Lewis Carroll's classic tales of Alice go almost without introduction -- but many in our day an age know the story only from an infinity of TV adaptations. That's a shame, because Carroll was a delightful writer: ." . . Just then her head struck against the roof of the hall: in fact she was now more than nine feet high, and she at once took up the little golden key and hurried off to the garden door. . . . Poor Alice " Alice may be poor, but all who read of her are wealthy in a way that's utterly uncommon.

One winter night, at half-past nine, Cold, tired, and cross, and muddy, I had come home, too late to dine, And supper, with cigars and wine, Was waiting in the study. There was a strangeness in the room, And Something white and wavy Was standing near me in the gloom -- I took it for the carpet-broom Left by that careless slavey. But presently the Thing began To shiver and to sneeze: On which I said "Come, come, my man That's a most inconsiderate plan. Less noise there, if you please " "I've caught a cold," the Thing replies, "Out there upon the landing." I turned to look in some surprise,...

Lewis Carroll's classic tales of Alice go almost without introduction -- but many in our day and age know the story only from an infinity of TV adaptations. That's a shame, because Carroll was a delightful writer: ." . . Just then her head struck against the roof of the hall: in fact she was now more than nine feet high, and she at once took up the little golden key and hurried off to the garden door. . . . Poor Alice " Alice may be poor, but all who read of her are wealthy in a way that's utterly uncommon.