The Chronicles of Narnia Boxed Set
by C. S. Lewis
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Book Reviews of The Chronicles of Narnia Boxed Set
Book Review: A fantasy world about the real world: my analysis of Narnia
Summary: 5 Stars
On the level of children, the Narnia Chronicles function as a perfectly comprehensible and exciting fantasy adventure about children who are magically transported into the world of Narnia, a parallel world with fantastic creatures (fauns, giants, dwarves, and witches) and exciting events (battles, journeys, and voyages). Each story functions independently, and features children from the real world who are faced with a quest to help the Narnians, a quest they complete with the vital involvement of the great Lion, Aslan. The Harry Potter series - often regarded as a worthy successor of the Narnia series - is a success because it mirrored our real world. But the Narnia tales are superior and successful for different reasons. They are more demanding on the reader and more imaginative precisely because they doesn't mirror the real world. And that is their strength. Full of suspense, fantasy, excitement, and adventure, when assessed purely as an imaginative story for children, the Narnia Chronicles are worthy of the success they has enjoyed. But when read on an adult level, the Narnia Chronicles function as a powerful medium used by Lewis to impart powerful spiritual truths about Christianity and theology. Readers familiar with the Bible will especially find Biblical allusions numerous and recognizable. In "The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe" there are allusions to Satan's deceptive schemes in promising mankind kingship over the world, as well as to the death and resurrection of Christ as a substitutionary atonement in saving sinners from Satan (p.165ff). This cannot be regarded as a strict allegory, because otherwise one will be quick to point out its shortcomings (in Scripture it is God's justice, not Satan, that Christ must make a deal with). "Prince Caspian" portrays spiritual warfare, showing the importance of our sufficiency being in Christ and not in ourselves (p.270). It also demonstrates the folly of atheism and importance of living by faith and not by sight, since God's invisible nature does not mean he does not exist (p.150). "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" presents a vivid portrait of a sinner as a dragon that needs Christ to take off the scales of his old nature and dress him in the clothes of a new nature (p.155ff). One of the highlights of the series, it depicts a journey to the end of time as a geographical journey to the end of the world, portraying time as a place. "The Silver Chair" emphasizes the truth of Deuteronomy 6 that the signs of God's Word need to be carefully remembered and obeyed, no matter what the appearances (p.24-25). Sin is clearly the fault of man (p.123), and the only solution is to drink from Christ the living water, for there is no other source of water apart from him (p.20-21). "The Horse and the Boy" marvellously shows how by the providence of God, Christ is behind all the events of our life, even hurt and pain, working for good (p.175) - "It wasn't luck at all really, it was Him!" (p.180). "The Magician's Nephew" reflects on the motifs of creation and fall, as evil enters a beautiful world where a man and his wife are king and queen (p.142). And appropriately "The Last Battle" features an antichrist (donkey in a lion's skin) with its terrible result - "he had never dreamed that one of the results of an ape's setting up a false Aslan would be to stop people believing in the real one." (p.92). Complete with apocalyptic imagery of the sun going blood red (p.196), there is a final battle which ushers in eternal life, painted by Lewis in vivid colours.
The key to the whole series, however, is evident in "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader", where Aslan says "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." About the real world, Aslan observes "There I have another name. You must learn to know me by that name." (p.270). This is an apparent inconsistency in the Narnia Chronicles, because none of the characters actually seem to know Christ in the real world - Eustace doesn't even know Adam and Eve ("The Silver Chair" p.40). Yet it is clear that Lewis wants our understanding of Aslan in the world of Narnia to lead to a growing knowledge of Christ in the real world. Like Christ, Alsan inspires, comforts, and guides. Meeting Aslan evokes a sense of awe, fear and delight ("The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe", p.86), because he is "both terrible and good" (p.140ff), paralleling the holiness and mercy of the only Saviour Jesus Christ. In all the upheavals and conflicts of Narnia, there is one constant: Aslan.
In light of these profound spiritual truths underlying the story-line, one must be compelled to acknowledge the enduring significance of Lewis' achievement in the Narnia Chronicles, and agree that this series has rightfully garnered a status among the literary classics. Even Lewis, however, has weaknesses. Why the "good guys" needed to resort to occultic practices such as astrology and use of crystals was beyond me. Moreover, the occasional use of expletives such as "Lor", "gosh" and "golly" (once even "Gawd") seemed to me a thinly-veiled form of blasphemy. Particularly puzzling is the suggestion of a kind of limited universalism in "The Last Battle", as Aslan accepts the unbeliever Emeth's service to the false god Tash as service rendered to him (p.205).
But these are minor quibbles, not foundational criticisms. Narnia may exist only in Lewis imagination and ours, but a journey there will not be without profit. Lewis has given us a legacy that will not only entertain us with a sparkling and imaginative fantasy world, but will remind us of very real spiritual truths about Jesus Christ. "All worlds draw to an end, except Aslan's own country" ("The Last Battle" p.111) and those who know Him will indeed live forever.
Book Review: Once upon a time...
Summary: 5 Stars
C.S. Lewis was many things - a popular theologian (almost a contradiction in terms today), an engaging academic (see above qualification, as it applies here, too), and an expert storyteller, the craft of which came from his careful blending and imaginative use of the previous two. The Chronicles of Narnia stand up favourable to the work of Lewis' longtime friend and contemporary academic and storyteller, Tolkien (of Lord of the Rings fame). Narnia, however, does not go off into the same fantastic realms of Tolkien, but rather charts a different path, in that while Tolkien strives to use fantasy and mythic elements to tell more general philosophy, Lewis in the Narnia tales deliberately crafts the imagery to fit a Christian framework, and a fairly Anglo-catholic one at that.
Narnia is series of adventures for children, but like the best of such stories, continues to hold power for adults who read them as well. Resurgence in popularity of late has occurred because of the film, 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe', second in the series (depending upon which chronology one follows), but the whole series is a charmer. In 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe', the story focuses upon Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy, four exiles from war-time London in the English countryside who discover the portal to Narnia in the back of a mysterious wardrobe. The king of Narnia, Aslan the lion (whose imagery fits both Christian and English mythic lore) is battling the icy witch, who styles herself as Queen of Narnia. Through a classic struggle of good and evil in epic battle format, the pure-hearted children and the graceful king Aslan win the day, but eventually the children must return to their own world, even after such adventures.
'Prince Caspian' takes place long after (in Narnia time - one discovers the passage of time from one world to the next is variable), as Caspian befriends many of the creatures of Narnia, both natural and fantastic. The four children, enthroned as kings and queens of Narnia at the end of the first adventure, must return to help Caspian, whose main desire is to live in old Narnia, forbidden tales of which he has heard.
'Voyage of the Dawn' sees Edmund and Lucy drawn back into Narnia through a painting, together with their horrid cousin Eustace Scrubb. Caspian is now king, on a knightly quest to discover lost knights of old, and also to seek the end of the world (in a literal sense). Sea voyages and other journeys take them far and wide, until Aslan again appears to return the children home. Eustace becomes a better person for his Narnia adventures, much as Edmund had transformed during his first major Narnia experience.
Eustace returns in the 'The Silver Chair', this time from his school, with fellow student Jill, who is also less than popular. Jill, like the earlier Edmund, must find redemption, and seeks to save Rilian (son of the now-dying Caspian). Here we encounter the Parliament of Owls as well as the bottom of the world - once again, Aslan helps to save the day, despite the nay-saying of Puddleglum.
Shasta is the boy and Bree is the horse in 'The Horse and His Boy'. Shasta is about to be sold into slavery when he escapes with Bree, and they meet Aravis and Hwin, another escaping duo, on their way to Narnia. They uncover a plot against Narnia, and must work to save the kingdom of their dreams.
'The Magician's Nephew' is often considered the first of the series, with events that preceed 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe'. It gives background and insight into the overall workings of Narnia. Polly and Digory discover the portal to the Woods between the Worlds, and there is a greater mix of worlds here than in any other story. However, this is also the beginning of the other stories, with Aslan providing the same kind of guidance he would throughout the series.
'The Last Battle' is, as the title suggests, the last of the series. Narnia falls into the final conflict of good and evil, with a false Aslan (a false messiah figure) appearing and humans destroying all things around, particularly the natural environment. Old Narnia must pass away, but a new Narnia is held in promise as the real Aslan returns to lead the faithful.
While many of Lewis' original readers were occasionally disturbed by the Christian overall (and indeed, at Lewis' interpretation of Christian lore), in fact the state of biblical illiteracy is such today that most will miss much of the Christian allegory unless it is specially spelled out. Narnia can stand on its own merits as a story independent of its underpinnings, but just as most mythological and even biblical stories can achieve, this one becomes stronger the deeper one explores the symbolic meanings.
Lewis is very much a creature of his culture - this is very post-Victorian (read, more Victorian than the Victorians) in style and morals, even in the 1950s (a time so many in our present culture look back to as a high point in moral culture) he was looking back to a better time - perhaps it is no surprise that instead of finding it in the past, he found it in Narnia?
This is a series that is wonderful for children of all ages, and for adults - the tales bear repeating over and over, and many editions of these texts come with wonderful artwork. This particular one has illustrations by Pauline Baynes, the original illustrator for the series, and they are wonderful indeed.
Book Review: A great series for everyone, young and old.
Summary: 5 Stars
The Chronicles of Narnia is one of my favorite book series ever. It doesnt matter how young or old you are, anyone can enjoy this series. The reading is light so children can read it and have fun, yet the themes are deep so adults can enjoy it. I've actually grew up with Narnia to some extent. The books were always around and we owned the BBC movie versions. I never read them though and absolutly hated the BBC versions so I didnt plan to read em either. Luckly about 3 months ago or so, I found out my friend was reading them and he thought they were awesome so I thought Id give em another chance. Im sooo glad I did. The books are great. Yea they may have been ment for kids but adults can certainly enjoy em as well.
There are seven stories in the series and each one is totally new and differnt than the one before it. It doesnt follow the "Harry Potter" method where each book is the same with a differnt title attatched to it to make it look like youre reading another book. Each book takes place in a differnt period of time in Narnia's history, spanning about 2000 Narnian years all together.
The Magicians Nephew- Basically, the beginning of Narnia. Two kids end up a magical forest with small pools scattered throughout after being given two magical rings that have the power to transport them a differnt world. They eventually end up in a new world uncreated yet and witness its creation. Even though its labled book 1... I dont think it should be read till after The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe- Four kids enter a magical land, filled with mythical creatures and covered in snow, through an old wardrobe. The land though is under the power of the evil White Witch who makes it always winter. When the white witch learns of the childrens entrance into Narnia, she frears the fulfillment of an ancient profacy may be at hand, she seeks to capture all four children to make sure no one puts an end to her white wonderland. (Takes place 1000 years, Narnia time, after the Magicians Nephew)
The Horse and His Boy- A slave boy escapes from his captive along side a talking horse named Bree. Fleeing across the desert they meet up with a young girl, and her talking horse. They become friends and make way through the desert ducking and hiding trying to keep away from the evil rulers of Calormen and sneak off into the Free Country of the North (Narnia). The only book in the series to take place entirely in Narnia.
Prince Caspian-The same four kids from LWW, are called back to Narnia by Prince Caspian. Caspian life has become indangered and has fled his evil uncle, King of Narnia, who wants Caspian dead so his own son can become the next king instead of Caspian who is the rightful heir to the throne. The creatures of the "old Narnia" come together to fight with Caspian angainst his uncle and make Narnia a pieceful place filled with the mythical creatures of the old days. (Takes place 200 *or 300* years or so after LWW and HHB)
Voyage of the Dawn Treader-Lucy and Edmund are staying at thier spoiled cousin, Eustace's house when they are all three magically transported into Narnia through a painting and find them selves on the Dawn Treader, Caspians ship. King Caspian has vowed to find the seven lost lords and bring them back to the kingdom after they were sent away when his evil uncle had taken over. My favorite book in the series personally, mostly cause its a sea voyage and they find themselves on adventure after adventure and not a dull moment. (Takes place 3 years after PC)
The Silver Chair- Two kids at school find themselves in Narnia after running through a door to hide from a teacher. This time, they have been called to help find King Caspians son, Rilian who had simply disappeared many years before while looking for the one who murdered his mom. Now King Caspian is old and dying getting ready to take his final voyage with no one to take the throne after he dies. Jill and Eustace set out on the quest with some help from a glum little fellow to unravel the mystery of what happened to Rilian and what could happen to Narnia if they fail. (Takes place 70 years after VTD)
The Last Battle-The last book in the series and basically the End of Narnia. Eustace and Jill are called back into Narnia as a mischievious plan is hatched by an ape, Shift. Shift, with the help of his ignorant friend, Puzzle, they set in motion a chain of events that brings about corruption, evil, pain and eventually the distruction and end of Narnia. (Takes place 200 years or so after The Silver Chair)
Great series. Totally recommend it for all ages. If youre an adult and never read em before, I'd still check em out. They are fun, entertaining, exciting, sad, everything. The Christian themes in the book shouldnt bother anyone unless you absolutly hate any kind of allegory, Christianity, or whatever. I think an athiest can get just as much out of them as a Christian but maybe in a differnt way. Still, dont let the Christian label keep you from reading these books. Theyre awesome and well written.
