SOPHIE’S LIBRARY: Book vs. Movie
 Jordan Parker

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
Written by Lewis Caroll

Growing up, I only ever heard Lewis Caroll’s famous tale; I never actually read the story. But reading Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland as an adult had a very curious effect on me. I felt as though I’d been transported, just like Alice, into a topsy-turvy world and into a young child again. Lewis Carroll wrote this classic tale over 130 years ago, and it’s still fueling the imagination of children and adults alike.

The story begins with Alice immediately seeing the White Rabbit hurrying along towards the fateful Rabbit Hole. It doesn’t waste any time in getting to the core of the story. From the very beginning, Alice moves from one absurd encounter to another, trying to remain level-headed in an upside down place. There is no normal plotline, no rising and falling action, antagonist, or structure. But what it does have is an endless supply of new fantastical characters and wondrous settings — the perfect recipe for a starved imagination.

When I got near the end, I was curious as to how Caroll was going to wrap things up. And here’s how: just as easily as the story plunged headfirst into Wonderland, it jumped out of it in an instant. Wonderland abruptly ends with Alice waking up from a long dream, and jolts the reader into reality again. Every character and voice she saw and heard in her dream were really just sounds going on around her as she slept outside. It’s a fast read and a fun, playful one. Don’t have a book lined up next? You may want to give this one a shot. It will definitely put you in a good mood!


Alice in Wonderland
Directed by Tim Burton

Tim Burton’s latest creation — yes, again starring Johnny Depp — is a vibrant remake of Lewis Caroll’s timeless classic. The movie is packed with creative renditions of the original characters, not to mention tons of special effects (it can even be watched in 3-D) — all in all, a perfectly fun dream world you can easily get lost in. However to my surprise, the film doesn’t follow the same story as the original version. The movie isn’t just a remake, it is meant to be a sequel to the first story. 19-year-old Alice returns to the magical world from her childhood where she reunites with her old friends. But this time, she must restore the rightful queen to her throne by ending the Red Queen’s reign of terror and slaying the horrific Jabberwocky.

Actress Mia Wasikowska portrays Alice at first as a quiet, whimsical youth, then grows into a courageous and brave young woman by the end of the movie (while wearing some lovely dresses, I might add). The Mad Hatter, played by Johnny Depp, was not as creepy as he looked in the previews. Instead he resembled a more subdued, depressed version of his former self — a character that inspires sympathy in viewers.

Burton’s movie certainly entertains kids with the mystical characters and 3-D effects. But adults? That’s up for debate. While many of Burton’s previous films have the versatility to entertain both children and adults, this one unfortunately doesn’t seem to master that ability — at least, in my opinion. If your aim in watching this 2010 version is to relive the beloved story you read while growing up, you may be sadly disappointed.

View Our Distribution Centers
View Our Supporters