Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2789 in Books
• Published on: 2007-04-05
• Binding: Hardcover
• 328 pages

Rachel Cooke, The Observer
'one of the most exhilarating books in years...a minor
masterpiece'

Irish Times, April 14, 2007
"magical"

Metro, April 13, 2007
a multi-layered retelling of British history...aglow with jostling imagery...dazzling"

Customer Reviews

Don't believe the hype
There have been enough reviews already that describe what AIS is about but I feel obliged to chip in about the quality. This isn't as witty as it likes to think it is and some of the metaphorical images are very heavy handed. The illustrated Shakespeare pages are truly awful. The artist's representation of himself as narator in 4 different guises is irritating and maybe even a tad vain. There were interesting sections but overall this book suffers from a lack of narrative, sure comics can be a medium for more that just superheroes and boys adventure, but do we really want them to read like a travel guide?

Alice in Sunderland: An Entertainment
I cannot understand why it has taken me to the age of 57 to know about the Lewis Carroll connection with Sunderland. This is a wonderful history of "mackemland" (yes I am a geordie) not limited to Alice but gives a comprehensive history of the city from its beginnings to the present day. Introducing Sid James into the story is a wonderful way of bringing in Sunderland's theatrical history. It is well produced on good quality paper and the illustrations are really excellent. I have not read many "graphic novel" type books but Brian Talbot has made me want to buy more and I will be searching amazon for more by him. I wonder if he would produce a similar treatment of Newcastle ?

Something Different
This was given to me as a gift, so I wasn't sure what to expect. But as the title suggests, this is "an entertainment". It is not a graphic novel. Not having expected a graphic novel (from the man who brought us such classics as "one bad rat") I was not disappointed at all.

And what an entertainment it is! Well researched, providing fascinating facts about the history of Sunderland, extremely well written with a good artistic variety providing re-readable material. I found myself torn between turning each page as fast as I could and trying to absorb every little detail. The time and effort that went into creating this book is patently obvious.

If every history book was written like this, everyone would know a lot more about where they lived.