Reading: After Alice by Gregory McGuire

"Happy endings are still endings." - Gregory Maguire, Son of Witch

Book: After Alice

Author: Gregory Maguire

Publisher: Harper Collins

Rating: 1 star

I grew up reading Gregory Maguire books. As a child I loved the Hamlet Chronicles, a series revolving around two warring clubs of schoolchildren called the Tattletales and the Copycats. I was so thrilled when I grew up and discovered that Maguire had written books for adults as well. I devoured Mirror Mirror, Wicked, and Son of Witch. On the other hand, I was completely unable to finish Lost and A Lion Among Men.

What I'm saying here, is that the nature of the books Maguire writes, twists on familiar tales in the style of the original author, is very hit-or-miss. In the case of After Alice, Alice's wild imagination and wonderful outlook on life (see what I did there?) are what make Alice's Adventures in Wonderland so timeless and quotable.

Have you ever wondered what would happen if a literal, imagination-less child fell down the rabbit hole? Yea, me neither. The writing style was clunky, most of it going over any reader's head. The story (as far as I read) was slow-moving and unoriginal.

I have to say, I only read 50% of the book. I tried everything I could to finish it, and I've never reviewed a book I didn't finish before. I. just. couldn't. I'm disappointed to say it, but I feel that I should share this fair warning with anyone else who might be interested in Alice's tale and thinks this would be a fun addition. Fun is the last word I'd use to describe it.

#book #fantasy