Book Review: Timeless, Ageless, Raceless and Non-Denominational!
Summary: 5 Stars
You know, I've read reviews saying that these books are trying to shove religion and Christianity down children's throats, but I speak from experience. I grew up with my Dad who is a very strict Catholic, and I never caught the religious symbols. I saw the battle between Good and Evil, I saw the choices between Right and Wrong and the struggle between Willpower and Desire. I saw a lesson for children of any religious or racial background. C.S. Lewis wrote about the good creator, Aslan, and about evil in many forms. And if he were really trying to tout his message, fauns, centaurs, Lions, conscious talking animals, etc. would not have been used. I believe he just wanted to give children and truly enjoyable story with a message of the difference between Good and Evil and how to be a Good, Cosciencious person!It worked for me, while other kids were playing video games and reading books that were either non-sensical or rather violent, I was becoming a deep thinker. These books helped me to become older than my age. They gave me something to believe in while fighting my way through the ignorant persecution of the mindless children around me. I did find a sort of spirituality, but not in a dominating religious way. I found the inherent goodness in life, the belief in powers not conceivable by humans and the peace that comes from this knowledge, that some things are meant to be and that we do have others watching over us.
As for any racial/sexist inuendos, you have to keep in mind that these books were written at a time when the bad guys tended to look a bit Middle-Eastern, it was simply an early 20th Century British outlook, an unconscious racism. C.S. Lewis would know better today, but then he probably didn't even consider it. Besides, all the Evil people ARE NOT Middle Eastern! What about The WHITE Witch? Tall, fair and CAUCASIAN! As was the Witch/Serpent of The Silver Chair. Caspian's EVIL Uncle Miraz was WHITE too! And as for the girls not fighting, that was C.S. Lewis' personal knowledge. He fought in WWI, he knew what a gory, awful sight war was. He was protecting the girls from being damaged by such horrors.
Now to get to my other point. THIS Numerical Chronological Order is as it was INTENDED. Here's a rundown:
#1.) The Magicians Nephew: Creation of Narnia, first humans to enter the land come into play.
#2.) The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe: Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy enter Narnia via the Wardrobe which was made possible by an object brought back to our world because of the Magician's Nephew.
#3.) The Horse and His Boy: Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy are still in Narnia at this time, it involves a bit of backtracking but cannot be read before The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe OR after Prince Caspian, because by then, The Pevensies have already come back again and are remembering their court days.
#4.) Prince Caspian: Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy are back again and find Cair Paravel much different than it was when they left. They must restore a new ruler to the throne.
#5.) The Voyage of the Dawn Treader: Prince Caspian is King and takes Edmund and Lucy on a new adventure.
#6.) The Silver Chair: Eustace is back again and must help King Caspian's son.
#7.) The Last Battle: A descendant of Caspian needs help yet again and all our old friends from all the previous books come back to find a surprise more wonderful that they ever could have possibly imagined!
This order makes the most sense. If you want to be suprised by the Professor, Lampost, etc. Then read the 2nd book (The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe) first and then read the 1st book (The Magician's Nephew) second to find out about all the stuff that happened before and why the lampost is there, etc. After that, proceed on as I have numbered the books above.
