Rating: 
Summary: The Voyage Of The Dawn Treader
Review: This book is a great book for kids around the middle school age, but me being a senior in high school, i do belive this book was to childish for me. i personally do not like the talking animals and the Harry Potter like theam this book has to it.
But this book is a great adventure as well as mysterious with the dragons, heros, evil vilians, monsters, lords, creatures,pirates and talking animals.
Although reading this book does make you want to read the whole seven series.
I would recommend this book to children around the ages of 11 to 14. its a great adventure book for children and they will love it if they like Harry Potter.
Rating: 
Summary: Don't Tamper With Perfection
Review: (please note that this review concerns only the new publications)
The Chronicles of Narnia are perfect books. They are wonderful for children and adults, and can be read again and again. C. S. Lewis was a brilliant author and theologian, and was competent in what he was doing. I have been reading these books since I was young enough to pick up a book, and I was horrified when I found out they were reprinting them in chronological order! Why have the publishers decided to tamper with the order? reading these books in chronological order spoils all of the surprise and magic out of the first visit to Narnia (in The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe), because we already know what's going on. You're not supposed to know about the lightpole or who the professor is yet! Things don't always need to be put in chronological order. If you're going to read them, please read them in the correct order: 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, and 7) The Last Battle
Rating: 
Summary: A true classic
Review: As a child, my dad would read this to me and my brother every night before we went to sleep. We loved it and made it through the books many times. Later, I went back and read them and was blown away by how deep they are. Kids will love the books for the story, but adults will also enjoy the religious symbolism in the book. I guess that is why my Dad could stand to read it to us night after night. These books are fantastic - every one of them has its great moments.
Also, if you like these, you might also look at Lewis's lesser-known space trilogy ("Out of the Silent Planet", "Perelandra" and "That Hideous Strength"). These don't get nearly the acclaim that the Narnia books do, but are very good in their own right. The three books are kind of a progression, but don't need to be read in order. Also, the first book is science fiction, the second fantasy and the third a mix of sci-fi, fantasy and horror. If you only read one of the three, read "Perelandra".
Rating:
Summary: A Box of Chronicles
Review: C.S Lewis' "The Chronicles of Narnia" is an extraodinary series, no question about it. This seven book set of fantasy novels is full of adventure, wonder, depth and allegory, and is a great read again and again, no matter what your age.
There are many countries to explore within these books. There's the england-like Narnia with it's talking animals and creatures of Greek mythology, the Arabia-like Calormen with its verbose warriors and horrible gods, the bleak Ettinsmoor with its bumbling giants, the eastern seas with its breathtaking wonders, the western wilds and its enchanted garden, the high, balmy Archenland, and the fantastic Aslan's country. There are lots of characters to meet too. The fauns, the centaurs, unicorns, pegasus, dragons, werewolves, witches, many a talking beast and of course Aslan himself, the great wild Lion, Narnia's savior. There are kings to be crowned, feasts to be eaten, battles to be fought and lessons to be learned. A marvellous place to read about, absolutely.
Throughout the stories are these beautiful, evocative illustrations and maps by Pauline Baynes, which enchance Lewis' description of Narnia, making it come even more alive.
Lewis was a devoted Christian, and his faith shines through in all his written works, particularly within Narnia. Both the wonders and temptation of the Garden of Eden is captured perfectly in "The Magician's Nephew". In "The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe", we see the joys, sorrows and purpose of the savior, Aslan the Lion (who is similar to our savior Jesus Christ). "A Horse And His Boy", by way of Shasta's adventures in Calormen, plays out Proverbs 16v9: "In his heart man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps". As he heads towards Narnia, the great Lion guides him to his destination, even if he doesn't know it. In "Prince Caspian" we see people who refuse to believe in Aslan, dismissing it as myths just because his appearance was so long ago, in the same way that many people dismiss Jesus and his miracles because all we have 2000 years on are his stories and teachings. In "Voyage of the Dawn Treader", among other things, we see the ever critical Eustace turned into a dragon, and only then does he see how horrid he has been. With Aslan's help, he is stripped of his scales and bathed in water, very similar to the Christian baptism and the cleansing of sins through Christ. In "The Silver Chair", we follow as the temptations and tribulations of Jill and Eustace looking for Prince Rillian, uncannily similar to the doubts and troubles of Christians struggling agaist the world. And in "The Last Battle", we see the apocalypse, the end of the world, based roughly around the Biblical book of Revelation. It's always nice to read book that work on a couple of levels.
If you're going to get all the Chronicles in one go, I'd recommend this boxset over the paperback ominbus alternative. For one, the books are seperate so more than one person can be reading the series at the same time, and the thinner books are far easier to handle than a great big thick one, particularly if you're reading on the train, like I often do. Plus, a boxset always looks nicer than an unnaturally-thick paperback on the shelf, I think. The boxset is arranged and numbered in chronological order, as a real history would be. It's not my personal preference (I prefer the order they were written in), but you can always switch the books around in the box to whatever order you like (unlike the paperback, which is set in chronological order pretty much permanently unless you start ripping pages out!).
