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dyslexa3 's review for:
The Horse and His Boy
by C.S. Lewis
Where do I even start with 'The Horse and His Boy'? My mind is teeming with thoughts about this book, and it holds a special place in my heart. Yet, it's a story that elicits conflicted feelings.
Let's begin with the good – oh, the world-building! I am an absolute sucker for rich, immersive world-building, and this book delivers it in spades. It injects a hefty dose of geography, culture, myth, and more into the narrative. What I particularly adore is the attention it pays to the non-Narnian aspects of this fantastical world. Narnia, while remarkable, is just one country in a complex tapestry of allies and adversaries, each with its own distinct culture, religion, and political structure. Additionally, we get to delve into the Pevensies' reign, addressing a significant gap left by 'The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe,' which glossed over their 15-year rule. This book fills in those missing years and adds depth to their characters.
However, the downside lies in the portrayal of the Calormen, a depiction rooted in the era when the book was written in 1954. In retrospect, it's evident that Calormen reflects harmful stereotypes of Middle Eastern people. The book implies their food is unpalatable, portrays them as violent men, and even suggests that the warrior princess must forsake her Calormen identity to be deemed 'worthy' in a white-washed context. Worst of all, it perpetuates the idea that they are devil worshippers. As a young reader, I didn't grasp these problematic undertones, but as an adult, I cannot ignore the glaring racism.
While I hold a deep affection for this book, I recognize that when I have children, I will need to approach it with care. I'll likely postpone their encounter with this story until they are old enough for a thoughtful conversation about the problematic elements it contains, helping them understand why it's important to avoid using such depictions when thinking about real people.
Let's begin with the good – oh, the world-building! I am an absolute sucker for rich, immersive world-building, and this book delivers it in spades. It injects a hefty dose of geography, culture, myth, and more into the narrative. What I particularly adore is the attention it pays to the non-Narnian aspects of this fantastical world. Narnia, while remarkable, is just one country in a complex tapestry of allies and adversaries, each with its own distinct culture, religion, and political structure. Additionally, we get to delve into the Pevensies' reign, addressing a significant gap left by 'The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe,' which glossed over their 15-year rule. This book fills in those missing years and adds depth to their characters.
However, the downside lies in the portrayal of the Calormen, a depiction rooted in the era when the book was written in 1954. In retrospect, it's evident that Calormen reflects harmful stereotypes of Middle Eastern people. The book implies their food is unpalatable, portrays them as violent men, and even suggests that the warrior princess must forsake her Calormen identity to be deemed 'worthy' in a white-washed context. Worst of all, it perpetuates the idea that they are devil worshippers. As a young reader, I didn't grasp these problematic undertones, but as an adult, I cannot ignore the glaring racism.
While I hold a deep affection for this book, I recognize that when I have children, I will need to approach it with care. I'll likely postpone their encounter with this story until they are old enough for a thoughtful conversation about the problematic elements it contains, helping them understand why it's important to avoid using such depictions when thinking about real people.