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Summary: Christian readers for children.
Review: These are book with very strong Christian background.
Although they are nicely written I'm not sure I'd recommend
them to friends with different opinion about religion;
instead, I'd rather go for Grimm's tales, or Tolkien's ring
series if you prefer the same genre.
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Summary: A Teacher's Opinion
Review: I teach 4th grade at a small Christian school in NW Arkansas. During my last year in college I read the Chronicles of Narnia and decided my students should not have to wait that long to discover the magical world of Narnia. To remedy that I have been reading "The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe" to them a little bit each class day. They absolutely love it! More often than anything else I hear, "Can you read to us?" I plan on introducing other books to them throughout the year so that they can see what magic books can bring to our lives.
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Summary: Some orderly observations about ordering Narnia.
Review: The order in which the Narnia Chronicles should be read and published is a matter of great controversy. In my view, the answer to this question lies in a proper understanding of the deeper level of Narnia. When read on an adult level, the Narnia Chronicles function as a powerful medium used by Lewis to impart powerful spiritual truths about Christianity and theology. But these spiritual truths are conveyed more by Biblical allusions than by rigid allegory. This also has implications for the order of the volumes in this series. The publishers of this edition have elected to follow the chronological order of the series: 1. The Magician's Nephew; 2. The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe; 3. The Horse and His Boy; 4. Prince Caspian; 5. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader; 6. The Silver Chair; 7. The Last Battle. The chronological order makes the books more strictly allegorical than they really were intended to be, and gives the impression that they are an extended allegory rather than incidental allusions, an incorrect impression in my view. Despite all the talk about allegory, it seems to me that Lewis is more fond of incorporating Biblical allusions where and when he pleases, rather than working with a strict and rigid allegory that tightly binds the plot. Certainly the central Biblical themes of creation, fall, redemption and consummation are present, and form the broad chronological coat-hanger on which the series rests. But ultimately Lewis does not want us to become obsessed with chronology, but with content. Thus there is something to the vehemence with which so many readers argue that the books must be read in the order in which they were first published, namely: 1. The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe; 2. Prince Caspian; 3. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader; 4. The Silver Chair; 5. The Horse and His Boy; 6. The Magician's Nephew; 7. The Last Battle. While it is true that this originally published order is not chronological, it does enhance the process of discovery about the magical world of Narnia, and slowly uncovers various aspects of its history. It must be conceded that in a letter written in 1957 (published in "Letters to Children"), Lewis did appear to state a mild preference for the chronological order. But in that same letter Lewis concluded: "So perhaps it does not matter very much in which order anyone read them." Surely Lewis' own conclusion is correct. Although my personal thoughts are that the originally published order is perhaps to be marginally preferred, in the end each book is a separate story and an independent glimpse into the exciting world of Narnia. It is the understanding of the allusions that deserves our attention, not an artificial reconstruction of a complicated allegory. These allusions do not need to be artificially joined together in a strict chronological sequence to be enjoyed - they are equally profound and enjoyable as they were read by the first readers, namely, in the originally published order.
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Summary: The greatest of all children's books (in my opinion)
Review: These books are a must read for everyone. Although children's books, I get more enjoyment out of them as an adult than I did as a child. They are books to read again and again. The brilliant imagery makes you feel a part of this beautiful world created by C.S. Lewis. It is fantasy taken to its most compelling, most beautiful. Lewis explores the themes of honor, loyalty, tolerance, compassion and love through vivid imagination and myth. These books reflect the best in the human spirit.
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Summary: Writers trickz
Review: I adored this series as a child, starting with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and now my children love it. I read the stories in the order they were published and it was always a source of pleasure, tying one story into the next, especially The Magician's Nephew and The Last Battle. CS Lewis baits the reader with Eustace not knowing about Jesus Christ to get the reader interested in following up or to frustrate the reader (you know when you are reading a book and you are saying look out, this is going to happen and the character cannot see it). I loved this series so much, I used to wait for Aslan to take me away from my mundane life. I longed for adventures like these children had. Now my children long for that. When they have children I will introduce them to these books too. They are truly timeless classics.
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Summary: Classic Fantasy That All Should Enjoy
Review: After reading the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, I found myself wondering if I would ever find a series so spell-binding as the one J.R.R Tolkien created. Then I came upon the Chronicles of Narnia, which my younger brother had read and enjoyed tremendously. I later found out that Lewis was a good friend of Tolkien's and this also influenced my resolve to read the books. I began reading with "The Magician's Nephew", and loved the creativity and believablity that Lewis created in the book. The characters were well-developed and interesting, though not as memorable as the characters found the latter books. So I continued and read them all, not pausing in the slightest, because I was so enraptured by the originality and style of writing. The books that stand out most for me are "The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe", which is an instant classic for anyone, "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader", which had the most action and a great ending, and "The Last Battle", which is excellent beyond words and reunites all the characters from the previous books. "Prince Caspian" and "The Silver Chair" are also enthralling books. "The Magician's Nephew" is a weaker book, but made for a good introduction, I personally think reading "The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe" as the introduction would strengthen the series. And "The Horse and His Boy" was a side story, basically to tell about the Empire of Cashmere. Overall I was extremely impressed, the plot line was creative and the writing style was captivating. In my book this series ranks right along side The Lord of the Rings as brillant fantasies none have seemed to match. On a simple level this book is merely a fanastic story where animals talk and demons roam, and heroes emerge victorious. On more advanced level the books impart religious lessons that should be taught and explained to the children who read the books. On this higher level of understanding the books open up to allow, even older readers to enjoy them. A recommended book for all ages because along with swordplay, this book gives many important life lessons.
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Summary: A fantasy world about the real world: my analysis of Narnia
Review: On the level of children, the Narnia Chronicles function as a perfectly comprehensible and exciting fantasy adventure about children who are magically transported into the world of Narnia, a parallel world with fantastic creatures (fauns, giants, dwarves, and witches) and exciting events (battles, journeys, and voyages). Each story functions independently, and features children from the real world who are faced with a quest to help the Narnians, a quest they complete with the vital involvement of the great Lion, Aslan. The Harry Potter series - often regarded as a worthy successor of the Narnia series - is a success because it mirrored our real world. But the Narnia tales are superior and successful for different reasons. They are more demanding on the reader and more imaginative precisely because they doesn't mirror the real world. And that is their strength. Full of suspense, fantasy, excitement, and adventure, when assessed purely as an imaginative story for children, the Narnia Chronicles are worthy of the success they has enjoyed. But when read on an adult level, the Narnia Chronicles function as a powerful medium used by Lewis to impart powerful spiritual truths about Christianity and theology. Readers familiar with the Bible will especially find Biblical allusions numerous and recognizable. In "The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe" there are allusions to Satan's deceptive schemes in promising mankind kingship over the world, as well as to the death and resurrection of Christ as a substitutionary atonement in saving sinners from Satan (p.165ff). This cannot be regarded as a strict allegory, because otherwise one will be quick to point out its shortcomings (in Scripture it is God's justice, not Satan, that Christ must make a deal with). "Prince Caspian" portrays spiritual warfare, showing the importance of our sufficiency being in Christ and not in ourselves (p.270). It also demonstrates the folly of atheism and importance of living by faith and not by sight, since God's invisible nature does not mean he does not exist (p.150). "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" presents a vivid portrait of a sinner as a dragon that needs Christ to take off the scales of his old nature and dress him in the clothes of a new nature (p.155ff). One of the highlights of the series, it depicts a journey to the end of time as a geographical journey to the end of the world, portraying time as a place. "The Silver Chair" emphasizes the truth of Deuteronomy 6 that the signs of God's Word need to be carefully remembered and obeyed, no matter what the appearances (p.24-25). Sin is clearly the fault of man (p.123), and the only solution is to drink from Christ the living