Since the publication of Leach's 'In the Shadow of the Dreamchild', Cohen's central thesis about Carrol's sexuality has become out of date and a little embarrassing. But I still recommend this biography as a good source of information about other parts of the man's life.

Cohen's portrait of Lewis Carroll as the child-obsessed freak who had no interest in women and who was in love with a series of 'little girls' including Alice Liddell no longer has much credibility, since Leach's revelation that most of this image is a myth and that beneath this myth Carroll DID have many relationships with women, some which caused scandal during his lifetime. Also Cohen's long speculations about a possible 'marriage proposal' from Carroll to Alice in 1863 have been rendered redundant by Leach's discovery of the so-called 'cut pages in diary' document in the Carroll archives.

This might tempt some to say Cohen's book is just not worth considering any more. But I don't agree. Parts of it are really superb and the best kind of biography. I still like his analysis of Carroll's literature and his incisive consideration of the relationship between Carroll and his father. He makes an honest attempt to present a real human being.

Worth 3 stars for that alone. Read it - but read Leach's book too -- in fact if you want to know about Carroll then her work is a must-see since she has forced an almost total rewrite of the accepted image of 'the man who wrote Alice'.

Cohen is clearly the world's foremost authority on Lewis Carroll, and his biography of this fascinating author is a rich amalgam of factual detail and careful analysis, supplemented with many interesting photographs.

Unlike the narrow thesis-driven Leach book, this biography provides a well-rounded and comprehensive portrait of Carroll the man and author.

Cohen has done more to establish the factual details of Carroll's life and work than anyone else, thanks to this biography and to his scrupulous editions of Carroll's letters.

If you are interested in Lewis Carroll and his Alice books get this volume. The day I obtained my copy I began reading at midnight and continued to daylight. The perfect account of a Romantic transcending the limitations of time and space...and the embodiment of charm.