The Chronicles of Narnia

Without a doubt, C.S. Lewis' wonderful children's fantasies, collectively known as "The Chronicles of Narnia," deserve the numerous accolades they have received over the years. When Disney and Walden Media produced the film version of "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe," a number of new editions of the Chronicles were released in book form. The books were published individually and in omnibus editions such as this one. Some were collected in the order they were originally written whereas others were gathered in a more chronological order to enhance the reader's experience. This particular edition follows the latter scheme.The first tale we encounter is "The Magician's Nephew." Newcomers will quickly recognize that there is no Lucy, Edmund, Peter or Susan in this particular story. This is essentially the "creation story" of Narnia seen through the eyes of young Digory and Polly. From there we are given "The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe," which introduces us formally to the four children so many of us already know so well. After that, "The Horse and His Boy" focuses on Shasta, Bree, Aravis and Hwin, among others. The four children are there also, but not the central characters of the tale. "Prince Caspian" is next, bringing Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy back to the forefront on a wonderful adventure that is now soon to be a major motion picture. After that, Edmund and Lucy, along with their cousin, Eustace Scrubb, join "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader," in which Caspian travels to the end of the world looking for the domain of Aslan. "The Silver Chair" introduces us to Prince Rilian, Puddleglum, and Glimfeather, as well as revives a once thought dead enemy. "The Last Battle" is exactly that, the end of a wonderful collection of tales. It lets us know what happens to just about everybody who ever makes an appearance in any of the tales, including the wonderful Reepicheep, a mouse who's giant heart more than made up for his small stature.All of these stories are excellent to read to children as well as for adults to explore. The good characters will easily win you over and the wicked ones, especially the White Witch and Tash, will make you cringe at moments.Some of the tales can be rather violent, with multiple deaths that are vividly described. There are also very obvious allusions to the Bible, especially the New Testament. These are most evident, in my opinion, in "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe," "Prince Caspian" and "The Last Battle." These Christian overtones are excellent triggers for children to begin studying the Bible. If you are a Christian, I highly recommend using these tales in that manner. If you are not a Christian, do not let the Christian aspect of these stories deter you. They are wonderful regardless of this.Overall, I highly recommend these stories. My personal favorite is "Prince Caspian," with "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" a close second. Whether you read them in the order presented here or in the order they were originally published, check these tales out.

The Chronicles of Narnia is a marvelous set of seven fairy tales about a world other than our own where a lion named Aslan serves as the voice of wisdom, goodness and power. Many believe them to be tied to C. S. Lewis's Christian beliefs, which they surely would be as one writes about what one knows and believes at some level, whether intentional or not. However, it seems to me that the stories in the chronicles are as much about basic truth, goodness and the concept that there is a power bigger than each of us, whatever our religion or lack thereof. As regards religious belief(s), all religions in which God is the center share similar `truths' and differ, primarily, in the interpretation of how these truths are to be viewed and how they are to be applied to living. Well, enough of that.The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe was the first written and it introduces us to four children: Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter. The four siblings have a most extraordinary adventure when they travel to another world called Narnia through a large wardrobe in a room in a large country estate outside London where they've been sent for safety during World War II. They meet some powerful characters, a host of talking animals, and become instrumental in the overthrow of the wicked White Witch who has caused a hundred years of winter in Narnia (but no Christmas). Eventually the children return home. Later they (or some of them, at least) return to Narnia for further adventures in the stories of Prince Caspian, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, and The Silver Chair. Other children experience Narnia as well in The Horse and His Boy and The Magician's Nephew, until the enchanted land comes to an end in The Last Battle.The essay at the end of the book about writing for children is enlightening. As Lewis states, however, don't expect to learn how to write for children by reading the essay. He says he's not conceited enough to think he could do that. Reading it will, however, give the reader better insight into Lewis's philosophy of writing in general, but, most particularly, for the young.There's ongoing controversy over the reading order of these remarkable stories which C.S. "Jack" Lewis began writing in 1949 and finished in 1956 (he died in 1963). My preference is to begin with The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (I find it interesting that Hollywood started with this one and not the chronological first one, The Magician's Nephew. It gives me hope that they can do some things right). I, for one, would not want to know some things about Narnia at the beginning of the series. It makes me wonder how future generations will think the six (so far) Star Wars sagas should be viewed. Will there be controversy over whether or not the first in the series should be the prequel we have today in which we learn who, why and how Darth Vader became Darth Vader? I, again, would not want to know right away. Having seen the first one in the 70s, I appreciate that my questions about DV fermented for a time, to be answered later; but, will future generations agree?However you read The Chronicles of Narnia, just read them. It's a worthwhile expenditure of time and effort!Carolyn Rowe Hill

When I dutifully relinquished to my adult daughter the paperback "Chronicles of Narnia" that she and I had grown up with, I promised myself that I'd purchase a well-made, one-volume compilation of all seven of C. S. Lewis's Narnia books. Courtesy of HarperCollins, here it is, adorned by Pauline Baynes's original pen-and-ink illustrations. The type is easy-to-read; the margins, ample; the hardback, solid; the dust jacket, attractive. This should last me a lifetime of rereading. Bonus feature: Lewis's "On Three Ways of Writing for Children," seasoned with his typical insight and good sense.