list for April.
Good review! Another author I have yet to read. And honestly, have not even heard of her!
Amy wrote: "I have read a few of hers and I really enjoyed Swans of Fifth Avenue. Aviators Wife is on my TBR. But here is my oath. If you don’t love it, off it comes from my list."I hope you are noticing all the books I am throwing off my shelf😊-I am trying
Joanne- my partner in crime, tidying, and books. You are an inspiration to me. So proud of you. Got a gift to soon coming your way. I’ve been slow and reading this month but you’re number one for the huntress after I get through it.
Amy wrote: "Joanne- my partner in crime, tidying, and books. You are an inspiration to me. So proud of you. Got a gift to soon coming your way. I’ve been slow and reading this month but you’re number one for t..."Thank you much-do not hurry on my account-I have 3 Korea books, 3 debuts and my trim book going right now-can hardly come up for air!
I am also six or seven books away from it, and I haven’t even yet received the package.
My rating: 1 of 5 stars
I'm finding it hard to pull together exactly what was so wrong with this book for me. Reading it was certainly an unpleasant experience.
It was not the nature of the allegations that the author reported. They are disturbing to read about, but they are real life issues that we all ought to be aware of and to understand... and certainly never accept. In itself, Melanie Benjamin's choice to slant the plot in this manner (covering possible paedophilic leanings, alleged to Charles Dodgson by numerous persons over the years) would have made a reasonable and interesting story. I enjoy an author taking a controversial subject and making a good argument for that perspective within the bounds of a Historical Fiction novel. The problem I have is the author's assertion that from her research, she has built an authentic story of the real Alice Liddell. Unfortunately this book is largely fictitious as the author has used significant and unusual license in changing documented historical facts, calling into question the authenticity of her book.
Because of the author's chosen bias and subsequent eyes-closed approach to facts that would question her perspective, she has not only allowed her own conclusions to be presented irrefutably, but also dared to give the child Alice a personality that reflects her own adult interpretation of this bias. This is neither talented or clever. If your character is 7 years old, and grows up in the Victorian era, under certain privileged and cared for circumstances, as described by the author, you cannot present her private thinking as adult and over sexed. In this manner, by presenting Alice's circumstances, her father, mother, careful sister Ina, her governess and the servants, who within the story all keep a careful watch on the Alice, she has contradicted herself with her initial portrayal of that child.
Below are the notes I made at the end of chapter one and two, while reading the book. I will add that prior to reading the book I was not au fait with this history. The initial chapters felt so unauthentic and rang so many questionable alarm bells for me that I was forced to do the research myself and find out exactly why these allegations were made and what pros and cons were historically recorded to verify either.
'End of Chapter 1
I’m feeling a bit icky so far. I would have liked a little more unworldly childish innocence here instead of something that seems like an unlikely adult consciousness overlaid upon Alice’s perspective of her world. The view point is too self knowing, too aware to be an authentic narrative of a carefully cherished 7 year old.'
'End of Chapter 2
After reading the first two chapters I am extremely suspicious due to the 'voice' Alice was given. It is not the speech nor the thinking of a seven year old child, even today’s modern child. The author needs to have a better understanding of child psychology and how children experience the world. They don’t reason in the adult way that Alice does in this book. If she had left subtle clues that led us to question Mr Dodgson’s motives while preserving the innocence of Alice at this age it would have had more validity but the subtlety was rather laid thick with a trowel.'
In conclusion, I seriously question the authenticity of the author’s portrayal of the real Alice Liddell. It is a perspective of the story that is possibly true, I do not dispute this, but if so it seems entirely inauthentic in portrayal, given the author's choice of Alice herself as the narrator. There is a definitely an adult overlay to the child's voice. I feel I must condemn the author's intentions as sensationalist.
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