Scandal in Wonderland: Alice I Have Been by Melanie Benjamin

Everybody's heard rumors about Lewis Carroll and his book "Alice in Wonderland." But what about the little girl who inspired the tale? Who was the real Alice, and what really happened to her? Read Melanie Benjamin's "Alice I Have Been" and find out.

A heartfelt debut novel, "Alice I have Been" isn't the story of a child. Rather, it's a story about a girl-turned-woman and her understanding of life. Growing up, this story states, is never quick and rarely easy. Growing older, however, is something we all have to come to terms with. Inspired by the Carroll Myth, Melanie Benjamin dances gracefully around some very twisted subject matter. Young love, forbidden love, and the intentions of an older friend.

Understated but still thrillingly scandalous, "Alice I Have Been" is a really great read.

The Specifics:

"Alice I Have Been" by Melanie Benjamin
January 2010
315 Pages

My Review: This book delicately deals with some really dark rumors. It's an interesting look at the trials of growing up.


Who'd Love It: Costume Drama Enthusiasts, or anyone who likes a good bit of gossip.

What's It About: The real Alice in Wonderland.

When's It Set: Victorian England

What I Thought: 
My sister says that I am a gossip. And, for the most part, she's entirely right. Maybe that's why I've always loved a good conspiracy theory. But if that's all you're looking for in a novel, then Melanie Benjamin's "Alice I Have Been" probably isn't for you. Like all good coming of age tales, this story has depth.

We've all heard the rumors surrounding Lewis Carroll, that his famous children's story was really just an in depth account of a very serious LSD trip. But what about Charles Dodgson, the man behind the rabbit hole. Did you know that he took photos of various young Victorian children? Did you know that the real Alice posed for one of these shots?

Was Charles Dodgson in fact a pedophile?

And stop.

Now you've probably read and reread that last sentence. A book about a pedophile, you're thinking. No, not for me. But that's the beauty of Benjamin's story. She is not writing about a pedophile (although those rumors do play into the story). Instead, she focuses on Alice Liddell, the real Alice in Wonderland, and the effect Charles Dodgson and his story had on her life.

Surprisingly, the actual story of "Alice in Wonderland" doesn't play a huge part in this tale. What Benjamin did focus on are the relationships surrounding Alice: The role of her mother, her sisters, her lover, and Mr. Dodgson. Love, the book clearly states, is curtail in the development of a child. But does it matter from whom this love is given? That's the real question Benjamin asks.

Again, this is not a tabloid novel, even though it covers incredibly scandalous subjects. Benjamin treats all of her characters with dignity, weaving a delicate mystery on each page. What I loved most about this novel was that Benjamin didn't reveal the real nature of Alice and Mr. Dodgson's relationship until the very end of the novel. Was the author of "Alice in Wonderland" in fact a pedophile? Sadly, no, I'm not going to spoil it for you.

"Alice I Have Been." I definitely recommend it.

Up Next: Alice I Have Been

"I do get tired; tired of pretending to be Alice in Wonderland still, always. Although it has been no easier being Alice Pleasance Hargreaves. Truly, I wonder; I have always wondered-- Which is the real alice, and which the pretend?"

- "Alice I Have Been" by Melanie Benjamin

"Few works of literature are as universally beloved as Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Now, in this spellbinding historical novel, we meet the young girl whose bright spirit sent her on an unforgettable trip down the rabbit hole-and the grown woman whose story is no less enthralling. 

"But oh my dear, I am tired of being Alice in Wonderland. Does it sound ungrateful?" 

Alice Liddell Hargreaves's life has been a richly woven tapestry: As a young woman, wife, mother, and widow, she's experienced intense passion, great privilege, and greater tragedy. But as she nears her eighty-first birthday, she knows that, to the world around her, she is and will always be only "Alice." 

That story, a wild tale of rabbits, queens, and a precocious young child, becomes a sensation the world over. Its author, a shy, stuttering Oxford professor, does more than immortalize Alice—he changes her life forever. But even he cannot stop time, as much as he might like to. And as Alice's childhood slips away, a peacetime of glittering balls and royal romances gives way to the urgent tide of war. 

For Alice, the stakes could not be higher, for she is the mother of three grown sons, soldiers all. Yet even as she stands to lose everything she treasures, one part of her will always be the determined, undaunted Alice of the story, who discovered that life beyond the rabbit hole was an astonishing journey. 

A love story and a literary mystery, Alice I Have Been brilliantly blends fact and fiction to capture the passionate spirit of a woman who was truly worthy of her fictional alter ego, in a world as captivating as the Wonderland only she could inspire."

- The Official Website of Melanie Benjamin

Check out this interview with Melanie Benjamin on NCTV17's Authors Revealed with Becky Anderson:

About the Author:

"Melanie Benjamin was born in Indianapolis, Indiana. An avid reader all her life—as a child, she was the proud winner, several years running, of the summer reading program at her local library—she still firmly believes that a lifetime of reading is the best education a writer can have. 

While attending Indiana University—Purdue University at Indianapolis, Melanie performed in many community theater productions before meeting her husband, moving to the Chicago area and raising two sons. Writing was always beckoning, however, and soon she began writing for local magazines and newspapers before venturing into her first love, fiction. As Melanie Hauser, she published two contemporary novels. 

By incorporating her passion for history and biography, Melanie, now writing as Melanie Benjamin, has finally found her niche writing historical fiction, concentrating on the "stories behind the stories." Alice I Have Been is her first historical novel; The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb is her second, published in July 2011. Having recently signed a contract with Random House for two more historical novels, she is currently at work on her third. 

She and her family still live in the Chicago area; when she's not writing, she's gardening, taking long walks, rooting for the Cubs— 

And reading, of course."

- The Official Website of Melanie Benjamin

More Books by Melanie Benjamin:

Mrs. Tom Thumb 

Timeless Like All Great Love Stories: Under Fishbone Clouds by Sam Meekings

Never judge a book by its cover. It's a hard and fast rule of anyone who consideres themselves a true bibliophile. Great content does not require stunning cover art. But I have a secret. A horribly guilty pleasure: Nine times out of ten, I'll buy a book without even reading the back of it if it has beautiful jacket art. A bad habit, I know. But what's even worse is that, nine times out of ten, the story will be, at best, mediocre, a real let down.

This time, however, I really hit the jackpot. Sam Meekings "Under Fishbone Clouds" was every bit as beautiful as the picture published on its front. It is the exception, the one-in-ten, if you will. How could I not recommend reading it?

The Specifics:

"Under Fishbone Clouds" by Sam Meekings
December 2010
416 Pages

My Review: A beautiful book with beautiful moments, it made me remember why I love to read.

Who'd Love It: Anyone who likes a subtle love story (Not a steamy love story. . . Don't pick it up expecting hot sex and action.)

What's It About: A cast of expertly crafted characters who struggle to understand love in a time when the world doesn't seem to have any.

When's It Set: China during the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937 to 1945), and the following Cultural Revolution

What I Thought:
For some books, it's very hard to find a quote to sum up the story. As a whole, the book will be excellent, but I won't be able to find that one sentence or single phrase that captures the essence of the novel. This was not the case with Sam Meekings' "Under Fishbone Clouds." Not at all. Not in any way. Each sentence was more beautiful than the last one.

Simply speaking, "Under Fishbone Clouds" is a love story. Boy meets girl. Boy falls for girl. Boy loves girl even when the world falls apart. But speaking simply does not do Meekings or his story justice. Like all of the great novels, "Under Fishbone Clouds" is like (excuse the cliche) an onion. You have to peel it back one layer at a time and know that you might start crying.

Tissue Box Warning: Ladies and the more sensitive Gents, this is not the story to read after a break-up.

More than a love story, the plot and author take on a huge task: To unravel the human heart and find what's at its center. Hate, greet, heartbreak, loneliness. All these emotions play into this story about a couple trying to decipher love. The result is a story that is breathtaking.

Clearly, I thought this book was pretty perfect. And if I've convinced you to pick it up, great. But know this first: "Under Fishbone Clouds" is not an epic love story. The characters are not larger than life, and in my opinion, it's what makes the story beautiful. But if you're looking for passion like Romeo and Juliet or a romance so sultry that you're willing to read three bad books to get to the sex scene (yes, I am talking about "Twilight"), then "Under Fishbone Clouds" is not your story.

Subtle. That's what this story is. And that's why it's so touching. Love is not just the property of fictional giants, but a blessing that we all must learn to live with. And that's exactly what Meekings portrays in his stunning debut novel.

For a summary of "Under Fishbone Clouds," read my post, "Up Next: Under Fishbone Clouds."

Up Next: Under Fishbone Clouds

"Who can deny the fact that we are always in need of love stories?"

- "Under Fishbone Clouds" by Sam Meekings

"Under Fishbone Clouds is a universal love story, a family saga, and a journey through Chinese history, myth, and culture.  Following a young Chinese couple as their love grows, and is tested, during Mao's Cultural Revolution, this elegant debut novel provides a rare and personal glimpse into the birth modern China. 

When the Kitchen God is challenged by the Jade Emperor to fathom the workings of the human heart, he chooses to follow the life of Jinyi and his wife Yuying, from their blossoming love until their old age, in hope of finding an answer. The Kitchen God watches as the new government strictures split their family in two, living inside their hearts as they they endure the loss of two children, homesickness, and isolation, all while keeping alive a love that survives famine, forced labor, and even death. Weaving together the story of their life with China’s recent political history, as well as traditional folktales and myths, the Kitchen God illuminates the most impenetrable aspects the human condition. 

Sam Meekings's remarkable debut novel showcases his luminous, poetic writing, as well as insights that belong to a writer twice his age. Part love story and part historical narrative, Under Fishbone Clouds carries the weight and beauty of a lifetime's achievement."

- Barnes and Noble

About the Author:

"SAM MEEKINGS received his undergraduate degree in Modern History and English Literature from Oxford University, and his masters degree in Creative Writing from Edinburgh University. Originally from southern England, he now lives in China with his wife and two children. Under Fishbone Clouds is his first novel."

