Alice I Have Been

Alice I Have Been is a historical fiction novel that reimagines the life of Alice Liddell Hargreaves, the real-life inspiration behind Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. The story follows Alice from her childhood in Victorian Oxford through her adult years. At the center of the narrative is young Alice's complex relationship with Charles Dodgson (who wrote under the pen name Lewis Carroll), a mathematics professor at Christ Church and friend to the Liddell family. Their connection, which began with afternoon storytelling sessions and photography, leads to consequences that echo throughout Alice's life. The novel moves between different periods of Alice's life - from her early years as a dean's daughter at Oxford, through her coming of age in Victorian society, to her experiences as a wife and mother. Benjamin incorporates historical records and photographs while constructing Alice's voice and perspective. This work explores themes of memory, identity, and the sometimes difficult intersection of childhood and adult worlds. The novel raises questions about how a moment in time - or a story - can shape an entire life, and how the line between fiction and reality can blur.

Readers emphasize the book's ability to blur the lines between fact and fiction in telling Alice Liddell's story. Many note the thorough research and compelling portrayal of Victorian England. Readers appreciated: - The complex handling of the relationship between Alice and Dodgson - Rich historical details and period atmosphere - The focus on Alice's full life beyond just her childhood - Benjamin's writing style and pacing Common criticisms: - Too much speculation about the Dodgson relationship - Slow middle section - Abrupt ending - Some found the adult Alice less engaging than young Alice Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (22,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (500+ ratings) Sample reader comment: "Benjamin takes a famous literary connection and spins it into something deeper - a story about growing up and apart from childhood memories." - Goodreads reviewer Critical comment: "The endless hints and speculation about impropriety became tedious. I wanted more about Alice's actual life." - Amazon reviewer

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🔹 Alice Liddell, the real-life inspiration for Alice in Wonderland, kept her connection to the famous story relatively quiet throughout her adult life and sold her original manuscript of "Alice's Adventures Under Ground" at auction in 1928 to support her family. 🔹 Author Melanie Benjamin discovered the inspiration for this novel after seeing a haunting photograph of the elderly Alice Liddell Hargreaves, taken by Cecil Beaton in 1932. 🔹 The mysterious break in the relationship between the Liddell family and Charles Dodgson (Lewis Carroll) has never been fully explained, and pages from his diary covering this period are missing. 🔹 Alice Liddell's older sister Lorina and younger sister Edith also appeared in the original tale, represented as the Lory and Eaglet in the pool of tears. 🔹 Prince Leopold, Queen Victoria's youngest son, courted Alice Liddell during her youth, but their potential romance was discouraged by the royal family due to class differences.