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It was fun to be back in the world and I really loved the beginning. But when it was time for the conflict, I didn’t totally get the point. It felt so different from the book. But I do enjoy how they’re almost like fairytales.

Bij derde lezing
De vier kinderen keren terug naar Narnia. In de wereld die ze aantreffen zijn de fantastische figuren bijna uitgebannen. Zij herstellen de orde. Meer 'gewoon spannend' dan het eerste verhaal.

Bij vierde lezing
De vier kinderen keren een jaar na hun vorige avonturen terug naar Narnia, waar duizenden jaren voorbij zijn gegaan en er veel veranderd is. Ze helpen de jonge prins Caspian, wiens verhaal het hoogtepunt van het boek vormt.

Het boek is weer vrij straight-forward. Net als in het eerste verhaal komen de kinderen en Aslan vrijwel tegelijkertijd aan in Narnia en volgen de gebeurtenissen zich dan snel op. Lewis' stijl is echter hier gelukkig wat minder nuffig en Aslans allegorische eigenschappen kleiner.

Bij vijfde lezing
Vergeleken met de gelijknamige film is de poëtische, optimistische sfeer van dit boek een verademing. In tegenstelling tot de cinematische bewerking zijn de kinderen op wat kleine ruzietjes na zeer aardig, is er geen conflict tussen "high king" Peter en prins Caspian en is er geen mislukte aanval op het kasteel van Miraz. Bovendien verschijnt Aslan veel eerder ten tonele (om een soort Jezusachtige intocht in het land van de Telmarins te houden) en heeft de riviergod juist hulp nodig om hem te verlossen van een brug, wat hen beiden minder een deus ex machina maakt dan in de film. Bovendien is het opvallend hoe laat in het boek de verhaallijnen van Caspian en van de vier kinderen samenkomen (pas in hoofdstuk 12, op driekwart van het boek).

Bij zesde lezing
More than 'The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe' I feel like returning to 'Prince Caspian'. In everything the book is a sequel to the first book: it alone features the same protagonists, and the book is all about return. Apparently hundreds of years have passed since the children's last visit, and once again Narnia is an occupied place, not by an evil witch, but by a human society, who has driven the original inhabitants almost to extinction. Lewis' storystelling skills are excellent, mixing grand adventure with small observations on every day life. The story is very straightforward, however, and the story wraps up surprisingly quickly once Caspian and the children are united. In fact, Caspian's own story forms the highlight of the book. Aslan's return is very reminiscent of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, but now with Greek gods Bacchus and Silenius to his side. Just before this passage Aslan shows his Godlike powers as conscience to Lucy and Susan.

Enjoyable, but the film has incredible music.
adventurous lighthearted fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated
adventurous lighthearted fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: No
adventurous lighthearted fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

This was the first Narnia entry that actually felt a little preachy to me, but I still think it’s not too heavy-handed, and can be moved past. The parts where the children’s faith is challenged don’t make sense with the narrative, however, and the deus ex panthera of Aslan operates with no apparent motivation for the ways he approaches things. I suppose it’s mysterious (which may be part of the point) but I find his detachment and arbitrary approaches distracting.

Regardless, it’s still a fun adventure and I wouldn’t hesitate to read it to my kids (if ever I have them).
adventurous lighthearted relaxing fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No
adventurous fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Interesting that the movie is quite different from the book. Not surprising though. Good book overall. Maybe less time wandering in the woods would have been better through.
adventurous hopeful inspiring medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes