carstairs38's Full Review: C. S. Lewis - The Chronicles of Narnia
I was in third grade when I first found my way into Narnia. It was via a wardrobe in a spare room with Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy. I was immediately hooked, bought the set, read all the books, and got some of my friends to read them as well. A few years later, I reread them, enjoying them just as much the second time. Recently, I set out to reread the series for the first time in 15 years. Guess what. I enjoyed them just as much this year as I have previously.
The basic premise of the series is that kids from our world are called into a magical world called Narnia. Trees are alive, and mythical creatures are common place. Even the animals can talk. The kids are called in a time of crisis to help the inhabitants of Narnia overcome the forces of evil. Each book stands alone, although some of the characters appear in subsequent books.
Actually, there is a debate on what order the series should be read in. Personally, I prefer the order they were written in because that's the order I read them in. Arguments can be made for reading them in chronological order (The Horse and His Boy and The Magician's Nephew were written fifth and sixth even though they take place third and first). Ultimate, very little from one book carries over to the next, so it doesn't matter. You really could read them in random order and enjoy them just as much. The one exception to this is The Last Battle which really does need to be read last to be fully appreciated.
Since C.S. Lewis was a Christian, these books read on different levels. There is the simple fantasy adventure, which is pure fun. And that can be all you get out of the stories. But just below the surface is a deeper meaning. They worked equally well as allegories, and I usually miss symbolism, so this is fairly easy to get. The stories are not strict allegories, but there is at least one truth from each book that you can take with you into our world.
I'm going to talk about the books in the order written here, although I will mention chronological order if it differs.
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy are staying in a giant house in the country to avoid the bombing of London during World War II. One day, while exploring, they discover that there is a world hidden through a forgotten wardrobe. It leads to Narnia, which is under a curse. It is always winter but never Christmas and the four kids are there to lift the spell. If they can survive betrayal to the White Witch.
Prince Caspian Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy find themselves literally pulled back to Narnia. Hundreds of years have passed and the country is in decline. The rightful heir to the crown needs help overthrowing his evil uncle to restore Narnia to it's former glory.
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader Edmund and Lucy along with their cousin Eustace find a magic painting that returns them to Narnia just as King Caspian is setting out on a quest to discover what happened to the seven Lords banished to the Eastern sees by his uncle.
The Silver Chair Eustace and his friend Jill are called to Narnia to find Caspian's son so he can become king.
The Horse and His Boy This book is set during the rein of Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy from book one (making this book third chronologically). Shasta, a slave boy, and his talking horse, must escape their owners and reach Narnia in time to warn of an impending attack.
The Magician's Nephew Chronologically, this book is first, since it tells the tale of how Narnia was created. Polly and Digory are tricked by his uncle into testing out some magic rings. They find themselves in a dying world but awaken danger. While trying to return the witch, they stumble into Narnia at a very important moment.
The Last Battle This one really should be read last as it tells of the destruction of Narnia. Yet the ending is truly wonderful as many friends from the previous books have cameos at the end.
These are some classics of kid's literature to be treasured by each generation. But don't let the fact that they were meant for kids stop you. Anyone can enjoy these timeless tales of fantasy.
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