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: Classic Fantasy That All Should Enjoy
Summary: 5 Stars
After reading the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, I found myself wondering if I would ever find a series so spell-binding as the one J.R.R Tolkien created. Then I came upon the Chronicles of Narnia, which my younger brother had read and enjoyed tremendously. I later found out that Lewis was a good friend of Tolkien's and this also influenced my resolve to read the books. I began reading with "The Magician's Nephew", and loved the creativity and believablity that Lewis created in the book. The characters were well-developed and interesting, though not as memorable as the characters found the latter books. So I continued and read them all, not pausing in the slightest, because I was so enraptured by the originality and style of writing. The books that stand out most for me are "The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe", which is an instant classic for anyone, "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader", which had the most action and a great ending, and "The Last Battle", which is excellent beyond words and reunites all the characters from the previous books. "Prince Caspian" and "The Silver Chair" are also enthralling books. "The Magician's Nephew" is a weaker book, but made for a good introduction, I personally think reading "The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe" as the introduction would strengthen the series. And "The Horse and His Boy" was a side story, basically to tell about the Empire of Cashmere. Overall I was extremely impressed, the plot line was creative and the writing style was captivating. In my book this series ranks right along side The Lord of the Rings as brillant fantasies none have seemed to match. On a simple level this book is merely a fanastic story where animals talk and demons roam, and heroes emerge victorious. On more advanced level the books impart religious lessons that should be taught and explained to the children who read the books. On this higher level of understanding the books open up to allow, even older readers to enjoy them. A recommended book for all ages because along with swordplay, this book gives many important life lessons.
Book Review: excellent books that you be read in both orders
Summary: 5 Stars
I have loved these books since elementary school. I still read a paperback set I have had since then. Cover art by Roger Hane. The price on the back is $.... Not anymore. As a child, I realized the books were not in chronological order, but never really knew the right chronological order. I have learned now that the books were not written in the order they were published. Order written LWW,the Lafay Fragment (an early attempt at the Magicians Nephew), PC, VofTD, HahB, SC, MN (1st draft), LB, and MN (final draft). We all know the order they were published. Now I always read them in publishing order as a child and then I wasn't sure if they should be read in the chrono order. I agree with some reviewers that LWW is the book that really catches your interest. I read that once, when asked by a young fan who pointed out the chrono order even though his mother told him to read them in published order Lewis responded by saying "I think I agree with your order for reading the books more than with your mothers." Once you have read them, I think you get a wonder historical perspective by reading them in chrono order. I love them no matter which order I read them. As to praises and complaints about the Christian allegory, well I came from a strongly religious family, and even though I am not so religious now, I still think there is a beautiful respresentation of Christianity here. I understand that Lewis did not see this sereies as allegorical. That what he wanted to show here was not a retelling of the story of Christ, but a telling of a story about Christ or Aslans arrival in another world (Narnia). Either way, I think it is a great way to introduce the story of Christ in a story more appealing to younger children. I think the stories can be read for pleasure of for looking at Christianity.
As to charges of racism. Well, it breaks my childhood heart to think such terrible things about these book. I suppose you can read some racism into these book. That the bad guys are dark skinned, and worrship false gods. Like the Christian allegory it's there if you look for it. While I think one was intended, I think the other was not.
Book Review: A Very Interesting Series.
Summary: 4 Stars
The Chronicles of Narnia Boxed Set is a good series. For those of you who have read Lord of the Rings and such, these are very closely on the same line.I remember reading The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe in fifth grade, and had thought it a good book. Recently I got the whole set, and I was very impressed. I will do a review on each book.
The Magician's Nephew: This is to show you how the land of Narnia began, and gives insight into the others. It's not that great of a book on it's own, but great as a prelude to the ones to come. Story seems to end rather abruptly, but it was worth reading, probably the worse of them all. It show how Narnia was created and such.
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe: This is the book that really kicked off the series. It has plenty of action, and has a very creative element to it. The story has an old feel to it, but a good one I should add. Probably one of the better out of the series. Four children are find a doorway to Narnia in a wardrobe.
The Horse and His Boy: A truly awesome book, I think this might have been the best one. This focuses on a boy and a talking horse who are trying to get to Narnia.
