side of that wardrobe door lies a world full of magic. A world frozen in the perpetual winter of the White Witch's enchantment. Are you brave enough to share...
stumbled upon the magical world of Narnia, land of unicorns, centaurs, fauns and the wicked White Witch, who terrorizes all. The second and most widely known...
discover that through the wardrobe lies the enchanted land of Narnia - a land of talking animals, dwarves and fauns, a land held in the grip of the White Witch.
A review by Kukana on The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe - C.S. Lewis December 1st, 2003
Author's product rating:
Would you read it again?
Absolutely
Story
Outstanding
Characters
Outstanding
Readability
Excellent
How does it compare to similar books?
Excellent
How does it compare to other works by the same author?
Excellent
Advantages:
Clear style, great plot, delightful characters
Disadvantages:
I can read it too quickly !
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is the story of four children who were evacuated from London during the war. They were sent to stay with an old professor out in the country, miles from anywhere. One day, when it was raining outside, they decided to play hide-and-seek; in the process they discovered an old wardrobe in one of the bedrooms.
Lucy, the youngest of the children, hid in the wardrobe. To her amazement, she discovered that it led into a magical land which was covered with snow. There she met a faun (half human, half goat) called Mr Tumnus, who invited her to tea. He told her about the evil witch who had cast a spell over the land of Narnia, meaning that it was always winter, but never Christmas. When Lucy returned to the ordinary world, and told her brothers and sister what had happened, they half-believed her - until they tried to go into the wardrobe themselves, and found that there was no land at all, just an ordinary wooden back.
Some weeks later, Lucy found her way into Narnia again, and this time her brother Edmund also found his way in. But whereas Lucy had a lovely time with Mr Tumnus, Edmund met the witch instead, who called herself a queen, and asked a lot of questions about his family, and particularly Lucy.
When both children returned, Edmund - who could be quite nasty when he chose to - insisted that he and Lucy were just playing a game, and that Narnia wasn't real at all. The two oldest children, Peter and Susan, were puzzled because previously Lucy had been completely truthful, and Edmund more inclined to tell lies. So they talked to the old professor who owned the home they were staying in, and were most surprised to find him suggesting that Lucy was likely to be correct.
Eventually all four children got into Narnia, only to find that Mr Tumnus had gone, and his home had been destroyed. They met some friendly talking beavers, who invited them into their home and told them some ancient prophecies about Narnia, and how the curse of permanent winter could only be broken by four human children - two boys and two girls, just like themselves.
So starts an exciting adventure for the children, in this magical land. It turns into a major battle between the forces of evil (led by the witch) and the forces of good, led by the lion Aslan. Edmund, who was bewitched by the queen during his first visit to Narnia, is determined that Aslan is in fact bad, and so becomes a traitor who - according to the ancient laws of Narnia - is supposed to die. The only person who the witch will accept as substitute is Aslan himself.
• Different levels of understanding •
When I first read this book, at about eight years old, I took it at face value. It was an exciting story, mixing reality and fantasy in a way I enjoyed, and focussing on four children not much older than me. Shortly afterwards I read the six sequels in the 'Narnia' series, although I didn't enjoy any of them quite as thoroughly as I'd enjoyed the first. In one of the sequels was a suggestion that Aslan was real, and to be found in the ordinary human world. I didn't understand what was meant by this, but later on, in my early teens, I realised he represented the Christian God, and that in 'The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe', he appeared and became a sacrifice in a way analagous to Jesus on Good Friday.
As an adult, I've read the books again - first to my sons, and then to myself. Each time I find more in the analogies, and as a Christian I can appreciate them and see what a very clever writer CS Lewis was. He wrote the books as fictional stories, which could be enjoyed without any idea of what was being represented, and yet at the same time they were filled with ideas from his worldview and beliefs. The classic struggle of good versus evil, as evident in so many books, takes on a much bigger aspect of Good in the person of the Creator and Redeemer, and evil as a choice that each person can make, or reject.
• One of the nation's top 21 •
So why is this book, with its strong Christian overtones, such a favourite in the mostly non-Christian UK? It was voted earlier this year as one of the nation's top 21 best-loved books in the BBC's 'Big Read' search (see http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/bigread/). Most adults I know, when asked to think of their favourite childhood books, mention some by Enid Blyton, and CS Lewis's 'Narnia' series. What is it that makes these books, and particularly the first one, stick in our minds as a best-loved book?
To my mind, there are several answers.
Firstly, CS Lewis's writing style is clear and concise, with just enough detail to keep a child's interest. He draws vivid word pictures of his characters and places, that enable us to see them in our mind's eye. For instance, I love this section of the description of Mr Tumnus when Lucy first meets him:
"He also had a tail, but Lucy did not notice this at first because it was neatly caught up over the arm that held the umbrella so as to keep it from trailing in the snow. He had a red woollen muffler round his neck and his skin was rather reddish too." So clear is this that for 35 years my mental image of a faun has been of a rather nervous chap standing in the snow with a red scarf and an umbrella, and his tail hitched over his arm!
Secondly, there's the mixture of humans and Narnian characters. The four children have clear and different personalities: Peter, the oldest, is serious and responsible. Susan, like so many other Susans in fiction (compare Arthur Ransome's in 'Swallows and Amazons', for instance) tends to worry about her younger siblings in practical ways. Edmund is the odd one out, jealous of Lucy, and also rather dishonest and sly. And Lucy is the child who most easily trusts people, who is totally loyal and trustworthy, and who takes little heed for her own safety. The Narnia talking animals manage to be animals with human traits and understanding, larger than life, and yet quite believable in context. The other fantasy creatures - fauns, centaurs, dwarfs, and so on - are more human than the talking animals, and yet with clear elements that distinguish them from humans as we know them.
Thirdly, there's a great story with plenty of action and excitement: a stealthy escape, magical gifts given to the children, a thrilling battle, a very moving part when Aslan gives up his life for Edmund the traitor, and a 'happy ever after' ending (which isn't a spoiler, since this is almost compulsory in a children's book). Each event is significant, and moves the plot onwards at what seems to me exactly the right pace.
Finally, the language is almost timeless. Despite having been first published in 1950, the book is easily readable by children today, or can be read aloud by parents without any complicated explanations. There is no condescension, no obvious appeal to children's vocabulary - so much so that it's just as enjoyable to adults - and yet the straightforward style is easy to grasp. The background of the war is almost incidental, although it would have been highly topical to children in the early 1950s; yet to those of us who have never been evacuated, or even had any threat of it, it's a simply accepted reason for the children being at the big old house, unsupervised and making new discoveries.
• Takes my vote •
In the 21 books selected for the BBC's 'Big Read', I've completely read only 12 (and partially read a few others). Of those, the two I consider all-time favourites are 'Little Women', and 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe'. Quite different books, yet both of them appealing to adults as well as children.
My vote has gone to the latter, because despite my love of the book 'Little Women', the language is somewhat dated now, and the author a little too intrusive in places. I can also see that it has limited appeal, being almost entirely character-based with very little plot. Whereas 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe' manages to combine great characters - who develop and change through the books - with a solid and satisfactory plot. I can read it again and again, re-living the excitement and anticipation each time, and still be sorry when I've finished.
Of course there are minor plot flaws when thinking at an adult level, from a Christian perspective - such as the inclusion of 'Christmas' (and, indeed, Father Christmas, who makes a brief appearance) in a land where Aslan is the equivalent of Christ. As a pedantic teenager this did bother me slightly, but now I can see it in better perspective, realising that the book was not written as an analogy: it was (as the introduction claims) a 'fairy story' which just happens to have some deeper meanings.
• Details •
'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe' has around 170 pages, and is around the reading level expected for children of age eight and upwards, although a younger fluent reader could still enjoy it. It's also excellent for reading aloud, as it's divided into fairly short chapters. It has been published many times, in both hardback and paperback, and can often be found in charity shops as well as new for around £5 (in paperback) at any good bookshop on or offline. I recommend it to anyone.
Advantages: Brilliant to read, can almost believe you are there Disadvantages: None
...haven’t at least heard of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, even without all the fuss that is being made at the moment with the nations top 100 books. The reason.. Well it is quite simple, it is one of the best loved childrens stories. And as it is over 50 years since it was written there are bound to be grandparents about that loved at is children so it has been passed down through 3 generations. Well it’s true for this household anyway as my ... ...the Narnia books, and I in turn have bought them for my children. Many people have said it is only in the top 21because they asked a lot of children to vote, but I can’t see that this would make a difference as it is still loved by adults, well this one still loves it anyhow, even though I didn’t vote for it :oP
Set mainly in Narnia it gives people an escape from everyday life, and to me being surround by talking animals sounds like a perfect escape.
...
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very helpful
08.12.2003
Enter a New World. Review ofThe Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe - C.S. Lewisby
katygriff
Advantages: Great Story, Characters and Descriptions. Disadvantages: None.
...was younger I did read the famous Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis. My favourite was always the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe which I am sure was many peoples favourite book. I forgot about this book until late last year when the film came onto our screens and I went to see it on the cinema and loved it so much that my Mom gave me the book for Christmas. I have just finished reading it while I was on the train and honestly I forgot what an ... ...book about?
The four Pevensie children are evacuated from London during World War II. They are sent to a Professors house in the country and while they are playing they discover a magical wardrobe which transports them to the magical world of Narnia where an eternal winter has been set over the land by the evil white witch. The children join forces with the great Lion Aslan who teaches them about prophecies and destinies. -----
Characters:
Lucy ...