- Barnes and Noble

More by Sam Meekings:

The Book of Crows

See what The New York Times thought! Read "Dumplings With the Kitchen God" by Janet Maslin.

History, Mystery, and Buried Treasure: The Exodus Quest by Will Adams

I am a history nerd. An unashamed, unabashed history nerd. And so ever since I read Dan Brown's "The DaVinci Code," I've been searching for a book to live up to that thrill. For years now, I have been unsuccessful; but this week I finally found a book that hit my expectations dead on the mark. Will Adams' "The Exodus Quest." Read it. You won't be disappointed.

The second book in Adams' Daniel Knox mysteries, "The Exodus Quest" takes readers on a thrilling adventure through Ancient Egypt. Gunfights, ancient puzzles, a charming hero, and some very bad men. This book had it all and then some.

The Specifics:

"The Exodus Quest" by Will Adams
April 2010
326 Pages

My Review: Buy it. Read it. Don't put it down. Definitely worth the money.

Who'd Love It: History Nerds/Action Junkies (Spoiler Alert: This is not a romance novel.)

What's It About: Ancient Egyptian History and a Badass Archaeologist

When's It Set: Modern Alexandria


What I Thought:

Full disclosure: I did not know that this book was number two in the series when I first picked it up. Normally, you'd think this would be a problem: Like only watching season two of True Blood and wondering why I was confused. Clearly, there was some history between Adams' characters that I'd missed by skipping to book two. Will Adams, however, is an excellent writer. And while I wouldn't recommend skipping the first book intentionally, book one wasn't necessary to fall in love with "The Exodus Quest." Dan Brown step aside, I've found a new series.

That last sentence is written mostly in jest. (Mostly. Interjected cough. "The Lost Symbol" was disappointing). Yes, "The Exodus Quest" was every bit as good as "Angels and Demons," but Will Adams is not Dan Brown, and nor should he be. So if you're looking for a carbon copy of a Robert Langdon mystery, "The Exodus Quest" is not the book for you.

Spoiler Alert! Daniel Knox is sexier than an old Harvard professor.

Superficiality aside, unlike Dan Brown, Adams does not spend as much time on the puzzles used in "The Exodus Quest." And while, yes, this does mean that the reader doesn't get that puffed up ego boost for figuring out the answer, Adams more than makes up for it with historical context. Facts in "The Exodus Quest" are presented as if they are the most natural things in the world. By the end of the book, I was feeling like an Egyptologist.

My only critique is that Adams might have tried to fit too much story into this novel. While on the hunt to rescue Gaile, Knox discovers a mural that has explosive implications for Christianity. For a history nerd, plot lines like this are pretty close to crack. This story element is, however, dropped, leaving me to wonder at what the hell happened. With a suggestion this scandalous, you can't just leave me hanging.

But Adams' characters and his original plot line were strong enough to carry me to the very last word (perhaps even strong enough to do without the extra information). In the end, I still fell in love with the book. I give it five stars, two thumbs up, a blue ribbon, and a gold trophy. I will definitely be reading the whole series -- including book one.

"The Exodus Quest" by Will Adams. Read it.

For a summary of the exodus quest (plus a little gossip about the author) read my Up Next post: "Up Next: The Exodus Quest."

Up Next: The Exodus Quest

"Knox knew how rare it was to find valuable artifacts in a street market. The hawkers were too shred to sell high-quality pieces that way, the antiques police too observant. And there were artisans in the back streets of Alexandria and Cairo who could knock out convincing replicas in a heartbeat, if they thought they could fool a gullible tourist into parting with their cash. But this particular bowl seemed too dowdy to be worth the effort. 'How much?' he asked finally."

- "The Exodus Quest" by Will Adams

"On a dusty Alexandrian street, Egyptologist Daniel Knox comes across a Dead Sea Scroll jar that puts him on the trail of an ancient Jewish sect. But blood-and-thunder preacher Ernest Peterson has a sacred mission to complete, and he’s not about to let Knox or anyone else get in his way. 

"Then Knox’s partner Gaille Bonnard is abducted, and a hostage tape threatens her with execution. Knox is certain she’s hidden a message in the broadcast, but he can't convince the authorities, not least because they now suspect him of murder. With time running out for Gaille, Knox flees custody and races across Egypt to the mysterious ancient city of Amarna and the tomb of a heretic pharaoh that may just provide the answer to the great riddle of the Exodus itself."

 - The Official Website of Will Adams

About the Author:

"Will Adams worked as a shop salesman, painter & decorator, warehouse porter and microfiche technician, before joining a Washington DC-based firm of business history consultants. He wrote a series of corporate histories and biographies for them, taking time off between projects to travel in search of exotic settings for his stories. More recently, he worked for a London communications agency, but he now concentrates on writing fiction full-time. He lives in Essex, England."

- Barnes and Noble

More Books by Will Adams:

The Alexander Cipher 

The Lost Labyrinth 

The Eden Legacy