Through the Looking-Glass

Lewis Carroll's Through the Looking-Glass was first published in 1871 and is a follow-up piece to Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. It is significantly longer than Wonderland and introduces a range of new characters. This new edition focuses solely on Through the Looking-Glass and includes an informative introduction by Zoe Jaques.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 24 February 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press

Lewis Carroll's Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There, was first published in December 1871 (dated 1872). Although Carroll intended Looking-Glass to be a follow-up piece to the immediately successful Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (1865), he created an entirely new fantasy world with a revised narrative structure. The twelve-chapter format was retained, but Looking-Glass is significantly longer than Wonderland (224 compared to 192 pages in the first editions), and introduces a range of new characters, and is framed by Alice's progression across a chess board to become queen. This new edition focuses solely on Through the Looking-Glass, with a penetrating and informative introduction by Zoe Jaques, including the most recent research and critical opinion on the subject matter.

Through the Looking-Glass, Lewis Carroll's second book in the Alice series, was first published in December 1871. Carroll had intended it to be a sequel to Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, but he created a completely new fantasy world with a different narrative structure. The book retained the twelve-chapter format but was significantly longer than Wonderland, with 224 pages compared to 192 in the first editions. It introduced a range of new characters and was framed by Alice's progression across a chess board to become queen.

The new edition of Through the Looking-Glass focuses solely on this book and includes an insightful introduction by Zoe Jaques, covering the latest research and critical opinions on the subject matter. Jaques' introduction provides valuable insights into Carroll's inspiration, writing process, and the cultural and social context of the book.

One of the notable features of Through the Looking-Glass is its use of mirrors and reflections. Carroll playfully explores the concept of identity and perception through the character of Alice, who encounters various reflections of herself and discovers that her sense of self is not always as stable as she believes. The book also features a range of memorable characters, including the White Knight, the Red Queen, and the Jabberwocky.

Through the Looking-Glass is widely regarded as a masterpiece of children's literature. Its imaginative and playful narrative, rich in symbolism and metaphor, has captivated readers for generations. The book's themes of identity, power, and the nature of reality continue to resonate with adults, making it a timeless classic.

In conclusion, Lewis Carroll's Through the Looking-Glass is a remarkable work of literature that has left an indelible mark on the world of children's books. Its imaginative narrative, memorable characters, and profound themes have made it a beloved classic that continues to inspire and entertain readers of all ages. Whether you are a fan of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland or are discovering this enchanting book for the first time, Through the Looking-Glass is a must-read that will transport you to a world of wonder and imagination.

Weight: 172g
Dimension: 129 x 197 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780198861508