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[The Chronicles of Narnia]: A Review

Hi y’all!

I am thrilled to be publishing my review of The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis. I’ve been thinking a lot about this review and how to synthesize a series that means so much to me and many other people. These books can be many things from simply enjoyable to life changing. They can inspire us to read more fantasy, more by C. S. Lewis or perhaps more religious works.

I decided to share my review more in the style of my Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings reviews where I assume that my readers have some experience already with Narnia and are familiar with the basics of the stories. These three series represent much of my childhood and beginning love for reading. So forgive me if I wax a bit overly poetic in my discussion of this favorite.

The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis showcase the entire history of the magical land of Narnia and the several children from our world that helped shape it’s destiny. According to Goodreads, “Journeys to the end of the world, fantastic creatures, and epic battles between good and evil—what more could any reader ask for in one book? . . . . For the past fifty years, The Chronicles of Narnia have transcended the fantasy genre to become part of the canon of classic literature. Each of the seven books is a masterpiece, drawing the reader into a land where magic meets reality, and the result is a fictional world whose scope has fascinated generations.”

This series really is one story with seven parts.

These books are not meant to be read alone. Each story is so connected to the others. I found that it was impossible to separate them as the whole is definitely greater that the sum of the parts. It was fantastic to read them all within about 6 weeks of each other because I had all the details bouncing around my head as I read. Like The Lord of the Rings , this series’ power and poignancy comes in the collection of all the stories together.

Favorite Characters:

Edmund has always been one of my favorite Narnian characters. I love his transformation through the series and the wisdom and loyalty he exudes.
Lucy is impossible not to like. Her faith, innocence, and courage are just lovely. And I admire her ability to always see Aslan and her deep love for Narnia.
Caspian goes on a beautiful journey as well through the series from unsure leader to sea faring King. I loved getting to know him better in several books and seeing the ways he changed Narnia for the better despite setbacks.
Eustace was a fun character to see develop in Narnia. I felt a range of emotions in reaction to him but I love where he ends–with a determination to fight for Narnia despite his fears.
I loved the combination of Shasta/Cor and Corin because they are such different characters yet were both likable. Shasta is a favorite of mine because he has courage to do good despite never learning the importance of courage.
Digory reminds me quite a bit of Edmund. He makes a nearly fatal mistake but learns from it and is able to be better, wiser for it. I love that we get to see him later in the series and see that he stays true to Narnia.
There are so many great Narnians to love! Puddleglum is such a fun character! Everything he says is so great. I laughed out loud several times at his dismal outlook on the world. But when all looks lost, I want this Marshwiggle by my side! Tumnus is the first Narnian we are introduced to and I love him from the moment he decides to be Lucy’s friend instead of her enemy. I also enjoyed Trufflehunter , Trumpkin (the DLF!), the Beavers, and Reepicheep who is potentially the only mouse I would truly like to meet. He is just a fantastic character from his intense loyalty and courage to his desires to see Aslan’s country. I also loved Puzzle because he is so kind and wants to good. Although his naivete is frustrating at times.

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A Few Thoughts on Aslan:

Aslan deserves a separate place in my review because he is my favorite character in ways no other could be. Naturally, he is a Christ figure in the series, and I was in awe of his creation, sacrifice, and judgment. I hope that when I see his face, I will feel the peace and strength that Lucy feels.
I found it fascinating to see how Aslan appears in each novel in the series. In LWW, he appears to everyone and everyone believes in him. In PC, it takes time for everyone to see him–only if they believe. In VDT, only a select few see Aslan. In SC, only Jill and Eustace seem to see him. In H&B, Shasta sees him several times but does not always realize it is Aslan. In MN, all see Aslan but react to him in varying ways. And finally in LB, Aslan’s identity is questioned although everyone has the opportunity to know him–but some choose not to.
The end of the series shows the potential to corrupt Aslan’s identity. We have some serious problems in the land of Narnia with the fake Aslan and combining of Aslan and the Calmoren God, Tash, into Tashlan. Some simply don’t believe in him at all. There are a lot of evil decisions and surprising betrayals. Hope seems lost several times. It’s fascinating to see the complexities in the land of Narnia and the way creatures and people view Aslan at the end of the world.
Aslan’s Country is intriguing and mysterious throughout the series. We get a glimpse of the mountains in VDT, Jill and Eustace travel to and from Narnia via Aslan’s Country in SC, and LD takes us into the heart of it. I loved the allegorical elements present there–rebirth, freedom from pain and suffering, and an understanding of Aslan himself.

Favorite Scenes from each book:

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe: The First Christmas, Dinner at the Beavers, The end when Aslan defeats the White Witch. Also Turkish delight and tea at Tumnus’ cave.
Prince Caspian: I enjoyed the battle sequence and the way Aslan wakes up the trees and takes back Narnia.
Dawn Treader: The last part of the journey to the edge of the world, Overcoming the darkness island, Lucy and the magician, Eustace the dragon
Silver Chair: Escaping the giants,Leaving the underworld, Puddleglum’s heroics with the fire
Horse and his Boy: The whole story is fantastic. Shasta running to warn Archenland and meeting Aslan, Shasta and Corin switch places, Aslan at the victory feast
The Magician’s Nephew: The creation of Narnia ( a beautiful sequence showcasing Aslan’s power and goodness), the wood between worlds, and the creation of the lamp post
Last Battle: Inside the stable and introduction into Aslan’s country

What We Can Learn from Narnia:

I love the simplicity of this story and the truth that is layered throughout.
Good will ultimately triumph over evil. This doesn’t mean that evil has no power or will not destroy anything of importance. For example, Queen Jadis is able to trap Narnia in eternal winter for 100 years. But she never understands the deep magic. Aslan defeats her by his sacrifice. Or when Shift creates a fake Aslan that leads Narnians astray, he is ultimately defeated (and eaten). While there are sacrifices made, all is right in the end.
Power of Darkness. I was surprised the dark and almost depressing moments in the series. Rilian’s captivity shows the power that evil and darkness can attain and the loss that cannot be fully made right in this life. The betrayals of the dwarves in the final book are particularly dark as well.
Importance of strong personal belief. Throughout the series, we encounter characters with varying levels of faith.We have those who believe in goodness in Aslan, those who are seduced by dark magic, and those who are figuring out their beliefs somewhere in the middle. I love the focus on faith and loyalty. And I wonder how is my faith?
Aslan’s country and rebirth, overcoming darkness with light, Aslan’s sacrifice on the Stone Table, the great door of judgment, “further up and further in,” Aslan himself as the Lion and the lamb

Tips for reading The Chronicles of Narnia:

Read the full series in a short time! This allows the individual books to become one story in your mind. Plus, they are surprisingly short so it’s doable.
Read at least one novel out loud to someone else. These are great novels to share with your kids, your siblings, your friends, your parents–anyone! And I think they are even more magical read out loud.
Only watch the movie adaptation for The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe . Don’t waste your time ruining characters with the others. You’re welcome.
Read the books in publication order, not chronological order. Why did we mess up Lewis’ original order? This was the first time I’ve read them in their publication order and I loved it! We get a new perspective on Narnia through the Pevensies’ eyes then see how Narnia was created and ended. This order focuses the on the connection between our world and Narnia.

The Narnia books are classics and favorites of mine for so many reasons. These books teach us the importance of faith, courage, strength and sacrifice. They are timeless for any reader young or old.

What do you love about Narnia? Do you prefer publication order or chronological order?

We Need to Talk About Books

The chronicles of narnia by cs lewis [a review].

The Chronicles of Narnia are classics of children’s and fantasy fiction with a strong and enduring following. Its clever fusion of Christian, Pagan and Classical elements, with easy storytelling, magic and talking animals, make it easy to enjoy. Yet it is common to hear people say they do not enjoy them as much in adulthood. The stories certainly contain elements that are more noticeable and less endearing to those old enough to question what they are told. My patience with it lasted until the final book. After that, I could not longer defend it.

I think I ought to start by saying I’m not going to be offering ‘Spoiler Alert’ warnings throughout this post. This post is mostly to offer food for thought for those of us who, like me, enjoyed The Chronicles of Narnia as children, but perhaps have not returned to it as adults or found it less enjoyable when we did.

I had expected that I would not enjoy them as much as I did when I was a child (though I did not read all of them as a child). For one reason, I did something CS Lewis would have hated – I grew up. For another, I am no longer a subscriber for the worldview that Lewis is promoting, if I ever was, which is a serious impediment to enjoying his work. Nevertheless, I had expected the storytelling, the fantasy, the adventure, would be enough for me to enjoy them overall.

Once I was part way through the sixth novel, The Silver Chair , I pretty much wrote an entire review. My original review was going to say that while the series has flaws, and they are some big flaws, I still found considerable enjoyment for the adventures nonetheless. But part way through the seventh novel, The Last Battle , I knew I had to start over. The volume and frequency of the flaws became overwhelming and I knew I could no longer support my original conclusion.

The Chronicles of Narnia need no introduction. CS Lewis’ series comprises seven children’s novels where children have adventures in the magical land of Narnia, participating in battles and quests, always under the watchful eye and guidance of Aslan the lion. This edition produces the novels in the author’s preferred order – 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 . This order places the stories they contain in chronological order but differs from the order in which they were first published.

The order in which they should be read is favourite arguing point amongst fans. The stories that were published later but are set earlier do not assume what the reader may already know from reading in publication order. Personally I prefer the above order, any issues are only minor.

That the stories are Christian allegories, suffused with Christian mythology, philosophy and morality, and with Aslan representing Jesus, is an undisguised fact (though Lewis considered the stories ‘suppositional’ rather than allegorical). The most obvious example is the first story published, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe , which mirrors the story of Christ’s death and resurrection. But the stories also contain many Pagan elements – fauns, witches, giants, dwarves, centaurs, etc. Though the Pagan elements are only superficial – they make an appearance but do not greatly inform the themes and messages – they certainly add a great deal of fantasy, magic and enjoyment to the stories. One Pagan theme that does come through is a respect for nature and animals, at least the talking ones, as equals. The Horse and His Boy , with the reversed possessive in the title, and the assertions of talking horse, Bree, probably exemplifies this best.

What is less well known, but becoming increasingly accepted, is that the collection also contains elements of Ptolemaic cosmology and the associated Classical astrology and mythology. It was already apparent that the world of Narnia conforms to a Biblical understanding of cosmology; Narnia is flat, the sun travels around it and the sky is a dome above it. The theory put forward by Michael Ward, in his book Planet Narnia , argues that the seven books also represent the seven spheres of Ptolemaic cosmology. In the order of the books I have given above, the associated spheres are: Venus, Jupiter, Mercury, Mars, the Sun, the Moon and Saturn respectively.

So, for example, Prince Caspian is the Mars book. Mars is the Roman god of war and the story concerns a Narnian civil war. Mars is also associated with forests and the sub-plot of the story concerns the rebirth of the Narnian forests which play a role in the decisive battle. Mars’ sibling Bacchus, the Roman god of wine, also makes an appearance, providing drinks for the post-war celebration. Lewis was very knowledgeable on medieval astrology, mythology and their understanding of science and history and almost seems to lament that such a comprehensive and, in his eyes, beautiful, worldview had to be discarded with the advent of modernity once it was found to be false. His last book, The Discarded Image , is a compendium of such ideas. Ward’s theory is certainly compelling but is not without its problems and will certainly continue to generate debate for a long time to come.

The problem I had when realising I needed to re-review The Chronicles of Narnia from scratch was knowing where to begin. The plots weaknesses? The questionable moral lessons? The proselytising? Probable sexism and racism? Gleeful violence? A preference for death over life?

Maybe I should start with the aspects I actually enjoyed!

The seemingly seamless combination of Christian, Pagan and Classical elements certainly gives Narnia enormous potential, though some, notably Tolkien, found the mixing of mythologies aggravating. Though it is difficult to know which were intended and which coincidental, people are continually finding more potential references. One day when browsing our shelves, having begun The Last Battle , I picked up Aesop’s Fables , turned to a page at random and found the story of An Ass in a Lion’s Skin . That being said, the considerable borrowing from other sources means that some aspects of Narnia are rather derivative and it may have been given more credit for imagination and originality than it deserves.

Lewis does have a good appreciation of how to make stories that are appealing and relatable to children. Within The Chronicles of Narnia , we have children who enjoy exploring hidden spaces, children tormented by bullies, the youngest child not taken seriously by their elder siblings, the middle-child denied both the attention of younger siblings and the power of older siblings and children wronged by adults in various ways and seeking liberation and self-importance. It makes the characters relatable in a way that will always resonate.

That is not to say that the stories are timeless though. The first two published – The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and Prince Caspian – open with clear evocations of wartime and post-war England. This, and language used by the Earthly children – “By Jove!”, “I do declare”, “I say!”, “Oh, do lets!”; give the stories a certain antiquated charm.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe was probably my favourite book of the series, though it is difficult to put my finger on exactly why. Perhaps being the first book written; the sense of wonder, mystery and adventure is better achieved. Perhaps the characterisation of the Pevensies, the Witch, Aslan and others, feels more considered. Perhaps it is just nostalgia for the memory of enjoying it as a child. The others I enjoyed most were The Voyager of the Dawn Treader , with its plot structure borrowed from The Odyssey , and The Silver Chair , where events go less according to plan and are more unexpected, than elsewhere.

My favourite characters were often talking animals such as the noble if proud Bree, from The Horse and His Boy ; the brave and chivalrous Reepicheep, in The Voyage of the Dawn Treader ; and most of all, Puddleglum, the eccentric pessimistic Marsh Wiggle from The Sliver Chair . In comparison, the human characters from Earth tended to be dull, annoying, occasionally even self-righteous.