Honestly people, admit that it doesn't make sense to get all the way through all the visits with the Pevensies and getting to know Narnia well and then have to backtrack all the way back to the beginning JUST before you read the end! I can't understand why people continued to publish them that way. I know, I know, it is how they were first released. BUT, C.S. Lewis did that as an afterthought so that when more people read his books, they could know the story of Narnia so that they had something to build on by the time they read The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe!
Chronological order makes the most sense, backtracking back to the beginning and the Golden Age of Narnia can only be confusing! This boxed set has the right idea, Mix up the first two books if you must (meaning read #2 and I have numbered it first and then read #1) but please, don't read #1 and #3 right before reading #7 and after reading #'s 2, 4, 5, and 6! Backtracking through the ellapse of Time in Narnia is very silly. Who cares in what order they were written and published? Read them in the order in which TIME and the STORYLINE PROGRESSES!
Book Review: A Question of Order: On the Reading of Naria
Summary: 5 Stars
With two publication orders of Narnia, many people question which to read. For several reasons, I recommend the first publication order to be read first, the internal chronology second..If one reads the history of Narnia as strictly that, one is much more likely to lose the truths Lewis was trying to impart. When one reads The Lion, if they had not read Magician's Nephew, they will be unaware of where the Lamp-Post came. Lion is essential a story about Edmond coming into the salvation of God. It creates a real sense of wonder, a wonder that would be diluted with knowledge of its creation. It's a mystery, an account. You become less concerned with the book in context of the whole series, and more concerned with the book in context of the book. Some things you might miss or not pay much attention to because you have already taken into account in context of the story's chronology, and not examined what Lewis was trying to say through this. Also, you get to follow the characters throughout the books, which is lost in the new order. The four Pevensies are in Books I and II, then only the two younger are in III, along with a new character, a cousin named Eustace. Then They can no longer go on, and Eustace and Jill Pole is in Book IV. This is lost in the new order. Also, you can see Lewis's growth as a writer, getting more and more realistic in characterization as each book was written. Of course, when he was writing these he was already a phenomenal writer: but this provided room for more growth, and he developed his already great gift even more so.
Also, as Paul Ford points out in his excellent Companion to Narnia, the old order is reflective of Biblical history. God's people are in bondage to the Egyptians, and he frees them. But the wine and groan, and in the end many die in the wilderness. Then they go into Babylon, and hear all these creation stories. After this, they go and record their own history. Lewis, after trying to write a creation story, found he could not, and went on telling other stories of Narnia. Only after coming more and more into the spirit of the series, after a good deal of history had been written, could he go back and finish Magician. To quote the preface, Ford says the original order allows "the reader to experience something experience something truer than even Lewis intended: the primordial necessity of passing first thru redemption, then into a reinterpretation of one's own story, and finally allowing the future to take its providence course". And how true that is. How many times can one understand what God is doing in your life until you come to know him? When you come to the salvation and knowledge of Christ, after some time elapses you can go back and examine your life, and can see where God's hand was on you, guiding you to that place where you met Christ. And in so doing, you come to trust God in a deeper sense, and as he took care of your past, he will also take care of your future. Of course, this was not intentional on Lewis's part, but it shows when God gives someone a gift, that person can reach people in such a way as to be totally beyond the person, and directly pointing to God. This aspect truly points to Jesus Christ and the "great Emperor Beyond the Sea,".
Of course, there is a balance. They are stories, and should be enjoyed as such. Through these stories, Lewis gives children and adults alike truth. However, if you overanalyze them, you are losing the spirit of the series. One must first enjoy them as stories, and not go dissecting them without reading them simply for stories. That is why the chronological order also has its merits. Ironically, however, it is better balanced to read it in original order for reasons cited above, also because you can take each story on its own, appreciating both the story and the symbolism. Without the interconnecting theme of history behind it, you are forced to look more at what the story is and what it is saying as to what the Chronicles is saying as a whole. That is one side. That is not balanced. Then, go back and read the stories in chronological order. That makes you appreciate the series as a whole.
In conclusion, each has its merits, and without each it they are not balanced. But for first time readers, read it in the original order. You will get more out of it. That is the most balanced way to read and appreciate the stories. Afterward, go back and read in chronological order. Then you will have a balanced and complete view of Lewis's fabulous and God-given Chronicles of Narnia.