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annaofjesup's review
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Body horror, Confinement, Gaslighting, Blood, and Death of parent
Minor: Bullying, Grief, Sexism, and War
clevermird's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The Chronicles of Narnia are wrapping up!
The Silver Chair is, depending on if you go by publication or in-universe chronological order, either the fourth or the sixth book in C.S. Lewis' children's fantasy series. This book was my second favorite of the Chronicles as a child, but while it's still a fun, engaging read, I don't think it holds up quite as well as some of the others.
Our perspective character is Jill Pole, an acquaintance of Eustace Clarence Scrubb (from Voyage of the Dawn Treader). While running from bullies at their dysfunctional school, they stumble their way through a back door and into Narnia, where Eustace promptly falls off a cliff and Jill is given a list of directions that will guide them to the missing heir to the Narnian throne.
Jill is an interesting contrast to the Pevensie sisters, as she reacts more like I think the average child would be when thrown into another world - confused, uncomfortable, homesick, but still also able to be sucked into the excitement at times.
I think the biggest downside for this one, the one that's kept it from being quite as much of a "love" as it was when I was a kid, is how simplistic the plot is. Not that there's nothing below the surface. The Christian messages aren't quite as blatant compared to some of the other books, but the story is still an allegory for faith and obedience despite a lack of clear understanding, and as an adult I now recognize the references to Plato's Allegory of the Cave in the climax as well. But much of the story is simply following Aslan's directions and going from point A to point B, and it doesn't have quite the wonder of some of the other books.
Overall, a solid children's adventure story with a bit to chew on for adults as well, but not quite the masterpiece that some of the other books in the series are.
The Silver Chair is, depending on if you go by publication or in-universe chronological order, either the fourth or the sixth book in C.S. Lewis' children's fantasy series. This book was my second favorite of the Chronicles as a child, but while it's still a fun, engaging read, I don't think it holds up quite as well as some of the others.
Our perspective character is Jill Pole, an acquaintance of Eustace Clarence Scrubb (from Voyage of the Dawn Treader). While running from bullies at their dysfunctional school, they stumble their way through a back door and into Narnia, where Eustace promptly falls off a cliff and Jill is given a list of directions that will guide them to the missing heir to the Narnian throne.
Jill is an interesting contrast to the Pevensie sisters, as she reacts more like I think the average child would be when thrown into another world - confused, uncomfortable, homesick, but still also able to be sucked into the excitement at times.
I think the biggest downside for this one, the one that's kept it from being quite as much of a "love" as it was when I was a kid, is how simplistic the plot is. Not that there's nothing below the surface. The Christian messages aren't quite as blatant compared to some of the other books, but the story is still an allegory for faith and obedience despite a lack of clear understanding, and as an adult I now recognize the references to Plato's Allegory of the Cave in the climax as well. But much of the story is simply following Aslan's directions and going from point A to point B, and it doesn't have quite the wonder of some of the other books.
Overall, a solid children's adventure story with a bit to chew on for adults as well, but not quite the masterpiece that some of the other books in the series are.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, Bullying, Gaslighting, and Kidnapping
Minor: Slavery, Violence, Cannibalism, and Death of parent
esme_may's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The best of these I’ve read so far. Much better plotted than The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, with fun new characters and a unique swampy setting compared to the others
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, Violence, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Body shaming, Misogyny, Bullying, Murder, Sexism, and Slavery
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