The Letters of Lewis Carroll

The Letters of Lewis Carroll compiles the personal correspondence of Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, the mathematician and author better known by his pen name Lewis Carroll. This two-volume collection spans from his early years through his time at Oxford and the publication of his famous works. Morton N. Cohen has assembled over 1,200 letters written by Carroll to family members, child-friends, colleagues, and other notable figures of the Victorian era. The letters reveal Carroll's daily activities, creative process, and relationships, while providing context through detailed annotations and biographical information. The collection includes both published and previously unpublished correspondence, organized chronologically and supplemented with photographs and facsimiles of original documents. Cohen's editorial work connects the letters with documented events and contemporary accounts to create a comprehensive portrait of Carroll's life. These letters present a complex figure whose mathematical precision and artistic imagination coexisted with deep religious faith and an intense interest in the lives of children. The collection offers insights into Victorian society, the development of children's literature, and the intersection of logic and fantasy in Carroll's work.

Readers appreciate the comprehensive collection of Carroll's correspondence and the detailed annotations that provide context for the letters. Multiple reviewers note that Cohen's editorial work helps illuminate Carroll's personality and relationships beyond just his Alice books. Common praise mentions the inclusion of previously unpublished letters and the insights into Carroll's daily life at Christ Church. Several readers highlight how the letters reveal his close bonds with child-friends beyond just Alice Liddell. Main criticisms focus on the book's dense academic style and Cohen's occasionally speculative interpretations. Some readers found the extensive footnotes disruptive to the flow of reading the actual letters. Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (12 ratings) Amazon: Not enough reviews for rating Notable review quote: "Cohen lets the letters speak for themselves while providing crucial background information. The annotations never overshadow Carroll's voice." - Goodreads reviewer

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📚 Through this collection of letters, we discover that Lewis Carroll (Charles Dodgson) wrote approximately 98,000 letters during his lifetime, making him one of the most prolific letter writers of the Victorian era. 🖋️ The book reveals Carroll's special system for organizing his correspondence: he maintained a detailed register of every letter he sent and received, complete with summaries and cross-references. 👧 Many of Carroll's letters to child friends were written backward, requiring a mirror to read them—a playful technique he called "looking-glass letters" that delighted his young correspondents. 📝 Editor Morton N. Cohen spent over 20 years collecting and researching these letters, tracking down descendants of Carroll's correspondents across multiple continents. 🎨 The collection includes Carroll's detailed instructions to illustrator John Tenniel regarding the artwork for "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland," showing his meticulous attention to every aspect of his books' production.