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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
It was an interesting prelude. I'm glad I read it, though I hope it doesn't overshadow the rest of my reading of the series. I found it, at times, to be slow, but the end result was an interesting and intriguing chronicle.
A book from my childhood, re-read several times over the years. My copy, which I know I bought for myself as I went about completing my Narnian book set, is from 1973 and cost 25p - so I guess it is 51 years since I first read it, when I’d have been 10.
I’ve always loved it as the creation story for Narnia and the multiple links it gives to The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. I’m sure the morality within it went deep, although the overt Christian messages always went over my head and pretty much unnoticed even as a later teenager and early adult. They certainly did nothing to influence my deeply held atheism.
Pretty sure Aslan could easily have sorted out the White Witch then and there if he’d had a mind to, but these stories never work that way, of course.
The significance of Aslan singing Narnia into existence, just as Eru does for Tolkien’s creation had passed me by before, just as the significance of trees in both worlds had (and of course the Judeo-Christian mythology of the Tree of Life and the temptation of an apple with mysterious power).
I re-read this now because for years I’d always seen a link between this book and Suzanne Vega’s wonderfully haunting song The Queen and the Soldier. For some reason I thought Jadis had also swallowed a secret, burning thread - she hadn’t but she had discovered the Deplorable Word. The Queen and Jadis are both similarly arrogant misusers of power who send their soldiers to pointless battles on their behalf, but the Queen does have some sympathetic qualities, unlike Jadis.
The sadness felt by Digory for his dying mother and the instinctive sympathy from Polly are particularly well written and have always gone straight to my heart, along with their abiding friendship.
I hope the story would still appeal to today’s children. Leaving aside the Christian aspects, the basic guide as to the kindest and most honest ways to live still hold true, as do the behaviours and words of disgusting people who think they are above such petty concerns and that the world should just exist for them to exploit and rule, no matter the consequences for others.
I’m sure I shall read this again at some point. It is my third favourite of the Narnian stories.
I’ve always loved it as the creation story for Narnia and the multiple links it gives to The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. I’m sure the morality within it went deep, although the overt Christian messages always went over my head and pretty much unnoticed even as a later teenager and early adult. They certainly did nothing to influence my deeply held atheism.
Pretty sure Aslan could easily have sorted out the White Witch then and there if he’d had a mind to, but these stories never work that way, of course.
The significance of Aslan singing Narnia into existence, just as Eru does for Tolkien’s creation had passed me by before, just as the significance of trees in both worlds had (and of course the Judeo-Christian mythology of the Tree of Life and the temptation of an apple with mysterious power).
I re-read this now because for years I’d always seen a link between this book and Suzanne Vega’s wonderfully haunting song The Queen and the Soldier. For some reason I thought Jadis had also swallowed a secret, burning thread - she hadn’t but she had discovered the Deplorable Word. The Queen and Jadis are both similarly arrogant misusers of power who send their soldiers to pointless battles on their behalf, but the Queen does have some sympathetic qualities, unlike Jadis.
The sadness felt by Digory for his dying mother and the instinctive sympathy from Polly are particularly well written and have always gone straight to my heart, along with their abiding friendship.
I hope the story would still appeal to today’s children. Leaving aside the Christian aspects, the basic guide as to the kindest and most honest ways to live still hold true, as do the behaviours and words of disgusting people who think they are above such petty concerns and that the world should just exist for them to exploit and rule, no matter the consequences for others.
I’m sure I shall read this again at some point. It is my third favourite of the Narnian stories.
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Read it in Spanish to practice. It was cool to learn about how Narnia formed, although this book was mid. I just didn’t love the main characters as much, but still a fun read and a good way to practice.
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
A classic tale of adventure, and a lovely set-up for future tales.
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes