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3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
I always love stories that are mostly centered on the sea, so for me this was the best book of the Chronicles of Narnia yet!
Just as with the other two instalments that I read, you just zoom through the story. Everything is action-packed, everything has a purpose.
I liked that this one was only with the younger two kids and their nephew. The grumpy nephew added so much fun to the story,and I still find it funny that Eustace was a better companion as a dragon than as an actual human. This made for some great character development as well.
I liked that this one was only with the younger two kids and their nephew. The grumpy nephew added so much fun to the story,
I know that reading it in the original order will have me jumping around in time, but I actually liked that I got to read about what Caspian has been up to since the last book. I got to see more of the world beyond Narnia, which was awesome.
I can’t wait to see who the next MCs will be, considering the kids are all too old now to go back to the lands of Narnia.
My overall favorite thing about the Chronicle of Narnia books, is their ability to tell almost forgotten messages and morals of Christ, and Christ's teachings. I especially love the analogy with greed, Eustace & the Dragon. Beautiful, beautiful story full of imagery, probably my favorite in the series, second only to Magicians Nephew.
Actual rating: 2.5 ★
I'm starting to question my decision to read this series...
It's just not working for me, and most of the time I find myself disinterested or just flat-out bored. Maybe taking a break will help.
I'm starting to question my decision to read this series...
It's just not working for me, and most of the time I find myself disinterested or just flat-out bored. Maybe taking a break will help.
adventurous
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is the third Narnia book I’ve read—yes, I’m reading them in a “different” order 😅—and honestly, I think it’s my favorite so far. Watching Lucy and Edmund’s growth since their first adventure was truly rewarding, and Eustace surprised me in the best way.
But Reepicheep? That little mouse had more courage than a lion—easily my favorite character! 🐭🗡
This book pulled me out of a reading slump, and for that, I’ll always be grateful. I’m really enjoying the series and can’t wait to dive into the next one.
But Reepicheep? That little mouse had more courage than a lion—easily my favorite character! 🐭🗡
This book pulled me out of a reading slump, and for that, I’ll always be grateful. I’m really enjoying the series and can’t wait to dive into the next one.
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-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
Unfortunately, I didn’t love this one as much as the first two.
One reason for this is the blatant sexism in play, which didn’t feel as present in the first two books. E.g. Susan is basically called a bimbo – she’s the “pretty one” of the family (which is massively looked down on, even though not something she can help), bad at school, but in every other way is “older than her age”. Blurgh.
And then Caspian didn’t want to marry someone because she “Squints, and has freckles” – a failing of character that isn’t commented on at all - but when Lucy is a little envious of her sister’s beauty, it’s a massive sin.
Another reason was Eustace’s background. As a character he gave some great comedic moments, and I especially enjoyed the diary entries, but he made absolutely no sense to me. I don't see how a kid raised in such a seemingly progressive household could be such a twat, and it seems like Lewis made that choice just to make a point. I was getting pretty strong right wing propaganda vibes…
Lewis portrays Eustace as being coddled his whole life by parents who think kids should be looked after/wrapped in cotton wool (which is what the right think of leftist education/child protection reform etc.), which has turned him into a brat because he doesn’t think of others. But the WHOLE POINT of the sort of progressive people Lewis describes his parents as is that that THINK OF OTHERS.
In real life, the blundering oaf would be the right winger, stuck in their ways and unable to have empathy for others in any way or see another’s point of view.
The only way Eustace would make sense as a character is if he was rebelling against his parent's ideals, and purposely going against them. But he’s essentially described as being a clone of his parents at the start of the book, so that clearly was not the case. Apparently, people who don’t eat meat and want kids to stop getting abused are sinful, selfish cretins?
The ending also fell down a little because there’s a gaping omission – what happened to Rhoop?? He was put into a sleep with the three other lords, with the intention of being woken when the others were, but in the last paragraph all it says is “And the three lords woke from their sleep.” No mention of Rhoop at all.
In saying all this, I did still have a good time with the book, as my main issues were condensed at the beginning of the story, so most of the read was perfectly pleasant. I really liked the first proper sign of the Aslan/God situation at the end, even though it instinctively disgusted my deeply atheist soul. And Reepicheep will forever have my heart.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-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:
Complicated
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-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
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
medium-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
It's an outlier among the Narnia books, as it doesn't really have a very strong main narrative. The last of the 3 most recent Narnia movies really struggled to adapt this as a result. There IS a sensible rational for the titular ocean voyage around which the story is organized. It's mainly there as a plot device to get the ship sailing, and doesn't have a terrible lot to do with the actual proceedings - and that's fine.
In all the scattershot adventures the crew of the Dawn Treader, I do think that character development gets little attention - with the notable exception of Reepicheep - who shines very brightly - and to a much lesser extent Eustace, who at least has a character arc, even if it's a rather abrupt one. Caspian, Drinian and Rynelf are so flavorless as to be completely interchangeable. I can't bring myself to give this anything less than 5 stars, but I think comparatively, it may be the 4 star book among the other entries in the series.
Random observations.
- I don't love the Dufflepuds. I'm not sure they've aged as well as everything else.
- Again, I love Reepicheep and his beautiful soul.
- As an adult, I found the adventure of the dark island very affecting. It really stands out in the context of everything else in the series - it's genuinely frightening and raw.
In all the scattershot adventures the crew of the Dawn Treader, I do think that character development gets little attention - with the notable exception of Reepicheep - who shines very brightly - and to a much lesser extent Eustace, who at least has a character arc, even if it's a rather abrupt one. Caspian, Drinian and Rynelf are so flavorless as to be completely interchangeable. I can't bring myself to give this anything less than 5 stars, but I think comparatively, it may be the 4 star book among the other entries in the series.
Random observations.
- I don't love the Dufflepuds. I'm not sure they've aged as well as everything else.
- Again, I love Reepicheep and his beautiful soul.
- As an adult, I found the adventure of the dark island very affecting. It really stands out in the context of everything else in the series - it's genuinely frightening and raw.
This series just evoke so much nostalgia within me, and I can’t quite put it into words. As everyone knows this series is amazing. These characters and stories will always have a special place in my heart.