Children’s books, particularly less recent ones, tend to suffer from a reliance on unlikely coincidences, easy outcomes and obvious plot holes. Narnia certainly suffers these issues in abundance but the easy readability helps smooth them over for the reader. As you would expect from stories with Christian themes, set in a medieval feudal world; the themes of prophesised kings, returning kings, missing heirs and princes feature heavily. In fact, they are an aspect of most of the stories. By the time I got to The Silver Chair , I wished for a bit more variety in plot.

Many of the plot issues in Narnia are superficial. However, I do want to make an example of an important one – Aslan’s resurrection. While the inclusion of Father Christmas in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe was silly, the explanation given for Aslan’s resurrection – ‘Deeper Magic’ – given after the fact, is not as satisfying to adult readers as it may be to young children.

Did Aslan know he would be resurrected before he offered himself for sacrifice? If he did, how is his death – as unpleasant as it must have been – a sacrifice? What is ‘death’ to someone who knows they will live forever – not a different life in another place but a continuation of the same one? Was it ethical to not tell those who care for him and allow them to agonise over his death? On the other hand, if he did not know he would be resurrected, then you would have to say that Aslan does not know everything and perhaps we should be more sceptical about what he tells us. Yet, despite what he may not know, if you don’t trust him implicitly, you risk damnation!

Essentially, it is problematic to have both a sacrifice and a miracle. If Aslan stayed dead, you’d have a sacrifice but no miracle. Since he rose again, you have a miracle but no sacrifice. Even the pain and torture he experiences will be nothing compared to what he will inflict on those who don’t do as he sees fit (Aslan even ‘eats’ children!). Or perhaps we are to believe that Aslan is our superior, therefore for him to suffer at all is a greater wrong than anyone else’s suffering.

Why was sacrificing himself the only option open to him? Aslan seems pretty omnipotent; he could probably destroy the witch and restore Narnia anytime he wants to yet he chooses not to. He seems to want events to proceed in a specific way and at a specific time no matter how many suffer in the meantime. To what purpose? The only one I can see is that he wants people to feel they owe him something.

Alternatively, Aslan may not be as omnipotent as he may seem. In The Last Battle , he seems to suggest that he cannot save the Dwarves from damnation. Aslan, therefore, is perhaps more of an enforcer, a referee, than an omnipotent agent. He may be as beholden to the laws of the Emperor as everyone else. Indeed, his self-sacrifice in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe in the place of Edmund comes about because of rights due to the Witch which he cannot deny. The difficulty for Narnians is in following rules that can seem unjust and may be applied arbitrarily, through believing in someone who is possibly not entirely omniscient, not entirely omnipotent, yet they will suffer terribly if they do not.

The Narnian stories are of course morality tales as well. But it is a very antiquated sense of morality and one based on blind unquestioned faith and authoritarianism.

My least favourite book, until The Last Battle , was Prince Caspian . The early parts of the book, giving us the back story of Caspian, and the latter parts, covering the decisive battle, were enjoyable. But the middle section, covering the Pevensie’s difficulties in reaching Caspian’s camp and making up about half the story, was quite dull. The purpose of this section of the story seems to be to instruct the reader on the virtues of blind faith. Literally, as Aslan is present to guide the Pevensies but he is only visible to Lucy – the most easily trusting and least questioning of the Pevensies. Lost in the wilderness, it is only by trusting meek, naïve, Lucy when she says she can see Aslan, that the children can find a way out, each of them coming to see Aslan once they take that leap of faith.

Lewis seemed to abhor the idea of ‘growing up’, preferring the ease with which young children can obey and believe without question. Frequently in Narnia, characters are told that there are things they are not meant to know, they are ‘someone else’s stories’, none of their business, or Aslan will ask if you really need to know. This is deeply problematic, especially when you consider the consequences of doing the wrong thing.

Consider the case of Aravis. In The Horse and His Boy , Aravis, a young woman, escapes from her stepmother’s house by drugging a slave who, unknown to Aravis, is consequently whipped. Aslan later mauls Aravis and explains this by saying it was in return for the harm done to the slave as a result of Aravis’ actions, giving Aravis equivalent wounds. In other words, Aslan appears to be applying reciprocal justice – an eye for an eye – here.

(I suppose one could argue this is in keeping with the reciprocal justice of the Old Testament (such as Leviticus 24:19-22). But then again, didn’t Jesus refute the reciprocal justice of the Old Testament in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:38-42)? But then again, this refutation comes right after he says he is not going to do away with the Old Testament laws (Matthew 5:17-20)! Like attempting to explain why Aslan’s resurrection is not a plot cheat, we could go on and on without getting anywhere while missing the point – such is Theology. It is worth noting that there are a number of objections to The Chronicles from Christians as well. Mostly about the mixing of pagan and Christian elements or the portrayal of Christ as a powerful, terrifying, lion rather than the more traditional mild, meek, lamb. There are objections to some of the moral lessons as well by those Christians who have different interpretations of the religion. I imagine that the geological changes in Narnia that speak to the passage of time – peninsulas become islands, hill streams become gorges – would also aggravate those who insist on a young Earth!)

You may instead wonder why Aslan holds Aravis fully accountable for something she did not directly do, did not intend to do and may not have foreseen? Or why Aravis must be mauled while Aslan will sacrifice himself for Edmund? Is that what ‘Deep Magic’ has to say for Aravis’ case? Or why he does not punish those that whipped the slave? Perhaps he did, but neither Aravis or the reader would ever know of it – Aslan would tell us it is ‘someone else’s story’.

To hold people under your power in ignorance and yet punish them so harshly for unintended or unforeseen consequences seems extreme. Aslan’s moral teaching is very much authoritarian – ‘do as I say, not as I do and don’t expect an explanation’. Does Aslan do good? Sure, some. Could he, or someone else with his power, do better? Definitely. Does anyone get a choice in the matter? No. Without an explanation you may only be doomed to commit and repeat offences, even to the extent of being denied salvation when the world of Narnia ends. A heavy price to pay.

Consider the Dwarves Aslan couldn’t/wouldn’t save. Their crime? They abandoned their faith after their faith was taken advantage of. It seems the Dwarves couldn’t win. To question is to lack faith, but to take things on authority and not question leaves them vulnerable to those who would take advantage of their unquestioned faith. Nor can the agent of the ‘true’ faith reveal himself to guide them since that would negate the need for faith; it would cheat the test.

It is very difficult for anyone in Narnia to be saved. You can have no foreknowledge of what might see you saved or condemned, the rules are somewhat arbitrary and inconsistent and the agent who polices them refuses to explain himself. Blind luck may be more apt than blind faith with severe consequences for the less fortunate. As the late, great, Christopher Hitchens might have said, living in Narnia would be like living in an other-worldly North Korea.

We could go on and on here as these issues repeat themselves frequently in the books. If you subscribe to Lewis’ worldview, then you may not have liked what I have had to say. As someone who does not subscribe to that worldview, these are issues of plot and theme for me, more than issues of theology and faith. But more than that, I also cannot agree with Lewis that blind faith and an authoritarian moral system are virtues. I believe the enormous improvement made by the West, in improving the quality of life of its citizens, since the end of the medieval period is largely due to the exact opposite – questioning authority.

Let’s move on. While Christian themes dominate the stories, do the stories proselytise? For the most part I would say ‘no’. A reader not familiar with the Christian stories and mythology would read past it without necessarily sensing the author’s attempt at influence. Although they do tread a fine line, especially the resurrection story of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe , Aslan hurting us to help us in The Horse and His Boy and the moral of blind faith in Price Caspian already discussed. There is also the Ontological Argument presented by Puddleglum in the crucial scene of The Silver Chair and the moral of death being preferable to life in The Last Battle .

There are a couple of points where the stories perhaps do cross the line into proselytising because they encourage the reader to make the connection between Narnia and Earth themselves. One comes at the end of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader . At the end of the World, the characters encounter Aslan (briefly as a lamb, possibly in response to critics who took issue with the portrayal of Jesus as powerful, terrifying lion) who tells Edmund, Eustace and Lucy that he exists in our world, but goes by another name and tells them to seek him out.

“But there I have another name. You must learn to know me by that name. 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.”

As well as being proselytising, this scene breaks the metaphor and I guess lends support to Lewis’ claim that the stories are suppositional not allegorical. Another occurs in The Last Battle , where Lucy points out the similarity of the stable to another stable in our world.

More than just promoting his own worldview, Lewis also takes the opportunity in the stories to criticise those he disagrees with. I say ‘criticise’ but it is really a case of taking cheap shots and I found it to be unnecessary. I don’t necessarily have an issue with an author being critical of aspects of society he disagrees with; it is the chosen style and method that I found to be in poor taste. In the beginning of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader , we are introduced to Eustace and his parents who seem to be some bad stereotype of a progressive family. ‘Up-to-date and advanced people’, they are vegetarian, non-smokers and teetotallers. Eustace collects beetles, like a young Darwin, likes books on information, is a bit of a know-it-all and calls his parents by their first names. The inference is that these are far from admirable qualities.

In The Silver Chair , we are given considerable details about the school Eustace and Jill attend. It is a co-ed school where the Bible is not taught, the children have no knowledge of Adam and Eve and girls are not taught to curtsey. Not by coincidence, we are told it is also a horrid place.

As the years have gone by, other criticisms have arisen, accusing the series of being racist, sexist, xenophobic and more. Such claims have been made by esteemed authors and academics and if you want to find evidence for their claims in the books you do not have to search far.

Naturally, a number of counterclaims have arisen as well. Most tend to focus on finding examples of more progressive interpretations of characters and events in the stories, as if one excuses the other, or they point out that many of the negative words and deeds are performed by villains or more complex characters, or they search for defensive arguments from Lewis’ other writings. On the surface these counterpoints are not completely without merit and it could be said that these are unresolvable issues of alternative interpretation. But I believe the apologist argument falls down for three reasons.

First, there are instances where Lewis is explicit about what he means. These deserve more weight than passages which are open to interpretation. Further, given that he felt compelled to offer clarification in such instances, we must ask why he did not in others. The apologist argument instead relies on assumptions about what Lewis may be implying while not giving greater weight to his explicit comments and failing to explain his silence elsewhere. If there are areas where characters say things that can be misinterpreted as sexist or racist, why doesn’t Lewis clarify the situation, especially since the stories are aimed at children who will require clarification? An obvious answer is that it might make for poor storytelling, but that has never stopped Lewis!

An example of Lewis offering clarification occurs in The Silver Chair . Here, Jill struggles with orientation to which Eustace remarks that “It’s an extraordinary thing about girls that they never know the points of a compass”. In the next chapter, Lewis clarifies that Jill, in particular, has difficulty with orientation but, contrary to Eustace’s comment, this is not necessarily true for all girls (or rather, he says ‘I don’t know about girls in general’). By the next book, Jill has become skilled at orientation thanks to time in the Girl Guides.

So, in The Last Battle , when the Dwarves repeatedly refer to a Calorman as ‘Darkie’, the apologist argument has been that by now the Dwarves are fallen, they even attack other Narnians, and therefore their racism is a result of their fall from grace even though Lewis does not make this connection explicit. Unlike the case of Jill’s orientation skills, Lewis offers no clarification here or where else it was needed. Similarly, when the characters apply pigment to their skin in order to disguise themselves as Calormen with the comment from King Tirian that “Nothing but oil and ashes will make us white Narnians again”, where is the clarification? Are there non-white Narnians or are we to understand that all Narnians are white? Why does Lewis feel he needed to clarify Eustace’s comment but not King Tirian’s?

Yet, at the end of The Silver Chair , when discussing the incompetence of the Head of Eustace and Jill’s horrid co-ed school, we do get additional commentary. Here, Lewis feels it necessary to explicitly point out that: “the Head (who was, by the way, a woman)…”.

Clearly there are moments when Lewis feels he needs to clarify what he or his characters mean and moments when he does not. The apologist arguments do not take account of this and instead take liberties in assuming what they think he means elsewhere in an attempt to defend his work from the accusations of racism and sexism.

We must also consider the double-standard on the apologist side in that they are willing to take the text at face value where it suits them but insist on our consideration of extensive extra material where they are on the back foot. We are supposed to think these are arguments are sophisticated and nuanced, but they read as presumptive, convoluted and wishful. This relative difficulty faced by the defenders in making their case is the second failing.

The third failure of the apologist counterarguments is that they forget that The Chronicles of Narnia is a fantasy created to conform to Lewis’ worldview. There is no need for Lewis to adhere to a factual and authentic reality as he would for a historical novel. There are plenty of novels that intentionally contain racist or sexist elements in order to be consistent with a real time and place. There is no such requirement of Lewis in The Chronicles .

Nor is he able to distance himself from his creation. Again plenty of novels contain villains, anti-heroes or complex characters with less than admirable qualities, but, depending on the book, we can feel confident that the author is not expressing their own views or condoning their behaviour but has other intentions in mind; authenticity or thematic considerations most of all. The Chronicles of Narnia on the other hand, was created to impress on us Lewis’ worldview. If the stories contain racist and sexist elements without explanation or clarification, he probably did not notice them, did not think twice about including them or did not think he needed to clarify.

My conclusion on this matter is that The Chronicles of Narnia do contain sexist, racist and other elements and that the defensive and apologist counterargument is unconvincing. Which leaves us with one argument, which is not an excuse but an explanation – it is a product of its time. Narnia , I believe should be treated in the same was we treat The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn or Gone with the Wind . That is, enjoyed for what they are, but taken with a grain of salt for where the standards of their time have been left behind. I am currently reading The Canterbury Tales , where The Prioress’s Tale is clearly anti-Semitic and makes for uncomfortable reading, which can be explained though not condoned by remembering that it was written in the 14th century. Why still read The Canterbury Tales ? Because it is an impressive and influential work. That being said, Narnia does require extra care because it does proselytise and it is aimed at children. Enid Blyton (1897-1968), a contemporary of Lewis (1898-1963), whose works are also aimed at children, also with modern accusations of racism, sexism and xenophobia; have received strong censure, even modern revision. The apologists and defenders, I feel certain, will not concede. My suspicion is that their vigour is due less to a love for the text or author, or a consistent defendable theory, but to adherence to a complementary worldview. The same can be said for the series’ enduring popularity.

There is far more to discuss on Narnian ethics; the gleeful violence such as at the end of The Silver Chair ; the ‘Problem of Susan’ and the moral that death is preferable to life in The Last Battle ; but I will have to leave it here.

As I said, as a child I enjoyed those Narnia stories I read, in ignorance of their message or source material and, before the age of reason, I simply enjoyed adventure stories with child protagonists. On re-reading them I had expected to not enjoy them as much, not being an adherent to Lewis’ worldview, but still expected to find some things to enjoy. For about five-and-a-half novels, that was true, and as I said I had written a whole review with a different conclusion. But The Last Battle was the last straw. It isn’t necessarily one weakness or another; it was the sheer weight and frequency of them over 767 pages. The ‘Darkie’ passages were the most shocking and the point at which I could not defend this work any further.

I had also hoped in the beginning that I may read these to my daughter, not yet one-year-old, when she is old enough. That is no longer the case. I certainly don’t believe in banning books or forbidding my daughter from reading age-appropriate ones, but The Chronicles of Narnia will likely sit on a shelf unless she decides she wants to read it. I also hope that, since she will not be indoctrinated in a worldview, when she reaches the age of reason, she will notice the areas where The Chronicles leave much to be desired. By then she may be old enough to take a look at the works of others such as JK Rowling and Philip Pullman. Both inspired in part by Narnia, both excellent, both no less magical and containing battles between good and evil. But both certainly less preachy, less flawed in plot and message and both celebrating life over death and the inevitable development of character, ‘growing up’, as something virtuous.

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The latest book reviews and book news, book series review: the chronicles of narnia.

The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis

Continuing the trend, we will be diving into another children’s series, The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis.

The Chronicles of Narnia follow four children Ann, Martin, Rose and Peter. While playing, the accidentally end up in Narnia, a world where animals can talk and magic is real. The children get caught up in a battle between animals and the witch that rules Narnia. It is up to the children to save their friend and the residents of Narnia with the help of a lion and new friends they make.

Throughout the series, the children return to Narnia but time works differently in Narnia so a year can be hundreds of years in Narnia. There are also different villains and not all the children go back to Narnia in every book.

Many people have read the books and it is a big part of many people’s childhood. Even today, it is still inspiring books such as The Magicians . While the books are meant for children, there are a lot of adult themes and religion throughout the book.

The word Narnia derives from a city in Italy called Narni. The latin translation is Narnia and Lewis loved how the name sounded so he chose it for his novel. And a heads up when reading the books because they don’t follow the order they were published in. So make sure you look up the right order or you will be confused.

I recently read all of them and they aren’t too long so its a short read. I really did like the world building by Lewis and how the children were dealing with adult stuff with the mindset of children. The writing is great, Narnia is great, and it is easy to see why millions of people love these timeless children’s books.

Chronicles of Narnia- 7 book reviews

Posted by Miara | Apr 18, 2019 | Books

I recently reread all the Chronicles of Narnia books. They’re some of my favorites. I still remember when my dad came home with a box set of the series. I loved when my dad brought home new books for me to read. The box set was the 50th anniversary editions with colored illustrations and they were so fun to go through. Recently Netflix announced they would be making the Chronicles of Narnia into a TV series, and I’ve been waiting impatiently for updates since then. I’ve been meaning to re-read the series for a while and now seemed like the perfect time with that announcement.

My box set has the books in chronological order (based on Narnian time) rather than by order of publication (it differs slightly) and I recommend reading it in that order because it will build on previous characters and events and make more sense.

I’m doing just one big post on all the books since I finished reading them all before writing any reviews. Don’t mind all my photos with the books and my tea set. Reading books written by English authors often have scenes with tea in them and then all I want to do is drink tea and read all day. Rereading this series after having been to England myself, I can see how the English countryside inspired C.S. Lewis. It made it easier to picture the rolling green hills of Narnia with birdsong and the gentle trickle of rivers in the distance. We’ve had such a lovely rainy spring it’s offered many chances for me to curl up with a book in our library with candles lit and immerse myself in magic and fantasy.

The Magician’s Nephew :

Two children are pulled into unknown worlds when a wicked and selfish uncle tricks them for a magic experiment. There they meet Jadis, an evil Queen trying to escape her dying world. Through a series of events she ends up in the middle of London with them and causes all sorts of mischief. When the children finally get her out of London, they end up in an empty world that is being created by Aslan. Aslan sends the children off on a task and the adventures of Narnia begin.

C.S. Lewis paints such a lovely beginning to Narnia, and while it’s a children’s book it never fails to draw me in to the magic of the story. The characters are realistic (well I guess their personalities are, perhaps not the talking Lion) and you’re drawn into Digory’s impulsive nature and Uncle Andrew’s egotism.

Lewis sets part of the story on a dying world, and paints a grim and sad version of it. The creation of Narnia is a stark contrast to the dying world and makes it all the more exciting to read about.

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe :

When four children stumble through a wardrobe into a magical forest with talking animals, they soon find that there is evil afoot and they must do their best to fix the spell cast over the land of Narnia. With Aslan’s help, they must defeat the evil witch who cast the spell and earn their places as Kings and Queens of Narnia.

This is the most well-known of the Narnia books, probably partially because of the movie. I think this is one of my favorite books in the series. Reading it as a child made me hope that every door I opened would be a door into another world. The dynamic between the four siblings is well-written, including their little arguments and growth throughout the book. There are definite Christian symbolisms in this story, but that doesn’t bother me while reading. This story includes the best of Narnia- beautiful country, talking animals, Aslan, Fauns, and dark magic. Aslan is an interesting character. He’s spoken of in the books as not being a ‘tame lion’. And indeed, whether because this was written in the 50s or talking lions are just a crazy idea, Aslan says and does things unexpectedly and strangely. He’s loving but stern, wild but gentle.

I love C.S. Lewis’s writing. His descriptions are simple yet beautiful, like Tumnus the faun’s cave.

*Spoiler below*

If you’ve already watched the movie then this won’t spoil the book for you. When Lucy first discovers Narnia and comes back out of the wardrobe, and when the children arrive back home at the end of the book, they realize that no time has passed at all even though they’ve lived days or a whole lifetime in Narnia. I was always fascinated with this concept because it gave you the opportunity to live multiple lifetimes in one. I spent hours as a child daydreaming (and still do) about what time period or magic world I’d love to be whisked into to live a whole life and then return to this one.

This is a painting I did! Prints available in my shop!

The Horse and His Boy :

Adopted orphan Shasta runs away from his abusive father when a talking horse wins him over with descriptions of the beautiful and free country to the north: Narnia. Along the way they meet fellow runaways Aravis and Hwin and together they travel in secret up the country. When a plot against Narnia is discovered, the travelers race across a vast desert to beat the invaders northward and warn the Narnians.

This is a side-story of Narnia set while the Pevensie children are still Kings and Queens of Narnia, though they play lesser characters in this book. The book takes place in an entirely different place and culture, and it’s fun to read about the differences between Narnia and Calormen. Aslan also features in this story, and again, he’s not a ‘tame lion’ and you wonder a little about his reasons for doing what he does. Shasta and Aravis are fun characters, as well as Bree and Hwin, the talking horses.

Prince Caspian:

Prince Caspian discovers his life is in danger when his uncle produces a new heir. Having been taught about Aslan, Old Narnia, and talking beasts, Caspian runs away and searches for the Narnians while his uncle pursues with an army. The Pevensie children are once again pulled out of England to help rescue Narnia from outsiders.

This book is a little different in setting, as part of the story is told in retrospect after the first few chapters. The Pevensie children feature again in this book, though they arrive back in Narnia over 1000 years after they last visited and come to find their castle in ruins and the country overtaken by people rather than their dear talking animals. Prince Caspian fights for his life and his right to rule from his wicked Uncle Miraz. You expect there to be a large battle at the end of this book but the ending is a little different than predicted, which some may like and others dislike. I’m still on the fence, because I do like reading thrilling battle scenes, but as it’s a children’s book the ending is maybe more diplomatic and creative in a less gory sort of way. A good read nonetheless that sets up the second half of the Narnia series.

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader:

Caspian, now King of Narnia, sets sail to the east in search of the seven lords his Uncle Miraz had exiled in the past. Along the way they discover new lands, escape from sea monsters, and perhaps will sail right over the edge of the world into Aslan’s country.

I think my favorite book in the series has got to be between this and The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Prince Caspian returns as one of the main Narnian characters, and the children from our world are Edmund, Lucy, and their annoying prick of a cousin Eustace. In this story you meet new lands, new people, and new creatures. It’s an exciting read because the travelers are discovering most of these places for the first time and you, as reader, discover all these places with them and you get to experience the mystery and wonder along with the characters. I just love the descriptions of all the islands and new magic you read about. And I also like that one of the characters, Caspian, is carried over from the previous book and you get to know him better. There’s also a chance of them sailing to the end of the world, so the whole time you wonder what it might look like if they do make it, and whatever you might imagine it’s not disappointing!

The Silver Chair:

Eustace and Jill are pulled into Narnia while being chased by bullies, and Aslan gives them a difficult task with signs to help them along the way. When it seems they’ve messed up all the signs, the children and their new friend, a Marsh-wiggle named Puddleglum, must outsmart giants and an evil sorceress to find a missing prince and restore him to the throne of Narnia.

This is the first book of the series in which none of the original Pevensie children are in it. It’s a different sort of setting that takes place on gloomy moorlands, snowy mountains, and underground, so not your typical bright happy Narnian scene. A couple new characters are a bit more annoying to me, and it may be partly that if you’ve made it this far, your knowledge of Narnia is much greater than that of the characters. I do like Prince Rillian’s character, and the children grow throughout the book. You also get to learn more about Aslan’s mysterious country.

The Last Battle:

When a false Aslan roams Narnia, everyone is confused. Should they obey him? Hide from him? Confront him? Tirian, King of Narnia, calls for aid from the children, friends of Narnia who have helped save the country in the past. The book culminates in a clash between the Narnians and Calormenes, and the Last Battle is fought with the odds against King Tirian.

*Spoilers in my review* 3/5 stars if you want to skip it.

This last book I simultaneously like and dislike. The Christian themes in this are much harder to ignore than in The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, and it may be because it’s preachier in this book. The false prophet, the ending of the world and who gets to go to Aslan’s country vs. Tash’s country, Susan no longer being a ‘friend of Narnia’ (aka no longer believing in Narnia). The book also reveals the time period of racist beliefs C.S. Lewis lived in. The Calormenes are the bad guys, they smell of ‘onion and garlic’, and the dwarves insult them as ‘darkies’. It’s more shocking to read this as an adult than as a kid. But I do realize that it reflects the time period perhaps more than the author’s beliefs. (I don’t know if he was racist, but Lewis did write good Calormene characters such as Aravis in The Horse and His Boy.) It’s a little bit more of a slower start than the other books, and Eustace and Jill don’t arrive until partway through the book. I do like the characters of King Tirian and Jewel the unicorn. I feel like the ending was beautiful yet abrupt, and I was rather disappointed in the ‘last battle’, which wasn’t much of a battle at all. Aslan ends the world of Narnia and you see all the old characters from the previous book which is very fitting, and how the world ends is described creatively. I don’t love that Susan isn’t with everyone at the end, I feel like it was the author making a religious point, but for me I wanted this to be a happy ending in a children’s series where all the old friends see each other again.

I give it 3/5 stars because I did like the characters, the way the story was told, and the ending in Aslan’s country. But I didn’t love the blatantly religious themes (and I grew up religious), the lack of an exciting battle, the pace of the story compared to the previous books, and Susan being left alone when her parents and siblings have all just died.

Phew, that took longer to write than I though, I shouldn’t try to do seven book review at once!

One of the books we have has a timeline of all the events of Narnia. If you won’t want spoilers don’t look at it.

Sidewalk days.

August 2, 2014

Wuthering Heights

February 3, 2019

Museums, Castle-Libraries, and Lobsters

September 12, 2016

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe: The Chronicles of Narnia | Book Review

Book Review of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe: The Chronicles of Narnia The Children’s Book Review

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe: The Chronicles of Narnia

Written by C.S. Lewis

Ages: 8+ | 206 Pages

Publisher: HarperCollins | ISBN-13: 978-0060234812

What to Expect: Fantasy, Classic Literature, Adventure, Mythical Creatures, and Enchanted Landscapes.

C.S. Lewis’s timeless classic, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe , is a captivating tale that weaves together the magic of a hidden world, the trials of courage, and the ultimate triumph of good over evil. Initially inspired by the wartime circumstances that brought three young girls into Lewis’s care, the narrative unfolds as a fantastical escape into the enchanting land of Narnia.

The story revolves around four siblings – Peter, Edmund, Lucy, and Susan – who stumble upon a mysterious wardrobe in the professor’s old country house. What begins as a simple exploration transforms into a grand adventure as the wardrobe reveals itself to be a portal into the mystical realm of Narnia. Here, they encounter a world gripped by the icy reign of the malevolent White Witch, setting the stage for a timeless battle between good and evil. Lewis masterfully crafts an immersive experience, seamlessly blending fantasy elements with a touch of reality. The juxtaposition of the ordinary and the extraordinary enhances the story’s appeal, inviting readers of all ages into the magical escapade.

As each sibling grapples with their unique challenges and discovers inner reservoirs of strength, the character development is both poignant and relatable. Tension escalates as the plot unfolds, reaching a crescendo when the White Witch accuses Edmund of treachery, leading to a fateful encounter with the majestic lion, Aslan. A symbol of courage and nobility, Aslan becomes the linchpin in the siblings’ quest to liberate Narnia from the grips of eternal winter. Lewis skillfully imbues the narrative with moral lessons, seamlessly interwoven with the unfolding events laden with suspense, offering a gripping climax that leaves readers on the edge of their seats.

The enduring appeal of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe lies in its ability to resonate with readers on multiple levels—the narrative not only entertains with its magical escapades but also imparts timeless wisdom about the triumph of virtue over vice. Profound themes and well-crafted characters make it a literary gem that continues to captivate readers across generations.

In conclusion, C.S. Lewis’s The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe stands as a testament to the enduring power of storytelling. Its seamless blend of fantasy and reality, coupled with rich character development and moral depth, ensures that the tale remains a cherished classic. Whether it’s your first journey into Narnia or a nostalgic return, this enchanting narrative promises an unforgettable adventure that transcends time and captivates the heart.

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About the author.

Clive Staples Lewis was one of the intellectual giants of the twentieth century and arguably one of the most influential writers of his day. He was a Fellow and Tutor in English Literature at Oxford University until 1954 and was unanimously elected to the Chair of Medieval and Renaissance Literature at Cambridge University, a position he held until his retirement.

Lewis wrote more than thirty books, allowing him to reach a vast audience, and his works continue to attract thousands of new readers every year. His most distinguished and popular accomplishments include Mere Christianity , Out of the Silent Planet , The Great Divorce , The Screwtape Letters , and the universally acknowledged classics The Chronicles of Narnia . To date, the Narnia books have sold over 100 million copies and have been transformed into three major motion pictures

What to Read Next if You Love The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe: The Chronicles of Narnia

Prince Caspian: The Chronicles of Narnia , by C. S. Lewis
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader: The Chronicles of Narnia , by C. S. Lewis
The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread , by Kate DiCamillo
The Indian in the Cupboard , by Lynne Reid Banks

Bianca Schulze reviewed The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe: The Chronicles of Narnia . Discover more books like The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe: The Chronicles of Narnia by reading our reviews and articles tagged with Fantasy , Classics , Fairy Tales , Folklore , and Myths .

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Bianca Schulze is the founder of The Children’s Book Review. She is a reader, reviewer, mother and children’s book lover. She also has a decade’s worth of experience working with children in the great outdoors. Combined with her love of books and experience as a children’s specialist bookseller, the goal is to share her passion for children’s literature to grow readers. Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, she now lives with her husband and three children near Boulder, Colorado.

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Book Review #6: The Chronicles of Narnia

Some brief (and informal) thoughts on the classic children’s series which I finished recently. Whilst I read the series in publication order, this review will be arranged in chronological order as this is the way the books are now published.

The Magician’s Nephew (1955)

A prequel to the Narnia series, this story details the creation of Narnia by Aslan the lion. There is a real sense of wonder and scope with the transition from Victorian London to the creation of Narnia. The locations and scenery are also beautifully depicted with some gorgeous imagery throughout. Lewis’ creation of ‘the wood between the worlds’ is genius writing, and I wish we could explore this place more. Jadis, the White Witch, is a formidable and hilarious antagonist with some fantastic lines. Overall an excellent story with a clever and touching ending that ties in well with The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe .

Rating: 9/10

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1950)

The original classic and arguably still the best in the series. As with The Magician’s Nephew, there is a real sense of wonder as the Narnian world is explored by the Pevensie children. Jadis is a dangerous, beautiful and cruel antagonist with more witty and savage dialogue from Lewis. The first appearance of Aslan is magnificent and the climactic battle and coronation is depicted vividly and brilliantly.

Rating: 10/10

The Horse and His Boy (1954)

A very different story to the rest of the series, The Horse and His Boy takes place during final years of King Peter’s reign in Narnia, and explores the land of Calormen to the south. The premise and its unique Middle Eastern vibe initially sound interesting but unfortunately as the chapters progress the story and its characters become rather boring and unengaging. There is also a problematic hint of racism in the way the Calormites are depicted and the way that Christianity triumphs over others in the final battle. Nonetheless the desert scenes are vividly depicted and the pacing of the novel is excellent.

Rating: 5/10

Prince Caspian (1951)

A disappointing and inferior sequel to The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe . Too much of the story is given to Prince Caspian’s origins and background, whilst the trek and journey across Narnia is excruciatingly slow and boring. There is a strong influence from Hamlet with Caspian’s revenge against his uncle Miraz but this unfortunately is a poor adaptation/homage of Shakespeare’s great play. There are some interesting supporting characters as well but their presences are brief and their backgrounds aren’t explored much in detail.

Rating: 4/10

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (1952)

A highlight of the Narnia series, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader depicts the story of King Caspian sailing into the Great Eastern Ocean to find seven lost lords of Narnia. The story overall is excellent with a brilliant beginning, and lots of action, adventure and wonder as the crew explore the various islands, all with unique attributes. The last several chapters and ending are also wonderfully written by Lewis. Eustace Scrubb also has an interesting story arc, turning from an annoying child into a more mature and courageous adolescent. Reepicheep the Mouse is a highlight of the novel as well.

Rating: 7/10

The Silver Chair (1953)

In contract to the adventures in the rest of the series, The Silver Chair has a rather cold, grim and darker tone than usual. This is complemented by the cold, harsh and tough landscape of the Ettinsmoor and the Northern lands of the Giants. Puddleglum, the marsh-wiggle, is an outstanding character with some excellent and funny dialogue, and is arguably the best character in the Narnia series. The Underland is a fantastic dark landscape and is depicted brilliantly. Sadly the Queen of the Underland is a poor antagonist when compared to the White Witch of previous novels. Jill Poole and Eustace Scrubb, the children, also get more character development than in previous novels.

The Last Battle (1956)

The final novel of the Narnia series is a disappointing and confusing mess. A false Aslan is set up in Narnia which eventually leads to its destruction. The Christian allegory here with the allusions to Noah’s Ark, Jesus and heaven is overwhelming and ruins the novel overall. Racism and sexism are also present, with the Calormenes again depicted as barbarian ‘darkies’. What is truly grating however is Lewis’ callous treatment of Susan, who is now banned from Narnia simply because she has other interests and wishes to explore her sexuality. This is a depressing and violent book with one-dimensional characters and a story that is unengaging and disappointing. The ending, with its overtly religious tones, is a confusing and chaotic mess.

Rating: 2/10

My personal ranking for the series:

The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe
The Magician’s Nephew
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
The Silver Chair
The Horse and His Boy
Prince Caspian
The Last Battle

https://www.narnia.com/

Book Review: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe book jacket

I first read this book when I was much younger and have read it many times since then, yet not in recent years. I just finished reading it once again about a month ago. Just like when I read the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe for the very first time there was so much magic and wonder that engulfed me once more, and will again many times more. It begins during the Blitz in 1940 with a family of four kids, Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy. They, like many other children during this time, go to the countryside of England to escape the war and be safe. Yet their time in the countryside will be much different than any of the other children’s. They arrive at this mansion owned by a professor, who has a housekeeper that doesn’t want children there and makes sure that they don’t touch anything. The four children don’t want to leave their family and their home in London, but the homesickness fades away quickly once they start to have fun in the house and find a world of magic and endless possibilities. Lucy, the youngest of the four, finds a wardrobe hidden away in a spare room in the house, in it are a bunch of fur coats. She makes her way through with her eyes closed as the soft fur rubs against her cheeks when she suddenly feels something prickly and cold. She finds herself in a wood in the middle of winter and a faint light in the distance, the light coming from a singular light post in the middle of nowhere and nothing to power it. Here she meets Mr. Tumnus, a faun, who invites her for tea and cakes. She spends hours with him and learns about the land she is in, Narnia which is in a 100-year winter, and that she is the first human in this strange land in a long time, as well as that there is a witch, the White Witch, who has enslaved all of Narnia. When she returned she had been gone for hours, yet to her siblings, it was mere seconds, they didn’t believe her and when they went to check the wardrobe there was no wood. Edmund was especially mean about it but followed her in the middle of the night and found himself in the middle of the same forest she described and Edmund met the White Witch. One day all four children were rushed into the wardrobe as the housekeeper gave tours of the house since it had many relics, and they found themselves all in Narnia, not at all ready for the adventure ahead of them. This magical place and book always make me feel like I was there with Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy, as they had their adventures. The magic that C. S. Lewis was able to resonate with me every day as I too looked for a magical portal to a world unknown. This book is so enveloping as you read and finish it, it stays with you for years, making you think in ways you never thought of before. This book is an amazing book for anyone looking for an amazing fantasy book or a book that every time you read it you see something new. Reviewer Grade: 12

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The Chronicles of Narnia Paperback – October 1, 2001

Purchase options and add-ons.

Don’t miss one of America’s top 100 most-loved novels, selected by PBS’s The Great American Read.

Experience all seven tales of C. S. Lewis's classic fantasy series, The Chronicles of Narnia , in one impressive paperback volume!

Epic battles between good and evil, fantastic creatures, betrayals, heroic deeds, and friendships won and lost all come together in this unforgettable world, which has been enchanting readers of all ages for over sixty years.

This edition presents the 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 —unabridged and arranged in C. S. Lewis's preferred order. Each chapter is graced with an illustration by the original artist, Pauline Baynes.

Print length 768 pages
Language English
Grade level 3 - 6
Lexile measure 870L
Dimensions 6 x 1.92 x 9 inches
Publisher HarperCollins
Publication date October 1, 2001
ISBN-10 9780066238500
ISBN-13 978-0066238500
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Editorial Reviews

“With amazing characters and abundant magic, this series is impossible to forget.” — Brightly

From the Back Cover

Journeys to the end of the world, fantastic creatures, and epic battles between good and evil -- what more could any reader ask for in one book? The book that has it all is The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe , written in 1949 by Clive Staples Lewis. But Lewis did not stop there. Six more books followed, and together they became known as The Chronicles of Narnia.

For the past fifty years, The Chronicles of Narnia have transcended the fantasy genre to become part of the canon of classic literature. Each of the seven books is a masterpiece, drawing the reader into a land where magic meets reality, and the result is a fictional world whose scope has fascinated generations.

This edition presents all seven books -- unabridged -- in one impressive volume. The books are presented here according to Lewis' preferred order, each chapter graced with an illustration by the original artist, Pauline Baynes. Deceptively simple and direct, The Chronicles of Narnia continue to captivate fans with adventures, characters, and truths that speak to readers of all ages, even fifty years after they were first published.

About the Author

Clive Staples Lewis (1898-1963) was one of the intellectual giants of the twentieth century and arguably one of the most influential writers of his day. He was a Fellow and Tutor in English Literature at Oxford University until 1954, when he was unanimously elected to the Chair of Medieval and Renaissance Literature at Cambridge University, a position he held until his retirement. He wrote more than thirty books, allowing him to reach a vast audience, and his works continue to attract thousands of new readers every year. His most distinguished and popular accomplishments include Out of the Silent Planet , The Great Divorce , The Screwtape Letters , and the universally acknowledged classics The Chronicles of Narnia. To date, the Narnia books have sold over 100 million copies and have been transformed into three major motion pictures.

Clive Staples Lewis (1898-1963) fue uno de los intelectuales más importantes del siglo veinte y podría decirse que fue el escritor cristiano más influyente de su tiempo. Fue profesor particular de literatura inglesa y miembro de la junta de gobierno en la Universidad Oxford hasta 1954, cuando fue nombrado profesor de literatura medieval y renacentista en la Universidad Cambridge, cargo que desempeñó hasta que se jubiló. Sus contribuciones a la crítica literaria, literatura infantil, literatura fantástica y teología popular le trajeron fama y aclamación a nivel internacional. C. S. Lewis escribió más de treinta libros, lo cual le permitió alcanzar una enorme audiencia, y sus obras aún atraen a miles de nuevos lectores cada año. Sus más distinguidas y populares obras incluyen Las Crónicas de Narnia, Los Cuatro Amores, Cartas del Diablo a Su Sobrino y Mero Cristianismo .

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0066238501
Publisher ‏ : ‎ HarperCollins; First American Edition (October 1, 2001)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 768 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780066238500
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0066238500
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 7+ years, from customers
Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 870L
Grade level ‏ : ‎ 3 - 6
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.54 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1.92 x 9 inches
#859 in Children's Fantasy & Magic Books
#956 in Classic Literature & Fiction
#2,205 in Epic Fantasy (Books)

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About the authors

CLIVE STAPLES LEWIS (1898-1963) was one of the intellectual giants of the twentieth century and arguably one of the most influential writers of his day. He was a fellow and tutor in English Literature at Oxford University until 1954 when he was unanimously elected to the Chair of Medieval and Renaissance English at Cambridge University, a position he held until his retirement. He wrote more than thirty books, allowing him to reach a vast audience, and his works continue to attract thousands of new readers every year. His most distinguished and popular accomplishments include Mere Christianity, Out of the Silent Planet, The Great Divorce, The Screwtape Letters, and the universally acknowledged classics, the Chronicles of Narnia. To date, the Narnia books have sold over 100 million copies and been transformed into three major motion pictures.

Pauline Baynes

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Movie Reviews

Tv/streaming, collections, great movies, chaz's journal, contributors, 'narnia' finds universe next door.

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C. S. Lewis, who wrote the Narnia books, and J.R.R. Tolkien, who wrote the Ring trilogy, were friends who taught at Oxford at the same time, were pipe-smokers, drank in the same pub, took Christianity seriously, but although Lewis loved Tolkein’s universe, the affection was not returned. Well, no wonder. When you’ve created your own universe, how do you feel when, in the words of a poem by e. e. cummings:: "Listen: there's a hell/of a good universe next door; let's go."

Tolkien's universe was in unspecified Middle Earth, but Lewis' really was next door. In the opening scenes of "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," two brothers and two sisters from the Pevensie family are evacuated from London and sent to live in a vast country house where they will be safe from the nightly Nazi air raids. Playing hide-and-seek, Lucy, the youngest, ventures into a wardrobe that opens directly onto a snowy landscape where before long Mr. Tumnus is explaining to her that he is a faun.

Fauns, like leprechauns, are creatures in the public domain, unlike Hobbits, who are under copyright. There are mythological creatures in Narnia, but most of the speaking roles go to humans like the White Witch (if indeed she is human) and animals who would be right at home in the zoo (if indeed they are animals). The kids are from a tradition which requires that British children be polite and well-spoken, no doubt because Lewis preferred them that way. What is remarkable is that this bookish bachelor who did not marry until he was nearly 60 would create four children so filled with life and pluck.

That's the charm of the Narnia stories: They contain magic and myth, but their mysteries are resolved not by the kinds of rabbits that Tolkien pulls out of his hat, but by the determination and resolve of the Pevensie kids -- who have a good deal of help, to be sure, from Aslan the Lion. For those who read the Lewis books as a Christian parable, Aslan fills the role of Christ because he is resurrected from the dead. I don't know if that makes the White Witch into Satan, but Tilda Swinton plays the role as if she has not ruled out the possibility.

The adventures that Lucy has in Narnia, at first by herself, then with her brother Edmund and finally with the older Peter and Susan, are the sorts of things that might happen in any British forest, always assuming fauns, lions and witches can be found there, as I am sure they can. Only toward the end of this film do the special effects ramp up into spectacular extravaganzas that might have caused Lewis to snap his pipe stem.

It is the witch who has kept Narnia in frigid cold for a century, no doubt because she is descended from Aberdeen landladies. Under the rules, Tumnus ( James McAvoy ) is supposed to deliver Lucy ( Georgie Henley ) to the witch forthwith, but fauns are not heavy hitters, and he takes mercy. Lucy returns to the country house and pops out of the wardrobe, where no time at all has passed and no one will believe her story. Edmund ( Skandar Keynes ) follows her into the wardrobe that evening and is gob-smacked by the White Witch, who proposes to make him a prince.

But Peter ( William Moseley ) and Susan ( Anna Popplewell ) don’t believe Lucy until all four children tumble through the wardrobe into Narnia. They meet the first of the movie's CGI-generated characters, Mr. and Mrs. Beaver (voices by Ray Winstone and Dawn French ), who invite them into their home, which is delightfully cozy for being made of largish sticks. The Beavers explain the Narnian situation to them, just before an attack by computerized wolves whose dripping fangs reach hungrily through the twigs.

Edmund by now has gone off on his own and gotten himself taken hostage, and the Beavers hold out hope that perhaps the legendary Aslan (voice by Liam Neeson ) can save him. This involves Aslan dying for Edmund's sins, much as Christ died for ours. Aslan's eventual resurrection leads into an apocalyptic climax that may be inspired by Revelation. Since there are six more books in the Narnia chronicles, however, we reach the end of the movie while still far from the Last Days.

These events, fantastical as they sound, take place on a more human, or at least more earthly, scale than those in "Lord of the Rings." The personalities and character traits of the children have something to do with the outcome, which is not being decided by wizards on another level of reality but will be duked out right here in Narnia. That the battle owes something to Lewis' thoughts about the first two world wars is likely, although nothing in Narnia is as horrible as the trench warfare of the first or the Nazis of the second.

The film has been directed by Andrew Adamson , who directed both of the " Shrek " movies and supervised the special effects on both of Joel Schumacher's " Batman " movies. He knows his way around both comedy and action, and here combines them in a way that makes Narnia a charming place with fearsome interludes. We suspect that the Beavers are living on temporary reprieve and that wolves have dined on their relatives, but this is not the kind of movie where you bring up things like that.

C.S. Lewis famously said he never wanted the Narnia books to be filmed because he feared the animals would "turn into buffoonery or nightmare." But he said that in 1959, when he might have been thinking of a man wearing a lion suit, or puppets.

The effects in this movie are so skillful that the animals look about as real as any of the other characters, and the critic Emanuel Levy explains the secret: "Aslan speaks in a natural, organic manner (which meant mapping the movement of his speech unto the whole musculature of the animal, not just his mouth)." Aslan is neither as frankly animated as the Lion King or as real as the cheetah in " Duma ," but halfway in between, as if an animal were inhabited by an archbishop.

This is a film situated precisely on the dividing line between traditional family entertainment and the newer action-oriented family films. It is charming and scary in about equal measure, and confident for the first two acts that it can be wonderful without having to hammer us into enjoying it, or else. Then it starts hammering. Some of the scenes toward the end push the edge of the PG envelope, and like the "Harry Potter" series, the Narnia stories may eventually tilt over into R. But it's remarkable, isn't it, that the Brits have produced Narnia, the Ring, Hogwarts, Gormenghast, James Bond, Alice and Pooh, and what have we produced for them in return? I was going to say "the cuckoo clock," but for that you would require a three-way Google of Italy, Switzerland and Harry Lime.

Roger Ebert

Roger Ebert was the film critic of the Chicago Sun-Times from 1967 until his death in 2013. In 1975, he won the Pulitzer Prize for distinguished criticism.

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Film credits.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe movie poster

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)

143 minutes

Tilda Swinton as White Witch

Georgie Henley as Lucy Pevensie

Skandar Keynes as Edmund Pevensie

William Moseley as Peter Pevensie

Anna Popplewell as Susan Pevensie

Liam Neeson as Aslan

Ray Winstone as Mr. Beaver

Dawn French as Mrs. Beaver

Rupert Everett as Mr. Fox

Directed by

Andrew Adamson
Ann Peacock
Christopher Markus
Stephen McFeely

Based on the books by

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Splash Travels

The books that inspired a new generation of fantasy

Posted: December 20, 2023 | Last updated: December 20, 2023

<p>The idea of Narnia first began when author C.S. Lewis spent part of his childhood in Northern Ireland. Lewis and his brother apparently had a lot of time on their hands, so they would create imaginary worlds out of nowhere, which later influenced his characterization of Lucy Pevensie and her own creative imagination.</p>

42. Where Does the Inspiration Come From?

The idea of Narnia first began when author C.S. Lewis spent part of his childhood in Northern Ireland. Lewis and his brother apparently had a lot of time on their hands, so they would create imaginary worlds out of nowhere, which later influenced his characterization of Lucy Pevensie and her own creative imagination.

<p>According to C.S. Lewis himself, he first conceived the basic idea of <em>The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe </em>when he was 16 years old. Lewis first envisioned “a picture of a Faun carrying an umbrella and parcels in a snowy wood” but he didn’t get around to actually writing out the story until he “was about forty".</p>

41. Procrastination, Such an Aggravation

According to C.S. Lewis himself, he first conceived the basic idea of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe when he was 16 years old. Lewis first envisioned “a picture of a Faun carrying an umbrella and parcels in a snowy wood” but he didn’t get around to actually writing out the story until he “was about forty".

<p>The only character to appear in all seven books of the series is Aslan the lion. However, he didn’t actually appear in the first draft of <em>The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe</em>. In fact, Lewis was struggling with the story until “Aslan came bounding into it". Try to imagine this series without Aslan in it! We dare you!</p>

40. No Lion? You’re Lyin’!

The only character to appear in all seven books of the series is Aslan the lion. However, he didn’t actually appear in the first draft of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe . In fact, Lewis was struggling with the story until “Aslan came bounding into it". Try to imagine this series without Aslan in it! We dare you!

<p>Another inspiration which C.S. Lewis had before working on <em>The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe</em> came to him in the form of three girls sent from London in 1939 to live with Lewis in the countryside. These girls—named Margaret, Mary, and Katherine—went on to inspire the four siblings who first traveled to Narnia while waiting out the Second World W.</p>

39. I Hope They Got Some Royalties

Another inspiration which C.S. Lewis had before working on The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe came to him in the form of three girls sent from London in 1939 to live with Lewis in the countryside. These girls—named Margaret, Mary, and Katherine—went on to inspire the four siblings who first traveled to Narnia while waiting out the Second World W.

<p>Contrary to popular belief, C.S. Lewis denied that he intentionally wrote the <em>Narnia</em> books as Christian stories from the start, but he did say that the themes subconsciously appeared in his early writing and that he embraced them whole-heartedly by the time the last books were published.</p>

38. From Subconscious to Conscious

Contrary to popular belief, C.S. Lewis denied that he intentionally wrote the Narnia books as Christian stories from the start, but he did say that the themes subconsciously appeared in his early writing and that he embraced them whole-heartedly by the time the last books were published.

<p>It’s hard to say where exactly C.S. Lewis decided to go whole-hog with the Christian allegory in his <em>Narnia </em>books, but some have pointed to the book <em>The Voyage of the Dawn Treader</em> as a pretty clear example of Christian messages being used. In that book, Aslan is initially found in the form of a lamb, which is an animal often associated with Christianity. Aslan also points out that he exists in the world of humans, but he has a different name. It’s about as subtle as, well, a talking lion with the powers of God.</p>

37. Clear Message from Here on Out

It’s hard to say where exactly C.S. Lewis decided to go whole-hog with the Christian allegory in his Narnia books, but some have pointed to the book The Voyage of the Dawn Treader as a pretty clear example of Christian messages being used. In that book, Aslan is initially found in the form of a lamb, which is an animal often associated with Christianity. Aslan also points out that he exists in the world of humans, but he has a different name. It’s about as subtle as, well, a talking lion with the powers of God.

<p>It wasn’t C.S. Lewis who came up with the title <em>The Chronicles of Narnia</em> to describe his seven books. It was his friend and fellow author, Roger Lancelyn Green, who coined the title in a letter he wrote to Lewis in 1951.</p>

36. Special Thanks to Roger

It wasn’t C.S. Lewis who came up with the title The Chronicles of Narnia to describe his seven books. It was his friend and fellow author, Roger Lancelyn Green, who coined the title in a letter he wrote to Lewis in 1951.

<p>Roger Lancelyn Green also prompted C.S. Lewis to write more books after <em>The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe</em>. Lewis was content with that first book until Green challenged him with a question; what was that lamppost doing in Narnia in the first place? Rather than tell his friend to stop overthinking it, Lewis began writing <em>The Magician’s Nephew</em> to answer that question.</p>

35. Even More Thanks to Roger!

Roger Lancelyn Green also prompted C.S. Lewis to write more books after The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe . Lewis was content with that first book until Green challenged him with a question; what was that lamppost doing in Narnia in the first place? Rather than tell his friend to stop overthinking it, Lewis began writing The Magician’s Nephew to answer that question.

<p>While Aslan is portrayed as the godlike figure of Narnia, other gods do appear in the series. One of them is the deity known as Bacchus, who makes an appearance in <em>Prince Caspian</em> to save the day. Bacchus was a Roman god whose identity and origin story was taken nearly entirely from Dionysus, the Greek god of booze, celebrations, and hedonism.</p>

34. This World is Big Enough for the Both of Us

While Aslan is portrayed as the godlike figure of Narnia, other gods do appear in the series. One of them is the deity known as Bacchus, who makes an appearance in Prince Caspian to save the day. Bacchus was a Roman god whose identity and origin story was taken nearly entirely from Dionysus, the Greek god of booze, celebrations, and hedonism.

<p>It reportedly took C.S. Lewis a total of eight years to write all seven books in <em>The</em> <em>Chronicles of Narnia</em> series. Interestingly, though, only three months of that time was spent writing <em>The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe</em>.</p>

33. Priorities

It reportedly took C.S. Lewis a total of eight years to write all seven books in The Chronicles of Narnia series. Interestingly, though, only three months of that time was spent writing The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe .

<p>In 2005, a big-budget film adaptation of <em>The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe </em>was released into theatres, making over $700 million at the box office. Film adaptations of <em>Prince Caspian</em> and <em>The Voyage of the Dawn Treader</em> were released in 2008 and 2010 respectively. An adaptation of <em>The Silver Chair </em>is also said to be in the works as well.</p>

32. Let’s Go to the Movies!

In 2005, a big-budget film adaptation of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe was released into theatres, making over $700 million at the box office. Film adaptations of Prince Caspian and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader were released in 2008 and 2010 respectively. An adaptation of The Silver Chair is also said to be in the works as well.

<p>Before he settled on <em>The Silver Chair</em> as a title for one of his books, C.S. Lewis also considered calling said book <em>The Wild Waste Lands</em>, <em>Night Under Narnia</em>, <em>News Under Narnia, </em>and <em>Gnomes Under Narnia</em>. You can decide for yourselves which title he should have used.</p>

31. On Second Thought…

Before he settled on The Silver Chair as a title for one of his books, C.S. Lewis also considered calling said book The Wild Waste Lands , Night Under Narnia , News Under Narnia, and Gnomes Under Narnia . You can decide for yourselves which title he should have used.

<p>The character of Aslan is shown to have a magic breath, in that he can either provide strength to characters, undo the magic of the White Witch, or even create all of Narnia with his breath—which makes us wonder what happens when Aslan has to sneeze. Given that the Greek and Hebrew words for breath, when translated, became ‘spirit’ and ‘ghost,’ scholars have made a connection between Aslan’s breath of life and the Holy Spirit in Christian doctrine.</p>

30. Keep Breathing! That’s the Key!

The character of Aslan is shown to have a magic breath, in that he can either provide strength to characters, undo the magic of the White Witch, or even create all of Narnia with his breath—which makes us wonder what happens when Aslan has to sneeze. Given that the Greek and Hebrew words for breath, when translated, became ‘spirit’ and ‘ghost,’ scholars have made a connection between Aslan’s breath of life and the Holy Spirit in Christian doctrine.

<p>Early on in <em>The Last Battle</em>, the character of Shift dresses up a donkey named Puzzle in a lion-skin so that he can impersonate Aslan. This is a reference to Aesop’s fable titled <em>The behind in the Lion’s Skin.</em></p>

29. Lewis Loved His Lore…

Early on in The Last Battle , the character of Shift dresses up a donkey named Puzzle in a lion-skin so that he can impersonate Aslan. This is a reference to Aesop’s fable titled The behind in the Lion’s Skin.

<p>As most of you will know, <em>The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe</em> follows the adventures of Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy, four siblings who enter the world of Narnia through a wardrobe and become embroiled in the conflict between Aslan and the White Witch. It might interest you to know that C.S. Lewis actually had different names for three of his protagonists in the first drafts: he named his kids Peter, Ann, Martin, and Rose. Not sure why he changed his mind on the names, but you do you, Lewis.</p>

28. Original Names

As most of you will know, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe follows the adventures of Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy, four siblings who enter the world of Narnia through a wardrobe and become embroiled in the conflict between Aslan and the White Witch. It might interest you to know that C.S. Lewis actually had different names for three of his protagonists in the first drafts: he named his kids Peter, Ann, Martin, and Rose. Not sure why he changed his mind on the names, but you do you, Lewis.

<p>In <em>The Magician’s Nephew</em>, the character of Jadis—AKA the White Witch—takes on a role which parallels that of Satan in John Milton’s <em>Paradise Lost</em>. Like Satan, she tries to fool and trick the protagonist by manipulating the truth and even outright lying. This even involves Jadis tempting Digory with an apple, though in this case the apple will grant immortality rather than knowledge. C.S. Lewis just loved his English literature courses!</p>

27. Did She Turn into a Snake Too?

In The Magician’s Nephew , the character of Jadis—AKA the White Witch—takes on a role which parallels that of Satan in John Milton’s Paradise Lost . Like Satan, she tries to fool and trick the protagonist by manipulating the truth and even outright lying. This even involves Jadis tempting Digory with an apple, though in this case the apple will grant immortality rather than knowledge. C.S. Lewis just loved his English literature courses!

<p>After studying <em>The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe</em>, and looking at the historical context when the book was released, scholar Roger Chapman has made a case out of finding a strong Cold W theme in the book. According to Chapman, Narnia’s early portrayal of being locked in permanent winter and not celebrating Christmas is a representation of the Soviet Union under Communism. The purges and arrests of Narnians, coupled with the secret authorities figures, are meant to represent the terrifying dictatorship of Joseph Stalin. As the book came out in 1950, these themes would certainly be very familiar to people of the time.</p>

26. The Book Never Sold Well in Russia Anyway…

After studying The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe , and looking at the historical context when the book was released, scholar Roger Chapman has made a case out of finding a strong Cold W theme in the book. According to Chapman, Narnia’s early portrayal of being locked in permanent winter and not celebrating Christmas is a representation of the Soviet Union under Communism. The purges and arrests of Narnians, coupled with the secret authorities figures, are meant to represent the terrifying dictatorship of Joseph Stalin. As the book came out in 1950, these themes would certainly be very familiar to people of the time.

25. We Are All Connected

One of the themes of the Narnia books is a conflict between two views of the natural world. As is made especially clear in The Magician’s Nephew , there is a natural order to the world of Narnia, which invokes the ancient view of life known as the Great Chain of Being, with the everybody having their place while also being linked to everything else—and yes, it’s okay that you’re thinking of Mufasa’s “circle of life” speech right now, The Lion King took influence from the Great Chain as well.

<p>In contrast to this respect of nature for its own sake, there is the opposing viewpoint which the villains of the <em>Narnia</em> books frequently have, where nature exists to be exploited for self-gain. We’re pretty sure that Tolkien would have applauded this approach, given how his villains treat nature as well.</p>

24. The Fires of Industry

In contrast to this respect of nature for its own sake, there is the opposing viewpoint which the villains of the Narnia books frequently have, where nature exists to be exploited for self-gain. We’re pretty sure that Tolkien would have applauded this approach, given how his villains treat nature as well.

<p>One thing which has always been hotly contested and debated about the <em>Narnia</em> books is the fate of Susan Pevensie. In <em>The Last Battle</em>, all the Pevensie siblings, including their cousins and their parents, return to be with Aslan, except for Susan. It’s explained that Susan is “no longer a friend of Narnia” and is “interested in nothing now-a-days except nylons and lipstick and invitations". Many have waved this off as Susan simply growing out of childhood fantasies while many others have decried it as Susan no longer being welcome in Narnia due to her having matured and embraced her sexuality as a woman. It remains to be a topic without a sure answer, however.</p>

23. Why Not Susan?!

One thing which has always been hotly contested and debated about the Narnia books is the fate of Susan Pevensie. In The Last Battle , all the Pevensie siblings, including their cousins and their parents, return to be with Aslan, except for Susan. It’s explained that Susan is “no longer a friend of Narnia” and is “interested in nothing now-a-days except nylons and lipstick and invitations". Many have waved this off as Susan simply growing out of childhood fantasies while many others have decried it as Susan no longer being welcome in Narnia due to her having matured and embraced her sexuality as a woman. It remains to be a topic without a sure answer, however.

<p>As popular as <em>The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe </em>became, C.S. Lewis faced a serious uphill battle getting the book published at all. In 1950, high fantasy stories were seen as highly unsuitable for anyone except very young children. Lewis, however, had so much fun writing the book that he didn’t care. Much to his surprise, the book became highly popular, defying the pessimism of his publisher, Geoffery Bles. Bles must have been pretty red in the face when that happened!</p>

22. Joke’s on You!

As popular as The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe became, C.S. Lewis faced a serious uphill battle getting the book published at all. In 1950, high fantasy stories were seen as highly unsuitable for anyone except very young children. Lewis, however, had so much fun writing the book that he didn’t care. Much to his surprise, the book became highly popular, defying the pessimism of his publisher, Geoffery Bles. Bles must have been pretty red in the face when that happened!

<p>Even upon its initial release, <em>The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe </em>received criticism from concerned parents and authority figures. Some claimed that the book’s brutality would be too frightening for children to handle, while others accused the author of attempting to indoctrinate children with the book’s Christian leanings.</p>

21. Can’t Satisfy Them All

Even upon its initial release, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe received criticism from concerned parents and authority figures. Some claimed that the book’s brutality would be too frightening for children to handle, while others accused the author of attempting to indoctrinate children with the book’s Christian leanings.

<p>In the events prior to the main storyline of <em>Prince Caspian</em>, the realm of Narnia has been invaded and conquered by a race of people known as the Telmarines. They drove the Old Narnians into hiding and there arises the conflict of whether the Telmarines and the Old Narnians can co-exist peacefully. This conflict was allegedly inspired by William the Conqueror’s Norman invasion of England, along with the issue of the Anglo-Saxons and the Normans cohabitating under his rule.</p>

20. History is Our Inspiration

In the events prior to the main storyline of Prince Caspian , the realm of Narnia has been invaded and conquered by a race of people known as the Telmarines. They drove the Old Narnians into hiding and there arises the conflict of whether the Telmarines and the Old Narnians can co-exist peacefully. This conflict was allegedly inspired by William the Conqueror’s Norman invasion of England, along with the issue of the Anglo-Saxons and the Normans cohabitating under his rule.

19. Name Origins

Narnia got its name from the town of Narnis, in Italy. Aslan, meanwhile, comes from the Turkish word for ‘lion.’

<p>The recurring character of Lucy Pevensie was named after and based on the goddaughter of C.S. Lewis, Lucy Barfield. Lewis also dedicated the first book to her, in a message which read “Someday you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again. You can then take it down from some upper shelf, dust it, and tell me what you think of it".</p>

18. How Touching!

The recurring character of Lucy Pevensie was named after and based on the goddaughter of C.S. Lewis, Lucy Barfield. Lewis also dedicated the first book to her, in a message which read “Someday you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again. You can then take it down from some upper shelf, dust it, and tell me what you think of it".

<p>In the novel <em>The Horse and His Boy</em>, two of the main characters are twins named Cor and Corin. Cor is associated with horses, while Corin is well-known for his affiliation with boxing. These twins are a clear reference to the mythological heroes Castor and Polydeuces—also known as Pollux to the Romans. These two twins were eventually honored by the gods by becoming constellations in the sky as Gemini.</p>

17. It’s All Greek to Me

In the novel The Horse and His Boy , two of the main characters are twins named Cor and Corin. Cor is associated with horses, while Corin is well-known for his affiliation with boxing. These twins are a clear reference to the mythological heroes Castor and Polydeuces—also known as Pollux to the Romans. These two twins were eventually honored by the gods by becoming constellations in the sky as Gemini.

<p>Tolkien fans who have read <em>The Magician’s Nephew </em>might have noticed that both C.S. Lewis and Tolkien’s worlds of Narnia and Middle-Earth, respectively, are created through music. In the case of Narnia, Aslan’s singing and breath bring forth life, while in Tolkien’s case, it is the work of Eru Ilúvatar and the Ainur who create the world from out of the Void. Given that the two of them were contemporaries, it’s not completely out of line to believe that one might have been influenced by the other. As to who influenced who, we’ll leave that up to the fanbases to argue about.</p>

16. The Power of Music

Tolkien fans who have read The Magician’s Nephew might have noticed that both C.S. Lewis and Tolkien’s worlds of Narnia and Middle-Earth, respectively, are created through music. In the case of Narnia, Aslan’s singing and breath bring forth life, while in Tolkien’s case, it is the work of Eru Ilúvatar and the Ainur who create the world from out of the Void. Given that the two of them were contemporaries, it’s not completely out of line to believe that one might have been influenced by the other. As to who influenced who, we’ll leave that up to the fanbases to argue about.

<p>Criticism has been leveled towards the books, particularly <em>The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe</em>, for its assumption that it’s okay for children to fight in wars as long as they are boys. In one of the more bizarre scenes of the book—and that’s saying something—Peter, Susan, and Lucy are visited by Father Christmas, who provides them with gifts to help them on their journey. While all three are given arms, Father Christmas specifically warns Lucy and Susan not to get caught up in the fighting because “Battles are ugly when women fight". Good to know that Santa’s fine with underage boys taking part in conflict!</p>

15. Santa is Bad?

Criticism has been leveled towards the books, particularly The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe , for its assumption that it’s okay for children to fight in wars as long as they are boys. In one of the more bizarre scenes of the book—and that’s saying something—Peter, Susan, and Lucy are visited by Father Christmas, who provides them with gifts to help them on their journey. While all three are given arms, Father Christmas specifically warns Lucy and Susan not to get caught up in the fighting because “Battles are ugly when women fight". Good to know that Santa’s fine with underage boys taking part in conflict!

<p>Perhaps because this was such a close parallel to his personal life, it seems to have taken C.S. Lewis a longer time to write <em>The Magician’s Nephew</em> than any of the other books. Lewis began writing it in 1949 but gave up after 26 pages and didn’t resume work until two years later, finally releasing the book in 1955.</p>

14. The Personal is Always Painful

Perhaps because this was such a close parallel to his personal life, it seems to have taken C.S. Lewis a longer time to write The Magician’s Nephew than any of the other books. Lewis began writing it in 1949 but gave up after 26 pages and didn’t resume work until two years later, finally releasing the book in 1955.

<p>When he began writing the books, C.S. Lewis didn’t necessarily have an exact order in mind. Therefore, the chronological order of the books is contested among tough fans to this day.</p>

13. This Time Travel is Getting Confusing…

When he began writing the books, C.S. Lewis didn’t necessarily have an exact order in mind. Therefore, the chronological order of the books is contested among tough fans to this day.

<p>When it comes to <em>The Voyage of the Dawn Treader</em>, there are actually two distinct differences between the British version and the American version of the books, done by C.S. Lewis himself when he was reviewing the American edition. The first change was a brief description of a character, Eustace, as “far too stupid to make anything up himself”. Lewis changed the line to being “quite incapable” rather than “far too stupid”. Speculation on the change ranges from Lewis having grown fonder of the character, Lewis being worried that he went too far calling a child stupid, or that Eustace wasn’t stupid, and it was an inaccurate description. Either way, probably for the best that he made that correction.</p>

12. Minor Change

When it comes to The Voyage of the Dawn Treader , there are actually two distinct differences between the British version and the American version of the books, done by C.S. Lewis himself when he was reviewing the American edition. The first change was a brief description of a character, Eustace, as “far too stupid to make anything up himself”. Lewis changed the line to being “quite incapable” rather than “far too stupid”. Speculation on the change ranges from Lewis having grown fonder of the character, Lewis being worried that he went too far calling a child stupid, or that Eustace wasn’t stupid, and it was an inaccurate description. Either way, probably for the best that he made that correction.

<p>The second, bigger change was in regard to the Dark Island, which the protagonists visit to rescue one of the lost lords of Narnia. In the original version, Lewis wrote their departure in a way that it seemed the Dark Island no longer existed once they left. In the American version, he rewrote the scene to leave the Dark Island existing as a cautionary warning to others, while also emphasizing the success of the protagonists for leaving it.</p>

11. Major Change

The second, bigger change was in regard to the Dark Island, which the protagonists visit to rescue one of the lost lords of Narnia. In the original version, Lewis wrote their departure in a way that it seemed the Dark Island no longer existed once they left. In the American version, he rewrote the scene to leave the Dark Island existing as a cautionary warning to others, while also emphasizing the success of the protagonists for leaving it.

<p>Speaking of changes in the American and British versions of a book, there are a few minor changes in <em>The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe </em>as well. In the American edition of the book, the White Witch’s chief of authorities is named Fenris Ulf rather than Maugrim, and instead of “the fire-stones of the Secret Hill,” they used “the trunk of the World Ash Tree". Seems rather random to make those changes, but oh well.</p>

10. Translation Issues?

Speaking of changes in the American and British versions of a book, there are a few minor changes in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe as well. In the American edition of the book, the White Witch’s chief of authorities is named Fenris Ulf rather than Maugrim, and instead of “the fire-stones of the Secret Hill,” they used “the trunk of the World Ash Tree". Seems rather random to make those changes, but oh well.

<p>In <em>The Last Battle</em>, the villains include a race of people known as the Calormenes. These people, described as being dark-skinned slave-traders wearing turbans, have come under fire for being color coded villains in a book series written by a white author and nearly always featuring white protagonists.</p>

9. Awkward…

In The Last Battle , the villains include a race of people known as the Calormenes. These people, described as being dark-skinned slave-traders wearing turbans, have come under fire for being color coded villains in a book series written by a white author and nearly always featuring white protagonists.

<p>Despite these criticisms, some have pointed to the novel <em>The Horse and His Boy</em> for a portrayal of two Calormenes who are heroic characters in that story. However, there is a counter-argument which states that these characters are clearly painted as exceptions to the rule within the book compared to the rest of the Calormenes. It’s the problem that the fantasy genre has had for quite some time, whether we’re talking about C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, or even George R.R. Martin.</p>

8. There’s a Case to Be Made

Despite these criticisms, some have pointed to the novel The Horse and His Boy for a portrayal of two Calormenes who are heroic characters in that story. However, there is a counter-argument which states that these characters are clearly painted as exceptions to the rule within the book compared to the rest of the Calormenes. It’s the problem that the fantasy genre has had for quite some time, whether we’re talking about C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, or even George R.R. Martin.

<p><em>The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe </em>bears a few similarities to an earlier fairy tale called <em>The Snow Queen</em> by legendary fairy tale author Hans Christian Anderson. Lewis’ antagonist in his book, the White Witch, has serious parallels with the Snow Queen, Anderson’s antagonist in his own story. Both women dress all in white, both take a boy away on a sled, and both use their magic to corrupt their captives so that they turn on their loved ones.</p>

7. Copy rights!

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe bears a few similarities to an earlier fairy tale called The Snow Queen by legendary fairy tale author Hans Christian Anderson. Lewis’ antagonist in his book, the White Witch, has serious parallels with the Snow Queen, Anderson’s antagonist in his own story. Both women dress all in white, both take a boy away on a sled, and both use their magic to corrupt their captives so that they turn on their loved ones.

<p>One element which has always marked the <em>Narnia </em>books is the way it deals with parallel timelines. A whole lifetime could be spent in Narnia, while mere minutes would pass by in our world. Based on the timelines in <em>Prince Caspian</em>, a year in our world equals to about 1,300 years in Narnia!</p>

6. Time’s Arrow Marches On

One element which has always marked the Narnia books is the way it deals with parallel timelines. A whole lifetime could be spent in Narnia, while mere minutes would pass by in our world. Based on the timelines in Prince Caspian , a year in our world equals to about 1,300 years in Narnia!

<p>Before Narnia was created in <em>The Magician’s Nephew</em>, it’s revealed that there was a previous world called Charn which was corrupted and ultimately destroyed when one of the characters spoke the Deplorable Word, which was dangerous due to its incredibly destructive power. Those who have researched and studied the <em>Narnia</em> books and Lewis’ background are divided what he’s specifically referencing with that storyline. While some have argued that the Deplorable Word is a metaphor for the atom explosive —which would definitely have been on everyone’s mind after they were used in Japan during the conflict —others maintain that Lewis’ influence was the myth of Atlantis. For what it’s worth, this myth also inspired Tolkien when he created the island of Númenor.</p>

5. Atom Explosivevs. Atlantis

Before Narnia was created in The Magician’s Nephew , it’s revealed that there was a previous world called Charn which was corrupted and ultimately destroyed when one of the characters spoke the Deplorable Word, which was dangerous due to its incredibly destructive power. Those who have researched and studied the Narnia books and Lewis’ background are divided what he’s specifically referencing with that storyline. While some have argued that the Deplorable Word is a metaphor for the atom explosive —which would definitely have been on everyone’s mind after they were used in Japan during the conflict —others maintain that Lewis’ influence was the myth of Atlantis. For what it’s worth, this myth also inspired Tolkien when he created the island of Númenor.

<p>While C.S. Lewis was working on this series, a colleague of his was working on his own fantasy books. That colleague was none other than J.R.R. Tolkien, and the books he was working on were <em>The Lord of the Rings</em>! The two authors would meet every Monday morning to discuss writing, and they were joined by others as time passed. Eventually, no fewer than 19 men were meeting up to share their work, and they moved the weekly meetings to Thursday night.</p>

4. Why Weren’t We Invited??!

While C.S. Lewis was working on this series, a colleague of his was working on his own fantasy books. That colleague was none other than J.R.R. Tolkien, and the books he was working on were The Lord of the Rings ! The two authors would meet every Monday morning to discuss writing, and they were joined by others as time passed. Eventually, no fewer than 19 men were meeting up to share their work, and they moved the weekly meetings to Thursday night.

<p>Professor Digory Kirke, the protagonist of <em>The Magician’s Nephew</em> and a supporting character in some of the other books, is based on C.S. Lewis himself. Both the author and his protagonist “were children in the early 1900s, both wanted a pony, and both were faced with the demise of their mothers in childhood". Both were also children in England while their fathers were abroad, both were better with literature than mathematics, to their detriment, and of course, both of them became professors who took in children during the Second World W.</p>

3. Unofficial Autobiography

Professor Digory Kirke, the protagonist of The Magician’s Nephew and a supporting character in some of the other books, is based on C.S. Lewis himself. Both the author and his protagonist “were children in the early 1900s, both wanted a pony, and both were faced with the demise of their mothers in childhood". Both were also children in England while their fathers were abroad, both were better with literature than mathematics, to their detriment, and of course, both of them became professors who took in children during the Second World W.

<p>Although she is supposedly ended by Aslan at the end of <em>The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe</em>, the White Witch is said to have returned to life. While it hasn’t been confirmed, the villainous Lady of the Green Kirtle in <em>The Silver Chair</em> bears a striking resemblance to the White Witch, leading some to suggest that the two women are the same.</p>

2. You Again?

Although she is supposedly ended by Aslan at the end of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe , the White Witch is said to have returned to life. While it hasn’t been confirmed, the villainous Lady of the Green Kirtle in The Silver Chair bears a striking resemblance to the White Witch, leading some to suggest that the two women are the same.

<p>Despite the obvious Christian allegories in the series—especially when the lion Aslan embarks on a personal sacrifice and resurrection in the middle of <em>The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe</em>—the <em>Narnia </em>books were banned in a large number of Christian schools. This was because, for all of the Christian elements in the series, C.S. Lewis also inserted some pagan references, which was for some school libraries apparently too much to tolerate.</p><p><span><strong>Sources: </strong> <a href="http://boredbug.com/10-enchanting-facts-adventure-chronicles-narnia/2/" rel="noopener noreferrer">1</a>, <a href="https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/9-things-you-should-know-about-the-chronicles-of-narnia/" rel="noopener noreferrer">2</a>, <a href="http://mentalfloss.com/article/58698/16-facts-about-lion-witch-and-wardrobe" rel="noopener noreferrer">3</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Magician%27s_Nephew" rel="noopener noreferrer">4</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Voyage_of_the_Dawn_Treader" rel="noopener noreferrer">5</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Chronicles_of_Narnia" rel="noopener noreferrer">6</a>, <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/disturbing-things-in-narnia/melissa-brinks" rel="noopener noreferrer">7</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Chronicles_of_Narnia_(film_series)" rel="noopener noreferrer">8</a>, <a href="http://www.thelionscall.com/books-and-movies/articles/40-things-you-never-knew-about-narnia/" rel="noopener noreferrer">9</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_Battle" rel="noopener noreferrer">10</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/9-things-never-knew-chronicles-narnia/" rel="noopener noreferrer">11</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lion,_the_Witch_and_the_Wardrobe" rel="noopener noreferrer">12</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_Caspian" rel="noopener noreferrer">13</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Horse_and_His_Boy" rel="noopener noreferrer">14</a></span></p>

1. Wait—Narnia Goes Too Far?

Despite the obvious Christian allegories in the series—especially when the lion Aslan embarks on a personal sacrifice and resurrection in the middle of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe —the Narnia books were banned in a large number of Christian schools. This was because, for all of the Christian elements in the series, C.S. Lewis also inserted some pagan references, which was for some school libraries apparently too much to tolerate.

Sources: 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14

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Narnia lives! Greta Gerwig will direct two Narnia films for Netflix

By dan selcke | jul 3, 2023.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 30: Greta Gerwig attends the "Barbie" Celebration Party at Museum of Contemporary Art on June 30, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by James Gourley/Getty Images)

Years ago — like, several many years ago — we heard that Netflix was planning to make a series of movies and TV shows based on The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. The Chronicles of Narnia is a seven-book strong fantasy series about a fantastical land that lies on the other side of a wardrobe, full of magic, mystery, and thinly veiled allegories for Jesus Christ.

They’re pretty beloved books, so a lot of new Narnia content is a big deal…and then nothing happened. Was the plan dead? As it ends up, no: the other day, The New Yorker revealed that Greta Gerwig will direct two Narnia films.

The New Yorker article isn’t actually about Narnia ; it’s about how Mattel is licensing the movie rights to many of its beloved toys, starting with the upcoming Barbie movie, which is getting a lot of buzz. Gerwig is directing the Barbie movie, and the info about Narnia just slipped out.

Barbie director Greta Gerwig will adapt The Chronicles of Narnia for Netflix

And if the Barbie movie isn’t about living in a fantasy world, what is? Beyond that, Gerwig has gained a reputation as a director of sensitive, carefully crafted films like Lady Bird and Little Women . She’s also making Disney’s upcoming live-action remake of Snow White . Gerwig might not be the very first person you’d think of to direct a Narnia film, but I see what Netflix is thinking.

The Narnia books have been adapted to the screen before, most notably in a series of three movies that came out between 2005 and 2010. They didn’t quite take off in the way that, say, Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings movies did, and we never got to see the full story adapted.

There’s no word on when Netflix might release its Narnia movies (or if there will be a TV show or shows as well), but at least there’s some word about what’s happening over there.

Next. Outlander star John Bell talks Young Ian’s grim future. dark

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Book Reviews

'rednecks' chronicles the largest labor uprising in american history.

Gabino Iglesias

St. Martin's Press hide caption

Coal, plucked from deep within the earth, helped build this country and got it through many wars. But to get that coal, miners had to put their lives at risk daily and for long, grueling hours.

Between cave-ins, explosions from methane gas, accidents, and black lung, coal mining was a deadly job, and those who benefited from it the most never faced any of those dangers. The result of that division between those putting their lives on the line and those who made the money led to the Battle of Blair Mountain in 1921. Around 10,000 miners from all races revolted against the mine owners that fought their union, the government, which sided with the owners, and the state militia.

Taylor Brown's Rednecks is a superb historical drama full of violence and larger-than-life characters that chronicles the events of 1920 and 1921 as it explores the people and reasons behind the largest labor uprising in American history.

Rednecks is a sprawling narrative that kicks off with the Matewan Massacre, which happened in the spring of 1920 when local coal miners and their allies had a bloody shootout with the Baldwin–Felts, who were in charge of evicting people who had joined the miner's union. From there, the novel follows the major events leading up to, and during, the Battle of Blair Mountain.

The chapters follow different characters: "Doc Moo" Muhanna, a Lebanese-American doctor concerned with the health of those stuck in the tent camps and who helped everyone and was respected on both sides of the conflict; Frank Hugham, a Black coal miner and World War I veteran who is beaten and left for dead by the men trying to control the miners and subdue the union; and Beulah, Frank's grandmother, a woman with an unbreakable spirit and a great sense of humor. The novel also has some real-life historical figures in its page: Mother Jones, the fiery, indomitable labor organizer and "Smilin" Sid Hatfield, who played a vital role in the Matewan Massacre and whose mouth full of gold teeth and talent for righteous violence made him a legend.

Rednecks drags readers into the middle of conflict, pulling them into the battlefield, the mines, the streets full of armed men itching to pull the trigger, the courts where good and bad decisions were made, and the cold, muddy tent camps where those displaced by the owner of the mines scraped out a living. Brown, a writer who always delivers impeccable prose, also delivers great pacing and economy of language here, telling a very big story from a variety of perspectives without ever slowing down or getting too caught up in the plethora of details his research surely unearthed.

In fact, there are passages in Rednecks that describe more and accomplish more than some short stories. This paragraph about miners looking at the homes they were kicked out of is a perfect example:

"Now other men slept in those same beds, in the shelter of those hard roofs and milled plank walls. Scabs . Men from out of state, whose labor kept the mines smoking on the hillsides, the coal-carts and conveyors trundling toward daylight. The company ledgers in the black. Kept the Union miners sleeping in canvas tents, their demands unmet. Their wives dull-eyed with hunger, their feet dark-slopped with mud. Their children's faces gaunt, so they could see their little skulls pressing through the skin, creeping toward the surface."

Historical fiction sticks mostly to facts, but that doesn't mean authors can't take a stand and make a point. In Rednecks , Brown makes it very clear from the start: Ihe miners were right. Every time the novel talks about the conflict in depth and explores how it all came to be, Brown reminds readers that the coal miners worked very long hours in awful conditions and mostly wanted things that would help them live longer, things as basic as better ventilation down in the mines. On the other hand, the mine owners were soft men with soft hands who had never set foot inside a mine and who were happy to send entire families to live in cold, muddy encampments or to order murders and beatings just to maximize their earnings. History hasn't been kind to those who stood against the miners unionizing, and neither is Brown.

While this is a novel about something that happened more than 100 years ago, it also feels very timely. Even today, many big companies are very anti-union, and their focus on revenue is the same as it was for mine owners. The division between those who work for a living and those who profit the most from that work is still an issue, and makes this action-packed, character-driven novel feel extremely contemporary.

Gabino Iglesias is an author, book reviewer and professor living in Austin, Texas. Find him on X, formerly Twitter, at @Gabino_Iglesias .

Former Wilmington resident's latest book chronicles 'Rednecks' in West Virginia

Taylor Brown's latest book, "Rednecks," covers coal miners in West Virginia.

Former Wilmington resident Taylor Brown takes the long view of things.

His first novel, "Fallen Land," was set in the Civil War. His "River of Kings" dealt, in part, with a French effort to plant a settlement in Georgia in the 1500s, before Walter Raleigh's "Lost Colony."

"Gods of Howl Mountain" followed moonshine runners in the North Carolina mountains in the 1950s, the era of "Thunder Road." "Wingwalkers" flew with barnstorming pilots in the 1920s.

Brown returns to the '20s in his latest novel, "Rednecks," to a half-forgotten chapter of American history, the "Coal Mine Wars" in southwestern West Virginia.

It's quite a yarn.

Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

Unless you're from West-By-God-Virginia or happened to see the John Sayles movie "Matewan," chances are you've never heard of all this.

In 1920 and 1921, coal miners in Mingo and Logan counties tried to join the United Mine Workers of America.

They worked up to 14 hours a day in dangerous conditions. (The coal companies at first provided metal helmets for the mules who pulled carts underground, but not for the men. Mules cost more money.) Boys as young as 11 or 12 were laboring at dangerous jobs. The miners and their families had to live in squalid, company-owned shacks, shop at company-owned stores that often took only company scrip and charged outrageous prices.

Even the churches were company-owned.

When miners began to strike for safer conditions and more pay, the coal companies sent in mine guards and "detectives" -- essentially, gunmen.

The fight was bloody.

In the "Matewan Massacre," a shootout between miners and company gunmen, more men died than at the OK Corral. Tht town of Matewan was different since the chief of police, Sid Hatfield, was a former miner and sympathetic to their cause. A not-so-distant relative of the feuding Hatfields, Sheriff Hatfield would become a hero of the miners' cause.

In the climactic "Battle of Blair Mountain" -- when the National Guard got involved -- both sides fired more than a million rounds of ammunition, making it the largest land battle on North America since the Civil War. The coal-company thugs actually fired World War I-surplus poison gas at the miners.

Brown shows the action mainly through the eyes of "Doc Moo," a Lebanese-born physician who treats a lot of wounded men. (In an author's note, Brown explains the doctor is based on his own great-grandfather.) Another key character is Big Frank Hugham, an African-American miner and union organizer.

Mixed in are actual historical figures, including the dashing Hatfield and Mary Harris "Mother" Jones, the lady who inspired the magazine. Once reviled as "the most dangerous woman in America," Jones was an Irish immigrant, a former schoolteacher turned union activist. Well into her 80s, she traveled to West Virginia to rally the miners with rousing speeches.

Brown writes in the "Rough South" tradition of Harry Crews, Tim McLaurin and Larry Brown. His prose is vivid, brisk with the ear of a storyteller, and the events he describes are so bloody, they'd make Cormac McCarthy cringe. "Rednecks" is a hard book to forget.

Book review

By Taylor Brown

St. Martin's, $29

IMAGES

Pin on Books I've Read
CHILDREN'S BOOKS
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
The Chronicles of Narnia (series)
This is Narnia: I Can Read by
I really wanted the edition with this cover, until I realized that the books were in

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COMMENTS

[The Chronicles of Narnia]: A Review
For the past fifty years, The Chronicles of Narnia have transcended the fantasy genre to become part of the canon of classic literature. Each of the seven books is a masterpiece, drawing the reader into a land where magic meets reality, and the result is a fictional world whose scope has fascinated generations.".
The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
The book that has it all is The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, written in 1949 by Clive Staples Lewis. But Lewis did not stop there. Six more books followed, and together they became known as The Chronicles of Narnia. For the past fifty years, The Chronicles of Narnia have transcended the fantasy genre to become part of the canon of classic ...
The Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis [A Review]
The Chronicles of Narnia need no introduction. CS Lewis' series comprises seven children's novels where children have adventures in the magical land of Narnia, participating in battles and quests, always under the watchful eye and guidance of Aslan the lion. This edition produces the novels in the author's preferred order - The Magician ...
Book Series Review: The Chronicles of Narnia
The Chronicles of Narnia follow four children Ann, Martin, Rose and Peter. While playing, the accidentally end up in Narnia, a world where animals can talk and magic is real. The children get caught up in a battle between animals and the witch that rules Narnia. It is up to the children to save their friend and the residents of Narnia with the help of a lion and new friends they make.
Chronicles of Narnia- 7 book reviews
Tirian, King of Narnia, calls for aid from the children, friends of Narnia who have helped save the country in the past. The book culminates in a clash between the Narnians and Calormenes, and the Last Battle is fought with the odds against King Tirian. *Spoilers in my review* 3/5 stars if you want to skip it.
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe: The Chronicles of Narnia, Book 1
Parents need to know that the The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is the first book published in C.S. Lewis' classic Chronicles of Narnia series, which children have loved for generations. Lewis, a devout Christian, weaves lots of Christian allegory into the book (and the series as a whole), but the story can be enjoyed on many levels, by all kinds of readers.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
The Lion, The Witch, The Wardrobe (Chronicles of Narnia, #1), C.S. Lewis The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is a fantasy novel for children, by C. S. Lewis, published by Geoffrey Bles in 1950. It is the first published and best known of seven novels in The Chronicles of Narnia (1950-1956).
The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
Read 109 reviews from the world's largest community for readers. The Magician's Nephew opens the doorway to the magical land of Narnia for the first time..…
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe: The Chronicles of Narnia
C.S. Lewis's timeless classic, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, is a captivating tale that weaves together the magic of a hidden world, the trials of courage, and the ultimate triumph of good over evil.Initially inspired by the wartime circumstances that brought three young girls into Lewis's care, the narrative unfolds as a fantastical escape into the enchanting land of Narnia.
Book Review #6: The Chronicles of Narnia
This is a depressing and violent book with one-dimensional characters and a story that is unengaging and disappointing. The ending, with its overtly religious tones, is a confusing and chaotic mess. Rating: 2/10. My personal ranking for the series: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. The Magician's Nephew.
Book Review
Review of 'The Voyage of the Dawn Treader', the fifth book in CS Lewis' 'The Chronicles of Narnia' in which we join Edmund and Lucy, and their disbelieving cousin, Eustace, as they voyage with Caspian into unknown seas and unexplored lands.
The Chronicles of Narnia
The Chronicles of Narnia is a series of seven portal fantasy novels by British author C. S. Lewis.Illustrated by Pauline Baynes and originally published between 1950 and 1956, the series is set in the fictional realm of Narnia, a fantasy world of magic, mythical beasts and talking animals.It narrates the adventures of various children who play central roles in the unfolding history of the ...
The Chronicles of Narnia
The Chronicles of Narnia, a series of seven children's books by C.S. Lewis: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (1950), Prince Caspian (1951), The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (1952), The Silver Chair (1953), The Horse and His Boy (1954), The Magician's Nephew (1955), and The Last Battle (1956). The series is considered a classic of fantasy literature and has influenced many other fantasy ...
Chronicles of Narnia book review: The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe
While few Christians may have read all seven books in C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia, a vast majority are familiar with the second book in the series. The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe. What an interesting name to those who may not have heard it before.I will not spend much time summarizing the plot of this fairy tale, which has threads of Christian theology throughout.
How to Read the Chronicles of Narnia Books in Order
2. Prince Caspian: The Return to Narnia (1951) After a year away from Narnia, Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy find themselves back in Narnia where they once ruled as Kings and Queens. While only 12 ...
Book Review
The Telmarines have conquered the country and are persecuting the true-born Narnians. Prince Caspian, seeing the evil done by his usurping uncle, King Miraz, and with his army heavily outnumbered, in desperation blows The Great Horn of Narnia. Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy, heroes from the distant past, find themselves once more in the kingdom ...
Book Review: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the
I first read this book when I was much younger and have read it many times since then, yet not in recent years. I just finished reading it once again about a month ago. Just like when I read the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe for the very first time there was so much magic and wonder that engulfed me once more, and will again many times more.
The Chronicles of Narnia
Don't miss one of America's top 100 most-loved novels, selected by PBS's The Great American Read.. Experience all seven tales of C. S. Lewis's classic fantasy series, The Chronicles of Narnia, in one impressive paperback volume! Epic battles between good and evil, fantastic creatures, betrayals, heroic deeds, and friendships won and lost all come together in this unforgettable world ...
The Chronicles of Narnia Book Review
The Chronicles of Narnia. Add to Favourites. All seven tales in The Chronicles of Narnia are bound together, with full-colour illustrations, in one magnificent hardcover volume with a personal introduction by Douglas Gresham, stepson of C. S. Lewis. Talking beasts, heroic deeds and epic battles between good and evil await you in C. S. Lewis's ...
The Chronicles of Narnia (Chronological Order) Series
The Chronicles of Narnia (Chronological Order) Series. 7 primary works • 11 total works. An alternative reading order based solely on the internal chronology of the novels with the exception of The Horse and His Boy which takes place during the time frame of the final few pages of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe movie
In the opening scenes of "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," two brothers and two sisters from the Pevensie family are evacuated from London and sent to live in a vast country house where they will be safe from the nightly Nazi air raids. Playing hide-and-seek, Lucy, the youngest, ventures into a wardrobe that ...
Chronicles Of Narnia In Order (Books & Movies)
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (1988) Prince Caspian and the Voyage of the Dawn Treader (1989) The Silver Chair (1990) The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (2005 ...
The books that inspired a new generation of fantasy
The Chronicles of Narnia - Prince Caspian, 2008, Walt Disney Pictures. 24. The Fires of Industry. In contrast to this respect of nature for its own sake, there is the opposing viewpoint which the ...
The Chronicles of Narnia (film series)
The Chronicles of Narnia is a fantasy film series and media franchise based on The Chronicles of Narnia, a series of novels by C. S. Lewis.The series revolves around the adventures of children in the world of Narnia, guided by Aslan, a wise and powerful lion that can speak and is the true king of Narnia.The children heavily featured in the films are the Pevensie siblings, and a prominent ...
9 Books to Read If You Love The Lord of the Rings
A Wizard of Earthsea. 4. The first novel of Ursula K. Le Guin's must-read Earthsea Cycle. $15.99 save 48%. $8.31 at Amazon. Of course whenever you're making a list of the best fantasy titles you ...
Narnia lives! Greta Gerwig will direct two Narnia films for Netflix
The Chronicles of Narnia is a seven-book strong fantasy series about a fantastical land that lies on the other side of a wardrobe, full of magic, mystery, and thinly veiled allegories for Jesus ...
The Silver Chair (Chronicles of Narnia, #4)
Completed at the beginning of March 1951 and published 7 September 1953, The Silver Chair is the first Narnia book not involving the Pevensie children, focusing instead on Eustace. Several months after The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, Aslan calls Eustace back to Narnia along with his classmate Jill Pole.
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Taylor Brown's 'Rednecks' book review Taylor Brown's Rednecks is a superb historical drama full of violence and larger-than-life characters that chronicles the events of leading to the Battle of ...
Former Wilmington resident's latest book chronicles 'Rednecks' in West
Former Wilmington resident Taylor Brown takes the long view of things. His first novel, "Fallen Land," was set in the Civil War. His "River of Kings" dealt, in part, with a French effort to plant ...
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Patterning of a Fantastic World
3.72. 18 ratings5 reviews. The well-known and well-loved books that make up C.S. Lewis's "Chronicles of Narnia" have long held a prominent place on many a child's (and adult's) bookshelf. Since their publication in the 195Os, the books' depiction of the fantasy land of Narnia has inspired the wonder, delight, and imaginations of children around ...

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[The Chronicles of Narnia]: A Review

This series really is one story with seven parts.

Favorite Characters:

A Few Thoughts on Aslan:

Favorite Scenes from each book:

What We Can Learn from Narnia:

The Narnia books are classics and favorites of mine for so many reasons. These books teach us the importance of faith, courage, strength and sacrifice. They are timeless for any reader young or old.

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Chronicles of Narnia- 7 book reviews

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The books that inspired a new generation of fantasy

42. Where Does the Inspiration Come From?

41. Procrastination, Such an Aggravation

40. No Lion? You’re Lyin’!

39. I Hope They Got Some Royalties

38. From Subconscious to Conscious

37. Clear Message from Here on Out

36. Special Thanks to Roger

35. Even More Thanks to Roger!

34. This World is Big Enough for the Both of Us

33. Priorities

32. Let’s Go to the Movies!

31. On Second Thought…

30. Keep Breathing! That’s the Key!

29. Lewis Loved His Lore…

28. Original Names

27. Did She Turn into a Snake Too?

26. The Book Never Sold Well in Russia Anyway…

25. We Are All Connected