Lewis Carroll in Wonderland and at Home: The Story of His Life
"Lewis Carroll in Wonderland and at Home: The Story of His Life" by Belle Moses is a biographical account written in the early 20th century. The book delves into the life of Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, who is better known by his pen name, Lewis Carroll, tracing his journey from childhood to his rise as a beloved author and mathematician. It explores the influences and experiences that shaped his whimsical storytelling, including his most famous work, "Alice in Wonderland," while also providing insight into his personal life and character development. The opening of the biography introduces Charles Dodgson's early life, beginning with his birth in Daresbury, England. It discusses his family background, particularly focusing on the roles of his father, a respected clergyman, and his gentle mother, from whom he inherited much of his creativity and humor. As the eldest of eleven children, Dodgson's childhood was marked by a sense of responsibility, but also by imaginative play and a fascination with nature, which foreshadowed his later literary contributions. The narrative describes his initial education, his fondness for storytelling, and the early experiences that hint at the genius he would eventually display in his writings, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of his life and work in the chapters to follow.