Book Review: Alice's Journey Beyond the Moon

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Alice's Journey Beyond the Moon     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
R. J. Carter
Class/Genre:   Fantasy   Juvenile   Young Adult
Telos, Oct 2004, $7.99, 91 pp.

While renovating the library of the Christ Church, Oxford, a series of letters, doodles and a manuscript by Reverend Charles Dodgson is found. Everyone on the project is excited because a new Alice tale, ALICE'S JOURNEY BEYOND THE MOON, has been uncovered amongst the treasure. Since there is no reference to this tale amongst the Dodgson’s notes, scholars debate the find, but believe it is an authentic Lewis Carroll Alice story.

ALICE'S JOURNEY BEYOND THE MOON as related by Lewis Carroll follows Alice and her cat Snowball debating what makes up the moon with an eclipse on the horizon. Alice wonders could it be made of green cheese and how tasty that would be. Or could it be stone like her father insists? Of course, Snowball mostly purrs in response. Still not sure, Alice feels a visit is in order. She ponders how far the moon can be from her home as she knows the moon is closer than say Russia as she sees the moon, but not Russia. So Alice begins her latest adventure less than a year from her return from the Looking Glass.

Lewis Carroll would be proud to include this terrific homage to the great Alice tales as ALICE'S JOURNEY BEYOND THE MOON will entertain children while also providing satire and wit to feed the head of adults as her earlier adventures do. The story line is fun to follow while the footnotes enhance the “discovery” and the fabulous illustrations highlight and enrich the delightful text. R. J. Carter provides a winning Alice adventure that all ages will appreciate while floating along with the heroine.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner