“Fantasy just declared war on reality” is the first sentence of the book The Looking Glass Wars written by Frank Beddor. How can I not open the book to find out what it means? Some ask why this title is so familiar, and the reason it being inspired by a classic children’s story. The “looking glass” from Frank Beddor can be found in the popular story of Alice in Wonderland, written by Lewis Carroll. Do not jump to conclusions by assuming Beddor’s book is a continuation of the adventures in wonderland because I did and was blown away. The Looking Glass Wars is the complete opposite of everything Carroll originally wrote about.
The Looking Glass Wars is the first book in the trilogy about Alyss’ adventures in Wonderland. In this story everything written by Lewis Carroll is lies and Beddor’s story is the true story of Alyss. The character of Alice, created by Carroll, is the fictitious story, while the character and Wonderland are indeed real. If a person sees the smoking caterpillar, the rabbit with the annoying ticking clock, and even the blonde bitch, it is not drugs but every character Carroll wrote about is true in some form. Alyss’ story comes to life because reverend Charles Dodgson, better known as Lewis Carroll, writes Alyss’ memories down in a manuscript. Get it? Dodgson used to be Carroll’s original name, funny how Beddor spins the story. Carroll’s story uses characters, images, and adventures and determined it all to be part of Alyss’ imagination.
Lewis Carroll’s version of Alice in Wonderland is the adventure of an ordinary blonde girl, or as my parents say the blonde bitch, which fell down a rabbit hole into a mysterious world full of unusual things and imagination. I
read about the smiling cat, a tea party, and the Duchess but never anything like this spin on Wonderland. Beddor uses Wonderland not as the make-believe land, but as a kingdom ruled under hierarchy. In this world full of order and war, Alyss is actually Princess Alyss Heart. I should tell my aunt that one; she would have to address her as Princess Blonde Bitch. She did not fall into Wonderland, but instead had to escape because of her evil Aunt Redd’s invasion. Alyss is now trapped in London trying to fit in, which I feel is hard for any teenage girl to do. As Alyss gets older, she eventually perceives Wonderland as part of her imagination and begins to lead a normal life. With the help of her childhood friend, she is returned to Wonderland and defeats her aunt to become Queen of Wonderland.
Beddor’s version of Alice (Alyss) provides a twist on a classic. Action, romance, and trying figuring out who you really are, The Looking Glass Wars provides suspense and enjoyment. My favorite character throughout the story, in either version, is Hatter M, or the Mad Hatter. I feel for him because in Lewis Carroll’s version, the Hatter is sentenced to death by the queen for murdering time and in order to escape, the tea party is forever frozen at 6:00 pm. Beddor, in his version, did not portray the Hatter as the troubled character. Instead, he was the queen’s body guard with the responsibility to watch over Alyss until she could rule. He is the one who was to protect Alyss when they escape Wonderland, however they were separated. Hatter M then spends the next thirteen years trying to track her down, and bring her back to her homeland. I would not mind Hatter M searching for me because I would love to meet him.
There is something more appealing about Hatter M, than Carroll’s version. The reader is able to see his weaknesses, his troubles, and his strengths not only as a character in a story but as a person. I personally enjoy Beddor’s version because there are more emotions, relationships, and dynamics to the plot. As a beloved reader of the classic version, The Looking Glass Wars brings something new. Both versions send the reader to strong worlds full of fantasy where they get trapped in an adventure.
Sources
Beddor, Frank. (2006). The Looking Glass Wars. New York, NY: The Penguin Group.
Carroll, Lewis. (1946). Alice in Wonderland. New York, NY: Grosset & Dunlap, Inc.
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