water, for there is no other source of water apart from him (p.20-21). "The Horse and the Boy" marvellously shows how by the providence of God, Christ is behind all the events of our life, even hurt and pain, working for good (p.175) - "It wasn't luck at all really, it was Him!" (p.180). "The Magician's Nephew" reflects on the motifs of creation and fall, as evil enters a beautiful world where a man and his wife are king and queen (p.142). And appropriately "The Last Battle" features an antichrist (donkey in a lion's skin) with its terrible result - "he had never dreamed that one of the results of an ape's setting up a false Aslan would be to stop people believing in the real one." (p.92). Complete with apocalyptic imagery of the sun going blood red (p.196), there is a final battle which ushers in eternal life, painted by Lewis in vivid colours. The key to the whole series, however, is evident in "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader", where Aslan says "This was the very reason why you were brought to Narnia, that by knowing me here for a little, you may know me better there." About the real world, Aslan observes "There I have another name. You must learn to know me by that name." (p.270). This is an apparent inconsistency in the Narnia Chronicles, because none of the characters actually seem to know Christ in the real world - Eustace doesn't even know Adam and Eve ("The Silver Chair" p.40). Yet it is clear that Lewis wants our understanding of Aslan in the world of Narnia to lead to a growing knowledge of Christ in the real world. Like Christ, Alsan inspires, comforts, and guides. Meeting Aslan evokes a sense of awe, fear and delight ("The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe", p.86), because he is "both terrible and good" (p.140ff), paralleling the holiness and mercy of the only Saviour Jesus Christ. In all the upheavals and conflicts of Narnia, there is one constant: Aslan. In light of these profound spiritual truths underlying the story-line, one must be compelled to acknowledge the enduring significance of Lewis' achievement in the Narnia Chronicles, and agree that this series has rightfully garnered a status among the literary classics. Even Lewis, however, has weaknesses. Why the "good guys" needed to resort to occultic practices such as astrology and use of crystals was beyond me. Moreover, the occasional use of expletives such as "Lor", "gosh" and "golly" (once even "Gawd") seemed to me a thinly-veiled form of blasphemy. Particularly puzzling is the suggestion of a kind of limited universalism in "The Last Battle", as Aslan accepts the unbeliever Emeth's service to the false god Tash as service rendered to him (p.205). But these are minor quibbles, not foundational criticisms. Narnia may exist only in Lewis imagination and ours, but a journey there will not be without profit. Lewis has given us a legacy that will not only entertain us with a sparkling and imaginative fantasy world, but will remind us of very real spiritual truths about Jesus Christ. "All worlds draw to an end, except Aslan's own country" ("The Last Battle" p.111) and those who know Him will indeed live forever.
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Summary: This is why I love to read...
Review: the Narnia Chronicles is one of the greatest escapes of all time. Strangely, I didn't read all these books until I was in my twenties. I had read The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe when I was younger, but I guess I just never got into it, back then. Now I love fantasy novels, and there's an extra level of appreciation as an adult with the Narnia series, since you have a better understanding of C.S. Lewis' background as a Christian scholar (for the record, I'm not Christian, and found this aspect fascinating). It also makes you think twice when you see a random squirrel scamper by.
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Summary: A page turner
Review: As I child, the room in my house was next to a dark closet containing a large water heater and I would daydream about passages and hidden worlds that lay behind that water heater. Later, when I came upon The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, I eagerly read about one of those hidden worlds, tucked just beyond the neglected places and never forgot it. Now as a father, I can't wait for my kids to grow old enough to find the same -- hmmm, perhaps I'll build a wardrobe that does have a secret back room, and leave these Chronicles and other stories there to be discovered. 5 stars for the story, but it is more of a children's story -- it doesn't give you the feeling of a deep vast history behind the worlds in the way that Lord of the Rings or the Hobbit does. Still, even if you're not reading this to a kid, it would make a perfect airline read, or an afternoon's escape.
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Summary: The Chroniclesof Narnia
Review: From the bottom of Bism to the top of Aslan's mount these books are the greatest, beaten only by the very book that they emulate, the Bible.
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