Sylvie and Bruno by Lewis Carroll
Read "Sylvie and Bruno by Lewis Carroll" Online
This book is available in the public domain. Start reading the digital edition below.
START READING FULL BOOKBook Preview
A short preview of the book’s content is shown below to give you an idea of its style and themes.
If you only know Lewis Carroll from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, this book will be a huge surprise. It's his last major work, and it feels like he poured all his remaining ideas into one big, strange pot.
The Story
The narrator shuttles between two realities. In one, he's a bystander in a very proper Victorian drama about a man named Arthur, his lost love Lady Muriel, and a scheming politician. In the other, he's a visitor to the fantastical Outland, where the elf-children Sylvie and Bruno have adventures that are silly, profound, and often nonsensical. The two stories weave in and out of each other, with characters and themes from one world bleeding into the other in mysterious ways.
Why You Should Read It
This isn't a tidy story. It's messy, philosophical, and deeply personal. You can feel Carroll wrestling with big ideas about faith, love, and morality, all while still making up ridiculous poems and songs for the fairyland sections. Sylvie and Bruno themselves are charming—less cynical than Alice, more genuinely innocent. The book's magic lies in its jarring contrasts. One minute you're in a tense drawing-room conversation, the next you're watching a fairy-child turn into a hummingbird. It's a unique experience.
Final Verdict
This is not the book for someone wanting a straightforward fantasy. It's for curious readers and Carroll completists who want to see the full, unfiltered range of his imagination. Perfect for anyone who likes literary experiments, doesn't mind a bit of Victorian sentimentality mixed with their nonsense, and enjoys trying to solve a puzzle where the pieces are from two completely different boxes.
This is a copyright-free edition. It serves as a testament to our shared literary heritage.
Anthony Ramirez
1 year agoText is crisp, making it easy to focus.
Lucas Wilson
8 months agoA bit long but worth it.
Deborah Lewis
1 year agoThis book was worth my time since the depth of research presented here is truly commendable. Absolutely essential reading.
Michael Taylor
1 year agoHonestly, it provides a comprehensive overview perfect for everyone. Truly inspiring.
Mary White
9 months agoText is crisp, making it easy to focus.