Read Alice In Wonderland Books In Order : Every Fan MUST Know!

By Kathy | Last Updated on July 7, 2026

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The Alice in Wonderland books, authored by Lewis Carroll, stand as some of the most beloved and influential works of literature. Their whimsical narrative, surreal imagery, and playful use of language have intrigued readers of all ages for over a century. These books-Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (1865) and Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There (1871)-have inspired countless adaptations, analyses, and reinterpretations. But what is it about these stories that captivate us so thoroughly? What makes them both timeless and enigmatic?

In this exploration, we will delve into the history behind the Alice books, unravel the order in which they should be read, and discuss what makes them special. By the end of this piece, you’ll have a deeper understanding of this literary treasure and whether it’s worth diving into the Alice universe in its entirety.

List Of Alice In Wonderland Books In Order

More On Alice In Wonderland Books In Chronological Order

1. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (1865)

So, let’s kick things off with the classic! Published in 1865, this is the one that introduced us to Alice, a curious little girl who falls down a rabbit hole into the whimsical and chaotic world of Wonderland. The book takes us through her bizarre adventures, meeting quirky characters like the White Rabbit, the Cheshire Cat, the Mad Hatter, and the Queen of Hearts. What makes this book so unique is its playful logic and surreal storytelling, which makes you question what’s real and what isn’t. It’s like a fever dream with tea parties and playing cards, all wrapped in the charm of Lewis Carroll’s wit!

2. Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There (1871)

If you thought Wonderland was wild, wait until Alice steps through the looking-glass! This is the sequel to ’Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,’ and it was published in 1871. In this one, Alice finds herself in a world that mirrors her own, but everything is reversed, from the chessboard patterns to the characters she meets. There’s a new set of bizarre characters, including Tweedledum and Tweedledee, and, of course, the famous Jabberwocky poem. It’s got this dreamlike quality, but with even more layers of nonsense and absurdity. You’ll be baffled, entertained, and totally immersed in Carroll’s topsy-turvy logic once again!

3. The Nursery ’Alice’ (1890)

This one’s a bit different! Published in 1890, ’The Nursery Alice’ is a shorter, more simplified version of the original ’Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,’ aimed at young children. It was created with brightly colored illustrations and simplified text to make it more accessible to a younger audience. While it’s still Wonderland, it’s more of a kid-friendly take, perfect for those just starting to dive into the weird world of Alice. You get all the same quirky characters and bizarre logic, but it’s definitely a lighter, more whimsical read.

4. Alice’s Adventures Under Ground (1886)

Here’s the real precursor to the famous Alice story! Written in 1886 but published in 1889 as a manuscript, ’Alice’s Adventures Under Ground’ is the original version of ’Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.’ This one was actually hand-illustrated by Lewis Carroll for Alice Liddell, the real-life inspiration for the character of Alice. It’s much shorter than the published book and lacks some of the later additions, like the famous tea party scene. But it’s fascinating to read because you get a peek into the development of this imaginative world before it became the full-fledged masterpiece we know today!

5. The Hunting of the Snark: An Agony in Eight Fits (1876)

Okay, this one’s not exactly about Alice, but it’s part of Carroll’s broader body of work, and it still carries that same surreal, whimsical spirit. Published in 1876, ’The Hunting of the Snark’ is a poem about a group of adventurers who embark on a wild, absurd quest to find a mysterious creature called the Snark. The poem features Carroll’s signature nonsense verse, where things make sense and yet, don’t. It’s a bit of a departure from the Alice stories, but if you’re a fan of the logic-defying world Carroll created, you’ll love this quirky journey!

Background On Alice In Wonderland Books

The Alice books-Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There-were written by Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, better known by his pen name, Lewis Carroll. Born in 1832, Dodgson was a man of many talents, including mathematics, photography, and writing. His most famous works, however, are undoubtedly the two Alice books, which are often categorized as "nonsense" literature. Carroll’s works are marked by their fantastical elements, illogical scenarios, and paradoxical dialogues, which invited readers to challenge their conventional understanding of reality.

The first book, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, was published in 1865. Its tale of a young girl named Alice falling through a rabbit hole into a bizarre world of talking animals, nonsensical laws, and whimsical characters became an instant classic. The story was an imaginative journey, a departure from the more moralistic and didactic children’s literature of the time. What made it stand out was its playful manipulation of language and its freedom from the rules of rationality. In Alice, logic is subverted, and nonsense reigns supreme, a characteristic that would go on to define much of Carroll’s work.