Prince Caspian: This had a slow start, but picked up and was going strong, but ends rather abruptly as well. The four (Peter, Lucy, Edmund, Susan) children are summoned once again to Narnia to restore peace to the land, thousands of years after their first adventure in Narnian years.
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader: The second best out of them. This takes place only 3 years after Prince Caspian, in which Lucy, Edmund, and their cousin Eustace are brought on board the Narnian ship The Dawn Treader to look for men that were exiled years ago.
The Silver Chair: A decent read, not the worse, but it could have used improvement in places. Eustace returns to Narnia, with a friend Jill, nearly 60 years after the last adventure to help Caspian find his lost son Prince Rilian.
The Last Battle: I haven't gotten to this book yet, not very far at least, so I can't give an accurate review.
Overall, it's worth buying this series, if you like Fantasy, and it's long enough to keep anyone busy for awhile.
Book Review: Stop Griping
Summary: 5 Stars
First thing is first. I own another box set that goes in chronilogical order, and I find it easier to read 1-7 and not dates of publish. I mean haven't you ever heard of a pre-lude, or a prequel? The reason Lewis put the Magician's Nephew out after all of the others (except The Last Battle) was to explain Narnia and introduce the world BEFORE you read the already published The Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe. If you are going to rag on the publishing company for putting them in chronilogical order, why not while your at it rag on whoever publishes the Lord of the Rings books for putting The Hobbit first. And if you want to get real picky, lets rag on the people in show business who make The Mummy and Star Wars for putting them in chronological order. It just would't make since reading them in the way they were published because by the time you finished the Magician's Nephew, you would have to read the previous book to understand what is happening in the book published after the Magician's Nephew. Its like reading chapters 1-5, stopping to read chapter one, then going on to read the rest of the book. Does that make since? Now that I am done defending my opinion, on to the review of the books. They are great whether you are 10 or 100, Christian, Muslim, Jewish, or if you worship that gnat that just landed on your computer monitor. They are easy to read for young children, yet the meaning behind the books would puzzle even somebody who was valadictorian in college. If you are going on a long trip or just love to read any kind of fiction I guarantee you will have a great time with either of these books, in or out of chronilogical order. So if you have the money, pick up one or all of these timeless books today. P.S. to the person who said something about Lewis making money off of the people who make Turkish delights: it only mentions Turkish Delights in like the second chapter only, nothing more. If you are really going to stop reading the books because of that you really need to lighten up because you and your grandchildren are missing out on a lot.
Book Review: Absolutely enchanting, absolutely intelligent
Summary: 5 Stars
Each of these books is wonderful and entertaining in its own right, but as a series they are stupendous; each book sheds a bit more light on some episode or character elsewhere in the series, piecing together the Christian allegory Lewis intended. The books are written in such a fashion as to be enjoyed by readers of all ages, and Lewis's skillful blend of fantasy and mythology, combined with his artful storytelling, make each volume difficult to put down.The series follows the oft-repeated rule that Narnian time and "our time" (Lewis often addresses the reader directly in the first person) do not correlate, so that in "our world," two or three years might be hundreds of Narnian years, and vice versa. In this way, the children who enjoy the adventures in the books are privileged to witness and participate in crucial elements in Narnian history from Creation to "The Last Battle." As for the events themselves, they are an entertaining compendium of adventures, from daring rescues (The Silver Chair) to courageous explorations (The Voyage of the Dawn Treader), and from valiant struggles (Prince Caspian) to startling discoveries (The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe), among others.
In each book and each adventure, readers will recognize Lewis for his crafty tale weaving, but upon closer examination, will find him ever the apologist as well, steering his observant readers toward Christ (or Aslan, as he is known in Narnia).
These books are an absolute delight, and they possess the ever-elusive quality of appeal to the youngest child, as well as the well-read intellectual.
As to the apparent controversy about the order in which the books were placed, I think it matters little whether one reads "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe" (book 2 in this set) or "The Magician's Nephew" (book 1 in this set) first, as it is easy to understand the argument for each after having read the books. If you prefer chronological order, read them in the order in which they come in the box; if not, read #2 first. Do read them though; they are a rare treat.