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3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
I like the quest/journey style story, and all the adventures were great.
But I am again left wondering what the point of this story was. Why were Edmund/Lucy/Eustace brought from their world for this?
But I am again left wondering what the point of this story was. Why were Edmund/Lucy/Eustace brought from their world for this?
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Only the youngest Pevensies and a cousin are along for the ride in what is really the most episodic book of the series. Prince Caspian is a key player again, making good on a promise to Aslan like the good boy that he is, though it may mean--literally--sailing to the end of the world. Newcomer cousin Eustace is almost the anti-Pevensie: cowardly, dishonest, petty and spiteful. His unapologetic gall is somehow both obnoxious and refreshing and frankly--much needed in a plot that would have otherwise hung on the ne'er-do-wrong Lucy, born-again Edmund, and valiant Caspian. It's almost as if Lewis is addressing the backlashAslan metes out a little Judge Judy-esque tough love to several characters, though a little unevenly. He seems to be hardest on the characters who have traditionally proven themselves to be the most good. Isn't that just like a teacher? If all the lesson-learning begins to give this a Fantasy Island feel, at least it's entertaining. Not that there isn't ever a sobering moment. More than one character will have to face a side of himself (or herself) that isn't pretty, and Lewis lays down a fair amount of hints about where he's heading for the finale. Three guesses as to where. The
Good for people who like a vignette form to mix things up, fans of Gulliver's Travels or sea voyage adventures.
Good for people who like a vignette form to mix things up, fans of Gulliver's Travels or sea voyage adventures.
This review basically applies to the whole Narniaverse now that I'm reading them again for the first time in over a decade.
I read these as a kid as "real" novels; to appreciate them now I'm having to look at them more like very long fairy tales. The (moralizing) tone, plus the simple language and plot read more like a cleaned up version of the Brothers Grimm than the other fantasy and adventure stories aimed at this age range.
Not that I don't love fairy tales and parables in their own right, but I found myself very disappointed after having fond memories of this book as a fantasy epic and instead finding it much more like a very long morality play.
I read these as a kid as "real" novels; to appreciate them now I'm having to look at them more like very long fairy tales. The (moralizing) tone, plus the simple language and plot read more like a cleaned up version of the Brothers Grimm than the other fantasy and adventure stories aimed at this age range.
Not that I don't love fairy tales and parables in their own right, but I found myself very disappointed after having fond memories of this book as a fantasy epic and instead finding it much more like a very long morality play.
It was a lot of fun following along in the voyage with these characters, and learning a new world at the same time as them. I didn’t really zoom through this book, but I didn’t mind taking it in waves. And it had a much anticipated ending that really makes you feel some kind of way. As always, Aslan and his connection with each character is gripping and profound. Well done.
Quote of the book:
“This was the very reason that you were brought to Narnia, that by knowing me here a little, you may know me better there.”
And a bonus that I loved:
“Caspian, dear,” said Lucy. “You knew we’d have to go back to our own world sooner or later.”
“Yes,” said Caspian with a sob, “but this is sooner.”
Quote of the book:
“This was the very reason that you were brought to Narnia, that by knowing me here a little, you may know me better there.”
And a bonus that I loved:
“Caspian, dear,” said Lucy. “You knew we’d have to go back to our own world sooner or later.”
“Yes,” said Caspian with a sob, “but this is sooner.”
adventurous
funny
Maybe I’ll come back to this at some point, and if I do maybe my rating will change, but for now I’m DNF’ing it.
I started reading this with a set of students after we’d read The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe and Prince Caspian together which they enjoyed, but we sort of halted around 30% into this one as everyone was just finding it a bit dull - myself included - so no one was asking for me to read it anymore.
I started reading this with a set of students after we’d read The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe and Prince Caspian together which they enjoyed, but we sort of halted around 30% into this one as everyone was just finding it a bit dull - myself included - so no one was asking for me to read it anymore.