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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
This has never been a favorite of the Narnia books for me... I think because things keep going wrong, and because it's mostly the fault of the main characters. There's a certain reshpeckowiggle in it that I have a soft spot for, though.
Audiobook: 5h.27m.
During the Voyage of the Dawn Treader, Eustace Scrubb encountered some of Narnia's lore, but hardly any of its history. His brief interaction with the Great Lion was loaded with none of the depth and feeling experienced by Edmund and Lucy, and his adventures in that magical world were focused on social and personal developments, rather than any specific task to battle an enemy and protect the land, as had previously been the Pevensie way. Because of this, when Eustace and his schoolmate Jill find themselves in Aslan's country, neither of our protagonists understand the story they've stepped into.
In many ways, this is a simpler story that many in the series. The plot is straightforward, linear, quick-paced, and focused on obedience. Eustace and Jill must give their attention to the signs given by Aslan on the mountain: instructions that, when carefully followed, will lead them to a successful end. I had previously missed the beautiful connection between this set-up and the giving of the Ten Commandments at Sinai, and the Great Commission received on a mountain in Galilee. In each case, information is limited and imperative, requiring submission more than understanding on the part of the listener. And in each case, those who trust and obey the Lawgiver find themselves, one way or another, victorious.
During the Voyage of the Dawn Treader, Eustace Scrubb encountered some of Narnia's lore, but hardly any of its history. His brief interaction with the Great Lion was loaded with none of the depth and feeling experienced by Edmund and Lucy, and his adventures in that magical world were focused on social and personal developments, rather than any specific task to battle an enemy and protect the land, as had previously been the Pevensie way. Because of this, when Eustace and his schoolmate Jill find themselves in Aslan's country, neither of our protagonists understand the story they've stepped into.
In many ways, this is a simpler story that many in the series. The plot is straightforward, linear, quick-paced, and focused on obedience. Eustace and Jill must give their attention to the signs given by Aslan on the mountain: instructions that, when carefully followed, will lead them to a successful end. I had previously missed the beautiful connection between this set-up and the giving of the Ten Commandments at Sinai, and the Great Commission received on a mountain in Galilee. In each case, information is limited and imperative, requiring submission more than understanding on the part of the listener. And in each case, those who trust and obey the Lawgiver find themselves, one way or another, victorious.
I wasn’t as fond of this book because I didn’t quite like the main characters that much as the previous books. Nonetheless, it was still a good adventure.
UGH IT'S STILL SO GOOD
The Silver Chair has a different feel than the rest of the Narnia books. It's more solemn and somehow more grown-up. It deals with death and mistakes and mucking things up, and there's less flashy magic and brightness in it. But it's still a wonderful book, and Puddleglum is absolutely fantastic.
The Silver Chair has a different feel than the rest of the Narnia books. It's more solemn and somehow more grown-up. It deals with death and mistakes and mucking things up, and there's less flashy magic and brightness in it. But it's still a wonderful book, and Puddleglum is absolutely fantastic.
Puddleglum is the best. Remember when Thomas the Apostle said, "Let us also go, that we may die with him"? Despairing enough to think they would all die, but brave enough to go anyway? That's Puddleglum.
Have been working my way through the series this year, and this is the best of the lot (disclaimer: haven't read The Last Battle yet).
Although the Pevensies don't feature, the story is the most interesting and exciting. There's not too much banal chat about food all the time (the earlier books are basically just occasional fights in between intensely-described meals). And although Aslan features, it's not in the overpowering, Christian analogy way that he does in some of the other books, like The Horse and his Boy.
Puddleglum the Marsh-wiggle is clearly the star of the show.
Although the Pevensies don't feature, the story is the most interesting and exciting. There's not too much banal chat about food all the time (the earlier books are basically just occasional fights in between intensely-described meals). And although Aslan features, it's not in the overpowering, Christian analogy way that he does in some of the other books, like The Horse and his Boy.
Puddleglum the Marsh-wiggle is clearly the star of the show.
Loved this. A lot of George Macdonald came through in this one. It reminded me of the Princess and the Goblin, and the shape shifting witch seemed reminiscent of Lilith
This is my least favorite of the 7 books. It feels a little darker than the other books. There is stress as Jill and Eustace forget the instructions Aslan has given them and go through some very tough times along their journey. It is encouraging to see the transformation in Eustace from the self centered prig he was in the beginning of the Voyage of the Dawn Treader. This is the last of the stories which are Chronological beginning in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, then Prince Caspian, and then The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, and finally The Silver Chair. After this book, succeeding stories jump around in time, but you will find characters you know scattered in the remaining 3 books.
That was wonderful for two reasons. The first is that it was a Narnia book that I hadn't read before, so it was a wonderful experience. The second was the symbolism. Oh, all the symbolism!