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Summary: Not Just For Children
Review: I have not picked up these books to read for at least ten years and I can still "feel" the reality which C.S. Lewis created. The thing I remember most about this series is that it is almost sad in the end. Not because evil won, or any of the main characters died, but because the adventure ended when the final page was turned. The Narnia series can be enjoyed by all ages and maybe appreciated even a little bit more the older one becomes. The reader is invited to join a grand adventure of many exciting and unusual happenings that that brings you to tears and back to triumph, over and over again. Each book in this series has it's own begining and end, but all are tied together, the circle being completed with The Last Battle. Take a trip through the wardrobe, and see what is on the other side.
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Summary: The Last Battle
Review: When I read The Last Battlebeing 12 years old(now 13) all the things I didn't understand for some reasons in Narnia became clear and an utmost desire to re-read all the books came to me(now I know what shall I ask God when I am dead but that's private)but I decided to read The Last Battle first and than carry out this crazy plan.When it came to the last lines of the book a strange curious feeling alighted in my heart and is there still.With that feeling I re-read all the books again and saw what Narnia really is-the place where battles of good and evil take place.I've known it before but after reading The Last Battle those words became not only dry meaningless words , no, something much deeper than that,so deep that it hurts my soul when I think of it.All in all The Last Battle is as important as The Lion.... where Lewis shows his opinion of Christianity.So reading The Chronicles without having read The Last Battle means having wasted your time.
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Summary: C.S. Lewis's Intent
Review: C.S. Lewis's intent WAS to have this sequencing for the Chronicles of Narnia. This is clearly stated in the inside cover of (at least) one edition of the series (I believe it was this edition). Although C.S. Lewis wrote The Magician's Nephew after several of the other books in the series, he expressed his desire that it actually be considered the first book of the series. In reading several works on C.S. Lewis's life and writings, I have now learned several times that this was, in fact, his wish. In short, this sequencing is the only one that truly honors the author's intent. Before someone rants about the publishers not honoring the author's intent, he or she might do well to actually ascertain what the author's intent was. Regarding the series itself... This series is a work of art. While there is an obvious religious tone, it is not obnoxious or heavy-handed. Indeed, one could read the books as pieces of fantasy only, if desired. I have read and re-read the series many times over, and I find more to like (and learn) each and every time. It is remarkable to me that a man who wrote such fantastic non-fiction for adults could also write books as whimsical and wonderful as The Chronicles of Narnia.
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Summary: Absolutely enchanting, absolutely intelligent
Review: Each of these books is wonderful and entertaining in its own right, but as a series they are stupendous; each book sheds a bit more light on some episode or character elsewhere in the series, piecing together the Christian allegory Lewis intended. The books are written in such a fashion as to be enjoyed by readers of all ages, and Lewis's skillful blend of fantasy and mythology, combined with his artful storytelling, make each volume difficult to put down. The series follows the oft-repeated rule that Narnian time and "our time" (Lewis often addresses the reader directly in the first person) do not correlate, so that in "our world," two or three years might be hundreds of Narnian years, and vice versa. In this way, the children who enjoy the adventures in the books are privileged to witness and participate in crucial elements in Narnian history from Creation to "The Last Battle." As for the events themselves, they are an entertaining compendium of adventures, from daring rescues (The Silver Chair) to courageous explorations (The Voyage of the Dawn Treader), and from valiant struggles (Prince Caspian) to startling discoveries (The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe), among others. In each book and each adventure, readers will recognize Lewis for his crafty tale weaving, but upon closer examination, will find him ever the apologist as well, steering his observant readers toward Christ (or Aslan, as he is known in Narnia). These books are an absolute delight, and they possess the ever-elusive quality of appeal to the youngest child, as well as the well-read intellectual. As to the apparent controversy about the order in which the books were placed, I think it matters little whether one reads "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe" (book 2 in this set) or "The Magician's Nephew" (book 1 in this set) first, as it is easy to understand the argument for each after having read the books. If you prefer chronological order, read them in the order in which they come in the box; if not, read #2 first. Do read them though; they are a rare treat.
