This is the "centenary edition", it seems - Lewis Carroll (the Rev. Charles Dodgson) died in 1898, in his mid-sixties, after a blameless bachelor life mainly spent teaching mathematics. It is edited by Hugh Haughton, who has suppled copious notes and a (predictably lengthy) introduction. The Tenniel illustrations, which have become almost inseparable in most people's minds from the text, are duly reproduced, and the editor reminds us that Tenniel found Carroll difficult to work with and was reluctant to face the second book. Frankly, I always found the Alice stories rather oppressive, almost nightmarish, but this cannot be a widespread reaction since their vast popularity over several generations speaks for itself.