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Summary: A litararey masterpiece
Review: This book is one of the greatest fictional creations ever!It has all the elements that make such a work,and is undoubtably wonderful.A true artwork.
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Summary: This book ******* sucks!!!
Review: I don't believe why this book is so good. I read it and thought to myself what is so special about this book. Some spoiled british kids come and save the world and say "Hullo". Then there is the main man lion Aslan. He makes some talking animals that save the spoiled british kids every second. These kids are allways hungry, in 3rd grade, sleep 15 hurs a day and are retarded and have no phisical ability. These kids have never had any hardship. When they are in trouble they never escape, a 10 foot rat saves them. I don't belive this series. It is a pice of crap!
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Summary: One of my favorit!
Review: I have read all to the narnia novels and everyone is original and has a good twist in the plot. If you are are christian and have not read this book, READ IT!!! If you have not read the book, you are missing a lot.(even if you are not a christian.)C.S. Lewis is a good writer and I have read many fantasy novels. The books are about kids who go to a magical land and do the good vs. evil stuff. In my house, I have 2 chronicals of narnia series. The book gives good insights. The books all seem to be for kids only but the book is good for everyone. My dad reads this book and he even studies it! Overall, buy the books!
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Summary: A rare and precious fantasy story...
Review: As a young kid in early elementary school, I read The Chronicles of Narnia, enjoying the wonderful and delightful stories while oblivious to the various analogies and deeper lessons. But I learned one lesson that concretely influenced my life and personal development.
As I read about the interactions and behavior of the various characters, I came to realize, through the character of Eustace, how corrosive and inwardly focused the cynical attitude that I was toying with in my own life and considering adopting could become. While I didn't abandon skepticism as a portion of my personality, I abandoned cynicism after reading the Narnian Chronicles. Twenty years later, I still think that was a wise choice.
I think that the highest praise one can make of a book is that it changed your life in some concrete way, big or small. The Narnian Chronicles sit on that narrow shelf of such books for me.
Of course, such interactions with books vary by individual, yet I think the Narnian Chronicles are worthwhile even if one doesn't experience such an impact, based on factors other reviewers here have adequately covered. I mention my experience just to let you know that this book (or set of books) has potential to go beyond just another "Great book!" to be a rare and precious piece of one's reading history.
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Summary: Fond Memories
Review: I remember enjoying the Narnia stories as the first SERIES of books I had ever read. It prepared me for the more serious undertaking of reading Tolkien a few years later. I thoroughly enjoyed the books, and although I scrupulously adhered to the original order of publication, there's no reason to suppose the author intended them to be read in that order (and, as a previous comment says, he later responded to this subject in writing and recommended reading them in chronological order vs publishing order). Should we only read the first book he published in the series just because that's all he originally intended to write? Wagner pretty much wrote the Ring cycle backwards because he kept deciding he needed more and more background, but I don't think anyone suggests THOSE should be taken in the order they were conceived
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Summary: Nothing like Narnia
Review: These are indeed great books to read for all ages. I have been reading them since I was ten...in truth, these books have been a great boost to my imagination (more than any other book).
However, I do have a question...I have noticed that there are several people mentioning that "The Magician's Nephew" was originally book #6?! I have owned my sets for about 15 years and it is book #1...not that it makes much of a difference...the genius of these books is that they can be read in any order (but its more fun if you can read them in chronological order) ;-)
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Summary: Over-rated, over-praised
Review: I have never understand the hype about these books. I read the first one years ago, and finally got around to reading them all. And my questions remain. Are they classics because, in a cynical age, they are so lacking in irony, in complexity, in questions rather than answers? Are they classics because they are so wooden, the children speaking in ways only a childless adult would wish children would speak? Are they classics because the Christian symbolism is so overt as to feel like a knock on the head? Are they classics because they make sure all the right people get rewarded, and all the wrong people get punished? As a long-time reader, a long-time Christian, and a long-time fan on fantasy, I can only say "here, yet again, the wonders of hype, the tricked up glitter of good PR."
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Summary: One of my favorite series of books ever
Review: I started reading these books in grade school, then continued on to "Letters to C.S. Lewis". Imagine my chagrin when I found out that the author of one of my favorite series had passed away. One of my first brushes with mortality, I suppose.
They are still just as enjoyable to me now that I am an adult as they were when I was small, which is why I find them good read-alouds. Each book is a quick read, but doesn't have the simplistic tone of some YA novels.
I don't understand the ire some people are expressing at the reordering of the stories, implying that this is an affront to Mr. Lewis. I reordered my boxed set many years ago after reading in "Letters to C.S. Lewis" that the way this new edition is ordered (Magician's Nephew #1, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe #2, etc.) is the way Mr. Lewis himself suggested they be reordered. I do, however, join in the objection to the clear implication of co-authoring. These books were *not* written by "C.S. Lewis et. al." They were written my Mr. Lewis himself. Period.
If you enjoy this book, I suggest you rent the videos of the live-action movies that were shown on PBS some years ago. I know there are videos for "The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe" and "The Silver Chair"; I am not certain about the others. I find them extremely faithful to the books, and much better than the cartoon version of "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe," which I feel has a very dated 70's-ish look
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Summary: A captivating series, but not necessarily about God.
Review: C.S. Lewis captured my imagination when I first read these books a few years ago at the age of 17. I was holed up in some faraway country where I couldn't speak the native language, but at night before drifting to sleep, I was able to travel to a faraway world where everything was an entirely new experience with characters that you develop strong bond with. Some may like to pound the Christian element into this series of books, but don't feel alienated from reading this books if you disagree. These are fantasy novels that can be enjoyed by anyone of any or no particular religious background. No child or adult should be deprived of an unforgettable journey into the incredible land of Narnia
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Summary: The most important book of your childhood
Review: The Chronicles of Narnia, despite the master story time line, should begin for the child with "The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe." This magical adventure will have children opening their minds as far wide as they open every closet, drawer, and pantry in the house, as they search for their very own magical land of Narnia. And what they may discover is that the land does in fact, exist for them, too.
The remainder of the Chronicles should be read within the "master" timeline, as a reader's own natural curiosity draws him or her to want to fully understand the world and the characters who inhabit it. And when you are complete, the reader should shelve the books delightfully for several years, and begin again with the new stories contained within that changed perception and experience can now interpret. A must read for any age.
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