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Summary: this book is sweet!!
Review: you should get this book. it is so cool. my personal favorite was book 2.
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Summary: Great stories, wrong order
Review: It would be nearly imposible to say enough good things about C.S.Lewis' Chronicles, but don't buy this edition. While ordered chronilgically, these stories are not arranged as the author intended. It would be like re-writing the Odyssey to make sure is follows the proper sequence in time rather than as Homer told it.
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Summary: Do whatever you want
Review: This set is an amazing set of fairy tale literature. I loved it as a kid hearing my dad read it to us and I love it as an adult who draws on the spiritual parallels C.S. Lewis weaves so expertly. I recommend it to anyone and everyone who can read. Just be careful -- you'll want more when you're finished.Just a few comments on the chronological order debate: Who cares? You're the reader. Read the set in ANY order you want. I doubt you would get any lesser/greater pleasure from whichever form you chose. Why argue one way or the other? He happened to write them "out of order" but who's to say his intent was to have us read them that way? I have it on good authority that Lewis was FOR boxing the set in its chronological order. However, I don't think Lewis would care either way how anyone chose to read the books. The original purpose for writing the books was pure enjoyment, so bottom line: enjoy the books -- in any order you wish.
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Summary: AWSOME LOOK AND GREAT READING!
Review: THE BOOKS LOOK SO AWSOME! THE BOOKS ARE FUN TO READ AND IT IS EASY TO GET HOOKED!
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Summary: My all time favorite
Review: C.S.Lewis had said that "No book is really worth reading at the age of ten which is not equally (and often far more) worth reading at the age of fifty." This is so true about Narnia. I wasn't lucky to get my hands on this series when I was a kid, but I can imagine how it would absolutely fascinate a child, and how that child would then re-discover the books as an adult, seeing them in a totally different light. I have heard many people say that they had such experience. I highly recommend these books to everyone. It is never too late to fall in love with Narnia.
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Summary: Inventive, Moral, but Allegorically Puzzling
Review: After following Amazon.com's advice and re-reading these books as an adult, I can certainly agree that Lewis' novels change their character with the reader. I remembered these books as light-hearted fantasies (Dawn Treader being my favorite). I also remembered them being much longer. I came away with a couple of impressions. First, I'm anxious to start giving this collection to my nieces, nephews, and godchildren - but they're not old enough (drat!). Second, the Christian Motif cannot be ignored on an adult reading; I only vaguely remember Aslan being a sort of "Messiah-Lion" from an earlier reading. On the positive side, Lewis accomplishes a great deal by forcing us to see Christian history outside of our familiar context. Today's modern pantheists, atheists, and agnostics are so thoroughly steeped in Christianity that they don't recognize it at all. Refer to Chesterton's "The Everlasting Man" for a more studious treatment of the technique that Lewis applies. Unfortunately, the fantasy world that Lewis creates is not a perfect fit for the Christian allegory. The pre-existence of the Empress of Charn, for example contrasts with the creation of Narnia somewhat unfavorably. And at least in a macroscopic view, the universe Lewis creates lacks self-consistency, and diminishes the more contained world of Narnia. However, I feel this is nitpicking. The Chronicles of Narnia isn't meant to be dogma, but Christocentric childrens' books. Finally, the Chronicles of Narnia offers an excellent contrast to the Harry Potter tripe. The books are a worthwhile gift to any kid with a fascination with dragons, knights, magic and mythology, and ultimately serve to reinforce rather than degrade the Faith.
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Summary: The Chronicles of Narnia
Review: As an atheist with growing penchant to pantheism, I recommend these books. In 1974 at primary school in Canada, my teacher read a chapter a day to my class and I fell in love with the story. When my family moved back to Europe, my parents bought me the "Chronicles," so I would be able to complete reading them by myself.
The idea of Mr. Lewis was quite obviously to create a "Christian" story, but he went far beyond. Creating transient worlds inbetween worlds, imagining time machines etc., he has brought up far more questions than answering any.
I still reread these enchanting books regularily and find them a wonderful distraction - kind of fairytales for grown-ups (and for physicists).
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Summary: Inspiring, brilliant stories- my favorites books of all time
Review: Since many reviews before have given a synopsis of the books, I will just write about how amazing they are- every single thing about them. The first book I read out of the series was "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" and I could not put it down. Even now with the many times I have read it, it does not get old. There is a big conflict among the reviews as to which order to read them. It doesn't matter which one you read first, but I do suggest if you read LWW first, you must read the "Magician's Nephew" next. It gives the background of Queen Jadis, the introduction of Aslan and the creation of Narnia. In that book you learn little things such as where the wardrobe came from and why the so-called queen of Narnia made it winter (from LWW). It's wonderful to read of Aslan in MN, so when you first hear of Alsan's return (in LWW), you get that same wonderful feeling just like Peter, Susan and Lucy did. It's absolutely fascinating! In all of his books, he writes with such beautiful detail that anyone with the slightest bit of imagination can transport themselves to the moment.The Christian undertones are brilliant- truly an affirmation of faith. "Harry Potter" does not hold a candle to Narnia (for all of you who compare the two, though I think there's no comparision). For the first-time readers of the books, buy the paper back versions to see how you like them. You'll break down and buy the hardcover boxed set, as I did. They are my most treasured books that I have read a million times over and will for the rest of my life!