Through the Looking-Glass followed in 1871, continuing Alice’s adventures, but this time, the narrative takes place on the other side of a looking-glass (a mirror), where Alice enters a world that operates according to chessboard rules. This book, like the first, features fantastical characters like Tweedledum and Tweedledee and introduces the concept of a mirror world, doubling the book’s sense of wonder and surrealism.

While both books are set in a dreamlike world filled with improbable characters and events, they are also profoundly innovative in their treatment of language, logic, and reality. The puzzles, riddles, and nonsensical conversations are not merely whimsical, but invite deep reflection on the nature of perception, identity, and language.

Reading Order Explained

Though Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass are typically considered standalone novels, there is a specific reading order that can enhance the experience of the series. Technically, the recommended order is to read Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland first, followed by Through the Looking-Glass.

The reason for this is that the first book introduces readers to Alice, her character, and the chaotic world of Wonderland. Its episodic structure is often seen as an exploration of childhood curiosity, confusion, and the growing awareness of the illogical nature of the adult world. In contrast, Through the Looking-Glass builds upon its predecessor by expanding the scope of Alice’s journey into a different, albeit equally strange, universe. The narrative structure of Through the Looking-Glass is also more complex, as it follows the framework of a chess game, with Alice progressing through a series of challenges as though advancing across a chessboard.

By reading Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland first, you begin the journey in a world of disorder, and Through the Looking-Glass serves as a natural continuation, a more reflective and abstract exploration of the themes introduced in the first book. The second book’s structure, which mimics a journey through a chessboard, also offers a new layer of sophistication, making it an ideal progression after you have experienced the less structured chaos of Wonderland.

For those interested in the wider Alice universe, there are also several adaptations, prequels, sequels, and retellings that you can explore. While not part of Carroll’s original works, books like The Nursery "Alice" (1890) or Alice’s Adventures Under Ground (a version of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland that predates its publication) offer additional glimpses into the Alice mythos, though they are not essential to understanding the primary texts.

What I Like About The Series?

What makes the Alice books particularly delightful is the blend of absurdity and profundity that runs throughout both works. At first glance, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass might seem like pure whimsy-a playful exploration of the absurd. And indeed, they are filled with such moments: Alice conversing with a Cheshire Cat who fades in and out of existence, a mad tea party with the Hatter, a Queen who orders executions on a whim.

However, beneath the layers of nonsense, Carroll is exploring profound concepts like identity, growing up, and the flexibility of language. The conversations in Wonderland and the Looking-Glass world are frequently riddles that challenge the very essence of meaning and logic. Alice is constantly faced with dilemmas that are philosophical in nature, as she interacts with characters who defy traditional boundaries of logic and existence. There is also a constant theme of questioning authority and tradition, particularly through the Queen of Hearts’ absurdity and the nonsense of the Jabberwocky poem.

I also appreciate the way Carroll creates a dreamlike sense of immersion in his world. The fluidity of the narrative allows readers to accept the most outlandish circumstances as normal, much as Alice does. Each new character or event-whether the Caterpillar, the Mock Turtle, or the Red Queen-feels like a natural progression of the story rather than a random interruption. The world-building is effortless and enchanting, and this is what keeps the books so endlessly re-readable.

But beyond the entertaining qualities of the books, they also serve as a gateway to deeper reflection. How do we perceive the world, and how does language shape our understanding of reality? What happens when logic is turned upside down, and we are forced to navigate a world without clear rules? These questions, often veiled in nonsense, give the Alice books their lasting depth.

Should You Read Alice In Wonderland Books In Order?

While both Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass can be enjoyed independently, reading them in order is highly recommended for those who want to fully appreciate the progression of ideas, characters, and narrative structure. The first book introduces the world and its peculiarities, setting the stage for the more abstract concepts explored in the second.

Moreover, the second book builds upon themes in the first, such as Alice’s changing perceptions of herself and the world around her, as well as the subversion of traditional logic. Through the Looking-Glass also deepens the reader’s engagement with Carroll’s use of language, presenting a series of puzzles and paradoxes that can be more fully appreciated after understanding the tone and style of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

So, if you’re new to the Alice universe, reading them in order offers a coherent narrative and thematic development. However, if you are more interested in reading for enjoyment and curiosity alone, you may find it just as enriching to dive into whichever book captures your interest first.