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A review by theespressoedition
Once Upon a Wardrobe by Patti Callahan
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Once upon a wardrobe, not very long ago...
...and not very far away.
This book was everything my Chronicles of Narnia-loving heart could possibly want. After my annual reread of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe just days prior, it was the perfect story to fill that Aslan-sized hole in my heart.
Narnia was what fueled my love for reading when I read the series at just six years old. It was what made me fall in love with fantasy as a genre. It will always be incredibly special to me. Reading a historical fiction novel about how that world I love came to be... AH! It was like coming home in some strange way.
The characters in this book are painfully lovable. George, sweet George, is intelligent (truly wise beyond his years), creative, and caring. Megs is practical, loyal, and eager to learn everything she can to make her little brother happy. Padraig is faithful, encouraging, and adventurous - which was exactly what both Megs and George needed most at that time. And of course, we can't forget Jack (aka C.S. Lewis) who felt both familiar and brand new in this book. It was an honor to learn more about his childhood and the way his beautiful stories impacted so many lives over the years (both fictional lives and real ones like my own).
If you're someone who already loves Narnia, then this book will make you weep (with joy and with heartache) and it will be like a great big hug. If you know nothing about Narnia, let this book introduce you to the wonder of fairytales and the way they can transform someone's life - and let it transform yours as well!
...and not very far away.
This book was everything my Chronicles of Narnia-loving heart could possibly want. After my annual reread of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe just days prior, it was the perfect story to fill that Aslan-sized hole in my heart.
Narnia was what fueled my love for reading when I read the series at just six years old. It was what made me fall in love with fantasy as a genre. It will always be incredibly special to me. Reading a historical fiction novel about how that world I love came to be... AH! It was like coming home in some strange way.
The characters in this book are painfully lovable. George, sweet George, is intelligent (truly wise beyond his years), creative, and caring. Megs is practical, loyal, and eager to learn everything she can to make her little brother happy. Padraig is faithful, encouraging, and adventurous - which was exactly what both Megs and George needed most at that time. And of course, we can't forget Jack (aka C.S. Lewis) who felt both familiar and brand new in this book. It was an honor to learn more about his childhood and the way his beautiful stories impacted so many lives over the years (both fictional lives and real ones like my own).
If you're someone who already loves Narnia, then this book will make you weep (with joy and with heartache) and it will be like a great big hug. If you know nothing about Narnia, let this book introduce you to the wonder of fairytales and the way they can transform someone's life - and let it transform yours as well!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Terminal illness
Moderate: Child death and Death