A great fantasy series, a great allegory, great illustrations and great writing, all in one box. Highly, highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Truly Fantastic
Review: Clives Staples Lewis has created a mythical world which absolutely captures the human mind. The Chronicles of Narnia contain exciting plots, which all converge upon each other at the finally of the series: The Last Battle. Through out the books weaves the morals and beliefs of Christianity. These books do a wonder job of telling the story of the Bible, from the instantaneous creation of the world to the death of Aslan (Jesus). The way God cares about every one and desires us to enjoy life through Him, to the last battle and final days at the end of the world (of course Lewis did not know what was going to happen, yet it is still an interesting idea). In one of the best written books of all time, the land of Narnia comes alive with lovable and evil characters. The battle between good and evil is made abruptly apparent in this book as a small country goes through its history fighting for what is right. Light and darkness collide in the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe as four kids explore the land which they will rule. For a time it appears as though the evil side emerges victorious; but it is found that the White Witch as not the ability to peer far enough back into the depths time. This book it one of the most important of the set, because contained in it is the most important message of all time. My father used to read the Chronicles of Narnia to me when I was younger, now I read them on my own. When he did this he stressed, Christianity is having the relationship with God, like the youths had with Aslan. I think these are very well written books and I would encourage any one to read. I uphold C.S. Lewis as a great writer of the centuries and I praise his books (all of them) as magnificant.
Rating:
Summary: The Chronicles of Narnia- A novel resonse project
Review: For my book club evaluation I chose a set of books rather than just one book. I chose The Chronicles of Narnia, by C.S. Lewis. The Chronicles of Narnia are a set of seven books, The Magician's Nephew, The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, The Horse and His Boy, Prince Caspian, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, The Silver Chair, and The Last Battle. These books are fantasy/adventure books that follow a land, called Narnia, through time. I liked these books because they didn't follow a person through a story. I have never heard of a story like this, so I find the idea to be original, but simple. Each book takes place at a different time and follows the adventurous life of the ruler of Narnia. This is my favorite set of books that I have read because they are adventure/fantasy, which is my favorite category of books, but also because they are different from any set of books that I have read. I was introduced to these books from the Harry Potter books, written by J.K. Rowling. When I was finding information about her I read an interview that said her favorite books as a child were The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis, so I thought since I liked Harry Potter so much I would read her favorite books to see what they were like.
Rating:
Summary: The story of our planet, with a magical twist.
Review: I have read these books over and over again. These stories are entertaining, exciting, and easily read. The magical setting, heinous villians, and courageous heros are enough to keep anyone reading one book after the other. The most amazing part about the stories are their implied and spirital meaning. C.S. Lewis created the magical land of Narnia through reflections on both the bible and earth's history. As a devoted Christian, C.S. Lewis's writing is saturated with the word of God. While reading each story look for biblical connections, they are quite obvious. What I am getting at is that these books can help your spirital life, and better your understanding of our God (Christian perspective of course). These books have brought to light the character of our God in my life. From Genesis to Revelations, the sacrifice of Aslan by the white witch and the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. These are obvious and beautifully illustrated in these stories. I hope that everyone who reads this review will consider looking into these children stories for adult content.
Rating:
Summary: great reading alound to your older children
Review: I read this collection in its entirety aloud over our first homeschooling year with my 5th grader. She loved it! It is a great book for readig aloud to older children, because of the great prose and amazing fantasy story-telling. It has interesting little illustrations throughout the book, but not too much to detract from the story. You have to use your imagination with Narnia! Every child should have these fabulous stories read to them (not too young, though.)
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Stories!!
Review: I truly enjoyed reading this series when I was a teenager. To dwell and soar through these books took me to another world--Narnia. I was with the characters through it all and experienced everything they experienced. I still have the set in my book collection. When I am feeling I need to go back to a child-like state for a time; I will reach for one of these books and go to my other world away from the problems of this world! They have great moral and hidden truths within these pages so beware...you might learn a thing or two with this set.
Rating:
Summary: The best fantasy series ever!
Review: If I could I would give The Chronicles of Narnia 500 stars. The story is fresh and fascinating. The world of Narnia is how our world should be with humans and animals and other fantstical creatures joing together for the greater good.The series starts with "The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe." Very accurate title because these are the important magical objects in this book. The shell of the story is set during WWII when the children of London are evacuated to the countryside in order to protect them from the air raids. Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy are sent to a country manor where they discover a wardrobe that transports them to the Magical world of Narnia where it is always winter, never Christmas, and even time flows different. We meet Mr. Tumnus the fawn and a kindly beaver couple who help the children escape the dreaded White Witch. Finally there is the incredible Aslan, the lion ruler of Narnia. With seven books in the series it is impossible to sum up them all here, but they are all worth reading. My recommendation is to buy the series and read it to your children (that way you don't have to feel guilty that you are enjoying the books as much as they are). Or just buy it for the magical feeling of being young and full of imagnination.
|
