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Rating: 
Summary: Cohen has so many questions to answer
Review: Cohen's book was seriously challenged by the publication of Karoline Leach's 'In the Shadow of the Dreamchild'. We Carrollians have been waiting for five years now for Cohen to update his book in response. He needs to do so.Is he going to rebut Leach's claims that the whole in-love-with-Alice-story is a myth? What is his response to the amazing discovery of the 'cut pages in diary' document? What does he say to Leach's claims that Dodgson befriended numerous adult women and was probably sexually normal? I for one and many like me are very keen to know where this debate is going. Mr Cohen has promised a reply 'soon'. But when is 'soon?' We need an updated version of this book. Until then I have to give the book just two stars, though I'd like to give more.
Rating:
Summary: Cohen has so many questions to answer
Review: I first picked up this book from the local library as a ninth grader not even particularly fond of the Alice books- I think I just liked the cover. I ended up checking the book out many times afterwards, reading and rereading it. This book is beautifully written, and paints a fair and thorough picture of a quietly tormented genius. I would recommend this book to anyone, not just "Alice" lovers.
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Summary: Definatively Dodgson
Review: I had a single purpose when I picked up this book. To learn, study and understand the works of an author known world-wide as Lewis Carroll. For those who think they can understand the "Alice" books, I highly recommend that you read this biography. Not only did it provide insight to the man, it provided insight to his era, which influenced his works. Though tedious at times, it helps to clarify his works, and dismiss past mis-interpretations. A must read for anyone who thinks they know the man and "Alice".
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Summary: The Definitive Biography
Review: Morton N. Cohen explores Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, or Lewis Carroll's life from every applicable angle with the exception of the question of his sexuality. He explores the darker side of the man, the mathematical genius, the writer of melancholy poems when growing up, the photographer, the artist, and so many more. I have not read many books about Mr. Carroll for comparison but I can assure you that this is a well-researched, in-depth literary study of one of the most brilliant minds in the history of writing. With drawings, letters, and yes, photography (not necessary but oh well), this book truly knows what it's talking about. Cohen is a true Carroll archivist, perhaps the most definite source on the man. I advise this book to any literature fans or any quick thinkers who may have spotted the logic puzzles or hidden foibles of life that are so frequently reappearing in the Hunting of the Snark, Phantasmagoria, the two Alice books and of course, the assorted verse Mr. Carroll has passed on to us. A marvelous read.
Rating: 
Summary: out-dated but still worth a look
Review: 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'.
Rating:
Summary: A 5-star portrait with 4-star information
Review: The only real negative about this beautiful and compassionate portrait is the fact that there is some newer information that conflicts with some of what is present in this book. Another edition of the book to address these issues would be welcome, but that doesn't mean this book is obsolete! It is still a very interesting and well-written account of the life of C. L. Dodgson, the man who would become better known as Lewis Carroll, and this book shouldn't go overlooked. If you are only mildly interested (or perhaps not very much at all) in the subject, you will likely find that this book is capable of holding your attention until the end. An excellent starting point for budding Carrollians, but less an excellent *ending*.
Rating: 
Summary: Dodging some aspects of Dodgson
Review: This is a very erudite book and Cohen knows a huge amount. I would have given it five stars except that I do think he dodges the issue of Carroll's sexuality. Cohen tries to tie up the unhappy diary entries Carroll made around 1860s with the contacts he had (or didn't have) with Alice at that time. But they just DON'T tie up, and it reduces Cohen's credibility that he tries. Carroll was a very unusual man and very much part of his historical era, so hard for us to understand, but now Karoline Leach has put 2 & 2 together (not necessarily making 4) it does seem time to move on from the old Victorian vision of asexual "Lewis Carroll" . (And, as a fan of Carroll's works, I'd be glad for the world to move on from seeing him as some sort of paedophile!)So I really wish Cohen had addressed this.
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