The Multiverse of Alice: Curiouser and Curiouser

We love inventive adaptations of classic literature. These can take the form of sequels, prequels, or retellings of the original plot. So we're embarking on a new project exploring the "multiverse" of a selection of iconic stories. Each week we'll feature ten imaginative spins on one of our favorite tales. And we're kicking it off with Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll.

Meditations in Wonderland

From Anna Patrick, comes this debut about Brooklyn-based interior designer Elizabeth. One morning, while meditating, she goes deep, so deep that she gets stuck, falling down a sort of psychic rabbit hole. There she meets an elusive Alice and chases her through Wonderland, guided by clues along the way.

Splintered

The first in a YA series by A. G. Howard, this story centers on a modern-day descendent of the real-life Alice. For generations, Alyssa's family has been cursed with a maddening affliction that landed her mother in the mental hospital. Now Alyssa is in a race against time to set things right.

Alice

In Christina Henry's violent, mind-bending sequel to the original, Alice resides in a mental hospital in Old Town, where she has been for two years. In her scattered, shadowy memories, she can only find disturbing images from a tea party long ago—long ears and blood.

Curiouser and Curiouser

Book one in Melanie Karsak's Steampunk Fairy Tales finds Alice trying to escape a life of crime in London's dark underbelly. But then the Hatter's reckless behavior puts him in jeopardy. In order to save him, Alice must work with the one man she despises so much that she might still love him.

A Blade So Black

L. L. McKinney delivers this YA series starter featuring Alice as an Atlanta teen who's been tapped to battle monstrous creatures in the dark dream realm known as Wonderland. But things get complicated as Alice juggles an overprotective mom, a high-maintenance best friend, and a slipping GPA.

Jabberwocky

This 1971 film directed by Terry Gilliam is based on the nonsense poem from Lewis Carroll's Alice sequel, Through the Looking-Glass. The comical fantasy stars Michael Palin as a hapless young villager who experiences a series of clumsy, slapstick misfortunes as he hunts a murderous dragon.

Are You Alice?

In this weird and wacky manga series by Ai Ninomiya and Ikumi Katagiri, a disillusioned young man stumbles into Wonderland amidst a murderous game in which everyone refers to him as Alice. He rails against the role he has been thrust into, but finds he has little choice in the matter.

The Looking Glass Wars

In this YA series by Frank Beddor, Alyss is the heir to the throne of Wonderland. When her murderous aunt Redd steals the crown and kills Alyss's parents, Alyss and her bodyguard, Hatter Madigan, must flee Wonderland. But after they become separated, Alyss finds herself lost and alone in Victorian England.

Alice in Wonderland (2010)

2010 dark fantasy directed by Tim Burton and starring Mia Wasikowska depicts a nineteen-year-old Alice who is charged with restoring the reign of the White Queen (Anne Hathaway) with the help of the Mad Hatter (Johnny Depp). The film was praised for its eye-popping visual style and ornate costumes.

Heartless

Marissa Meyer is the author of this prequel centered on Catherine, a girl with simple dreams. Long before she was the terror of Wonderland, she was just a girl who wanted to fall in love and open a bakery with her best friend. These dreams do not include accepting the growing affections of the King of Hearts.

When it comes to the magic of Wonderland, there are so many wonderful ways to go. It was truly difficult to narrow our choices down to just ten.

We're excited to start curating our next Multiverse collection, but we want to hear from you! Let us know which classic you'd like to see featured next.

Read more by Ashly Moore Sheldon