Alice with a Why by Anna James

Hello, dear reader! I’d like to introduce you to Alice. Not that Alice - this Alice. No - Alyce - yes, with a why. No, not with a why - Alyce with a Y! Now that’s sorted, let’s hop straight down the rabbit hole into this wonderful new tale by Anna James, which brings a timeless classic to life for a new generation.

It’s England 1919, and young Alyce is living with her grandmother - the original Alice we all know from Lewis Carroll’s wistful Wonderland. When a mysterious invitation to a tea party hits Alyce square in the face, she stumbles upon the Wonderland of her grandmother’s memories. But this world is different to the magical adventures that filled Alyce’s bedtime stories. Wonderland is under the wrath of its own war - The Sun King and The Queen of the Moon are fighting over a stolen hour. Though Alyce is not the original Alice in Wonderland, she has no choice but to try to set things right... though she’s not entirely sure how to.

For the time being, Alyce must go in search of - well - The Time Being. She encounters the help of familiar faces along the way, befriending the Mad Hatter and the Cheshire Cat, who are joined by a kindly wise fox. With some near disasters, (a tea party without sugar, and a picnic without sandwiches) all sorts of adventures take place in this page-turning modern tale which is embroidered with the nostalgia of the original Alice in Wonderland.

This latest novel by the much-loved Anna James is compelling, whimsical and surreal, yet so in touch with the reader’s emotions that it will be cherished by children and adults alike. A classic in the making, it’s bound to be read for generations to come, captivating audiences with its charming yet humorous tone. With meticulous care, and an exquisite level of originality, it reimagines a story we all love into a tale for the modern age. Anna James has captured the magic of Wonderland so eloquently, and this book is purely an ode to her incomparable capacity for storytelling.

Alice with a Why (Indie Exclusive)

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The indie exclusive edition of Alice with a Why by Anna James is available to pre-order ahead of its publication on 19th June 2025. Illustrated by Matthew Land, with stunning cover art by Isobelle Ouzman, this edition features primrose-yellow sprayed edges to add to the magic of the book. Pre-order now!