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Advantages: strong desctipitive language, suitable for all, easy to connect with, unique style Disadvantages: /
When Narnia was released in the cinema last year, I was asked if I wanted to go and see it. And did I accept this invite? No! At that time, all I knew about the film was that it was fantasty-based, and seemed a bit 'kiddish' (though why this was a problem, I have no idea - it doesn't usually stop me!). So I missed my chance to explore the world of myth, and stayed at home instead. Alone.
Then last week, I finished the most fantastic book in the ... ...had briefly seen Lord Of The Rings on tv, so I was in the mood for something full of exploration and fable. I searched the teenage section, only to find a bunch of books based on love and romance...not much variety or excitement there then! So I sauntered over to the classical section, a shelf in the library I would normally turn a blind eye at. Browsing along, reading the spines, I spied such titles as What Katy Did Next...The Railway Children...Goodnight ...
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Advantages: Great imagination! Disadvantages: It has too end!
The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe is one of my favourite books ever! This is a book that appeals to both the young and the old, it is an ageless classic.
About the author:
Name: C.S. Lewis, Clive, Staples Lewis.
Date of birth: 29th November 1889
Place of birth: Belfast, Northern Ireland
Date of death: 22nd November 1963
Place of death: Oxford, England.
C.S. Lewis wrote seven books in all known as “The Chronicles of Narnia” the correct order ... ...2/ The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe
3/ Horse and his Boy.
4/ Prince Caspian
5/ The voyage of the Dawn Treader
6/ The Silver Chair
7/ The Last battle
Facts about “The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe”:
• It was published in 1950
• The BBC made a TV adaptation of the book in 1989
• The Royal Shakespeare Company put on a production of the book at The Saddlers Wells Theatre in 2001.
The story:
The story is about 4 children; Peter, Susan, ...
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Advantages: More adventures in the mystical world of Narnia Disadvantages: Too Short!
The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe is the second in the recommended reading order of The Chronicles of Narnia, although the first to be written. Having finished the preceeding The Magician's Nephew I eagerly started this book.
As I mentioned in the Magician's Nephew Review my family and I were huge fans of the 80s tv series and as a result this was the book I was most looking forward to reading in the series and it didn't disapppoint!
The Story ... ...evacuated to the country during the war and finding themselves in an old country house with endless corridors and rooms, perfect for exploring on a rainy day.
Lucy, the youngest of the siblings stumbles across a gateway to a magical world, in a wardrobe! She enters alone for the first time the cold world of Narnia ruled by fear by an evil witch who calls herself a queen. Narnia where animals can talk and strange mythical creatures exist. The land ...
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Advantages: An enchanting book that kids will love... Disadvantages: We all have to grow up :-(
..., Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfield, My Naughty Little Sister, Milly-Molly-Mandy – they’re all there, devoured by my own children some twenty-five years after I read them.
And so is this one – The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis. This was first published in 1950, but doesn’t come across as outdated. Then again, why would talking lions and evil witches become old? Surely the Harry Potter books are only similar themes revisited.
So today I thought I’d go back to my childhood, transported by the land of imagination situated on every bookcase. To get away from bills, Christmas, cold weather and housework. To visit the magical land that’s only a wardrobe away…
The story begins by introducing the four child leads – Lucy, Susan, Peter and Edmund. They are siblings and evacuees...
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Advantages: The first half holds up well compared to the best of the series... Disadvantages: ... but the second half is too slow and loses the narrative drive...
....
And so I bring to an end my reviews of The Chronicles of Narnia!
More information about the series:
In order of writing:
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (1950)
Prince Caspian (1951)
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (1952)
The Silver Chair (1953)
The Horse and His Boy (1954)
The Magician's Nephew (1955)
The Last Battle (1956)
In CSLewis' Recommended Reading Order:
The Magician's Nephew
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
The Horse and His Boy
Prince Caspian
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
The Silver Chair
The Last Battle
My favourites, from most to least:
The Silver Chair [5 stars]
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (though the two are so close it's very hard to choose!) [5 stars]
The Horse and His Boy [5 stars]
The Magician's Nephew [4 stars]
The Last Battle [4 stars]
The Lion...
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Advantages: Very accessible for young children... Disadvantages: ... as an adult, I enjoyed it a lot less than some of theothers in the series
...Prince Caspian is the fourth (some would say second as it was actually written second) book of the Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S.Lewis. The order I've read them in is 1/ The Magician's Nephew, 2/ The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe , 3/ The Horse and His Boy. Some people believe this to be the wrong order, since The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe was actually the first written. However, the reading order I've followed is not only the accepted order for compilations these days but is the order recommended by CS Lewis himself - and I, for one, not going to argue with him.
Having said that, it seems unlikely that the order you read the books in will especially have any bearing on how much you enjoy this particular book, though you really do need to have read The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe first as this book features...
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helpful 18.05.2005
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