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Summary: Chronicles of Narnia
Review: I agree with these other folks who wish that publishers would honor the original order of these books. I am now beginning to read them to my five year old twins and find that the stories are capturing their young attentions and imagination just fine, even without reading them in so-called "chronological" order. Certainly C.S. Lewis was a great and gifted writer and we should leave it to him to know best. It may only be as an adult that you can really understand and appreciate the true chronology of these books, but unless they are presented to us originally in the author's order, we will be robbed the wonderful joy at discovering some of the deepest meanings about these stories. Is this not part of what makes them so timeless and makes C. S. Lewis such a gifted writer?
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Summary: Narnia has been in the back of my mind for years
Review: I read the Narnia Chronicles when I was about 9 years old and found them fascinating. The stories are rich and imaginative and I think they stimulated my creativity and imagination. I am 22 now, but I still remember the Narnia Chronicles fondly. I have read hundreds of novels in my life, and I have forgotten the details of most of the popular fiction novels. The Narnia Chronicles are a notable exception. I don't think I'll ever forget those unique stories. Every kid must dream of going away to a magical place like Narnia. I was talking to a woman recently who mentioned that she read the Narnia Chronicles to her son when he was about four. It's a great series to introduce your kids to. I was introduced to the series by a woman who actually gave me the whole series and recommended the Lion, the Witch, and The Wardrobe in particular. I'm glad I read those books because they are well-crafted and full of unique ideas that you really can't find anywhere else. The Narnia stories are of a much higher quality than 90 percent of the children's books on the shelves. I highly recommend the entire Narnia boxed set to any child or adult who enjoys imaginitive stories.
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Summary: Jason's review on the lion the witch and the wardrobe
Review: This is a very good book.I especially liked the part where they met the beavers and they had to go inside the dam.The way the described it made it sound really cool.I would recommend this book to anyone.I read it in one weekend. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
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Summary: Still One of the Most Enchanting Intro's to Fantasy
Review: This series is still being introduced into Elementary Schools with the first book, "The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe." The expressions of wonder on their faces and the questions they ask usually send them into the library for the second book. They also have a nice video that helps the children understand the book better. Still a favorite of mine after all these years!
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Summary: Honoring the author
Review: Just a note, that could perhaps be passed on to the publishers. Author's write what they do for a reason. C S Lewis wrote the Magician's Nephew AFTER he wrote the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and other Narnia chronicles. And Lewis did so for a reason. The Lion, The Witch and Wardrobe was written first to express his new understanding of Christianity, and another reason was to capture the spirit of the fantasy world he loved. As far as the order of these books, it took five books before he (Lewis) could bring himself to write the Magician's Newphew, because Lewis needed time to process how to write about the death of his own mother at age 9. Publishers should respect and honor the vision of the author and not just decide that they (the publisher) has figured out some new order of the books, as aif they knew more than the author did. Also more children are captured by the lure of the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, and then will continue to read more in the series after that. Thanks for listening.
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Summary: H. P. or The Chronicles?
Review: I am a fan of the Harry Potter series and The Chronicles of Narnia, but which is better? For my money, The Chronicles of Narnia. There is a higher sense of morality in the Chronicles. For instance, in Narnia, revenge is not acceptable, and even the traiter, Peter, is forgiven by Aslan-- whereas it's okay for Harry to get revenge on those who have been rude to him. The Chronicles have deep symbollic meaning which the child will return to when he or she is an adult reader. I read the Chronicles as a child and (as Lewis predicted his niece would do), I came back to them as an adult, re-read the entire series, and understood things I could not understand as a child. While I see Ms. Rowlings as an effective writer, very clever and very witty, I prefer Mr. Lewis' style. He and his close friend J.R.R. Tolkien probably wrote the most perfect prose of any writers of the 20th century. I place the Chronicles of Narnia in a small circle of books of the highest quality-- including "The Lord of the Rings" by Tolkien and "Castle of Wisdom" (which I highly recommend, and I do mean HIGHLY) by Rhett Ellis.
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