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Summary: Fantastic Imaginative Tale of Narnia
Review: This well-loved fantasy tale by C.S. Lewis is a passport to a most extraordinary place into magical lands and enchanted creatures. If you never been to Narnia, you can enter through any of the seven (7) books and meet Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy. They step through the wardrobe and so begins the tale of 'The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.' The story is about Aslan, the noble lion who freed Narnia from the spell of the White Witch. These are my favorite in the book collection because of the beautiful illustrations by Pauline Baynes. After you start one you'll want to read every one.
After The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe follows the tale of good 'Prince Caspian' and his army of Talking Beasts who conquered the Telmarines. Prince Caspian is later made King and goes on 'The Voyage of the "Dawn Treader"' through magic waters to the End of the World. In 'The Silver Chair' captive Prince Rilian escaped from the Emerald Witch's underground kingdom. 'The Horse and His Boy' tells of a talking horse and a boy prince saved Narnia from invasion. 'The Magician's Nephew' tells how Aslan created Narnia and gave the gift of speech to its animals. In 'The Last Battle' evil came to Narnia and Aslan led his people to a glorious new paradise. C.S. Lewis used his characters such as Aslan the Lion to illustrate the love of Jesus Christ. It also illustrates God's care and grace for all His creation. As in the last battle, God in the final days will lead His people to Heaven. Lewis wrote the stories for his granddaugher, Lucy which one of the character was named after her. Each story tells of the battle between good and evil of light and darkness, and the issues of faith and hope. C.S. Lewis has written so many great books during his time that's made an impact both young and old. Read his 'Space Trilogy,' 'The Screwtape Letters' and his masterpiece 'Mere Christianity.' I highly recommend them all!
Don't miss some excellent selected video viewing: if you can find the BBC release of a 6-VHS set of 'The Chronicles of Narnia' in a stunning LIVE production. Don't miss the documentary on 'The Life of C.S. Lewis: Through Joy and Beyond' narrated by Rev. Walter Hooper, C.S. Lewis' private secretary, ASIN: B000007QXZ and the movie 'Shadowlands' starring Anthony Hopkins as the Christian apologist. If you loved Narnia then try Lewis' 'Space Trilogy' (Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra, That Hideous Strength) any sci-fi fan would love, too. And, don't forget Peter Kreeft's 'Between Heaven and Hell' a fictious look into purgatory with the gathering of the minds of C.S. Lewis, Aldous Huxley and John F. Kennedy.
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Summary: A brilliant introduction to fantasy for children (& adults)
Review: C.S. Lewis' "The Chronicles of Narnia" is an excellent introduction to fantasy realms for children between 10-12, but older kids and adults will enjoy this series as well. Lewis was a contemporary and colleague of Tolkien, but his series is geared more toward the young and has a strong Christian bent, as well as being much lighter in tone. There are strong themes of faith, honesty, love, giving and friendship in each book. While each book stands alone, there is a clear continuity and many characters reappear in more than one tale.
One of the things I really liked was that Lewis was able to introduce new heroes and supporting characters in each story and get the reader to like them as much as the previous set. I also liked that there was often also a lesson for one of the supporting characters, usually an animal or other non-human, to learn to be better, such as the horse Bree overcoming his vanity.
Moving through all of these stories is the great Lion Aslan, an enigmatic, spiritual being who helps the various characters discover strengths within themselves and overcome obstacles. Aslan is like a god/creator/deity who leads our heroes to greater wisdom.
Book 1: The Magician's Nephew features Digory and Polly and tells how they let the White Witch into the world of Narnia and how they met Aslan and witnessed the birth of Narnia.
Book 2: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. One of the most loved of the series, introduces the Pevensie children Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy. Edmund experiences the greatest character arc and Aslan gives the greatest gift. Very strong Christian allegory in this tale.
Book 3: The Horse and His Boy. This is a tale during the Narnian golden age, and features a boy named Shasta and horse named Bree. They journey from Calormen to Archenland, so we see some of the other lands in the world of Narnia, and learn about the King of Archenland and his sons Cor and Corin, as well as a spunky young princess.
Book 4: Prince Caspian. Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy return to Narnia, but centuries after their Golden Age, to aid Prince Caspian claim his rightful throne. There is a particularly moving sequence involving the four children's faith in Aslan.
Book 5: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Edmund, Lucy and their cousin Eustace Scrubb are pulled into Narnia to travel with Caspian as he journeys to the ends of the world in search of his father's loyal advisors. Eustace undergoes great changes in this story. Lots of strange and inventive realms here.
Book 6: The Silver Chair. This is the darkest of the series, where Eustace and new character Jill travel with the pessimistic Puddleglum (a Marsh-wiggle) into the wastelands and encounter the Green Witch and a mysterious prince, plus a Dante-like journey through Underworld.
Book 7: The Last Battle. When a false Aslan is spotted throughout the land, and great changes come to Narnia, Eustace and Jill return to aid King Tirian and the unicorn Jewel. This one is very heavy with Biblical parallels, along with the beginning of the end and the rebirth.
Read and enjoy!
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