The Chronicles of Narnia (The complete series)
C.S. Lewis, Pauline Baynes (Illus.) 1951-56
HarperCollins
768 pp.
ISBN-13: 9780066238500
Summary
Journeys to the end of the world, fantastic creatures and epic battles between good and evil—the book that has it all is The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, written in 1949 by C. S. Lewis. But Lewis did not stop there. Six more books followed, and together they became known as The Chronicles of Narnia.
For over fifty years, The Chronicles of Narnia have transcended the fantasy genre to become part of the canon of classic literature. Each of the seven books is a masterpiece, drawing the reader into a land where magic meets reality, and the result is a fictional world whose scope has fascinated generations.
This edition presents all seven books—unabridged—in one impressive volume. (From the publisher.)
Synopses of each volume in the series are under the "Book Reviews" section..
Author Bio
• Birth—November 29, 1898
• Where—Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
• Death—November 22, 1963
• Where—Headington, England
• Education—Oxford University
• Awards—Fellow, British Academy; Carnegie Medal for The
Last Battle
C. S. Lewis was famous both as a fiction writer and as a Christian thinker, and his biographers and critics sometimes divide his personality in two: the storyteller and the moral educator, the "dreamer" and the "mentor." Yet a large part of Lewis's appeal, for both his audiences, lay in his ability to fuse imagination with instruction. "Let the pictures tell you their own moral," he once advised writers of children's stories. "But if they don't show you any moral, don't put one in. ... The only moral that is of any value is that which arises inevitably from the whole cast of the author's mind."
Storytelling came naturally to Lewis, who spent the rainy days of his childhood in Ireland writing about an imaginary world he called Boxen. His first published novel, Out of the Silent Planet, tells the story of a journey to Mars; its hero was loosely modeled on his friend and fellow Cambridge scholar J.R.R. Tolkien. Lewis enjoyed some popularity for his Space Trilogy (which continues in Perelandra and That Hideous Strength), but nothing compared to that which greeted his next imaginative journey, to an invented world of fauns, dwarfs, and talking animals—a world now familiar to millions of readers as Narnia.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, the first book of the seven-volume Chronicles of Narnia, began as "a picture of a Faun carrying an umbrella and parcels in a snowy wood," according to Lewis. Years after that image first formed in his mind, others bubbled up to join it, producing what Kate Jackson, writing in Salon, called "a fascinating attempt to compress an almost druidic reverence for wild nature, Arthurian romance, Germanic folklore, the courtly poetry of Renaissance England and the fantastic beasts of Greek and Norse mythology into an entirely reimagined version of what's tritely called 'the greatest story ever told.'"
The Chronicles of Narnia was for decades the world's bestselling fantasy series for children. Although it was eventually superseded by Harry Potter, the series still holds a firm place in children's literature and the culture at large. (Narnia even crops up as a motif in Jonathan Franzen's 2001 novel The Corrections). Its last volume appeared in 1955; in that same year, Lewis published a personal account of his religious conversion in Surprised by Joy. The autobiography joined his other nonfiction books, including Mere Christianity, The Screwtape Letters, and The Great Divorce, as an exploration of faith, joy and the meaning of human existence.
Lewis's final work of fiction, Till We Have Faces, came out in 1956. Its chilly critical reception and poor early sales disappointed Lewis, but the book's reputation has slowly grown; Lionel Adey called it the "wisest and best" of Lewis's stories for adults. Lewis continued to write about Christianity, as well as literature and literary criticism, for several more years. After his death in 1963, The New Yorker opined, "If wit and wisdom, style and scholarship are requisites to passage through the pearly gates, Mr. Lewis will be among the angels."
Extras
• The imposing wardrobe Lewis and his brother played in as children is now in Wheaton, Illinois, at the Wade Center of Wheaton College, which also houses the world's largest collection of Lewis-related documents, according to the Christian Science Monitor.
• The 1994 movie, Shadowlands, based on the play of the same name, cast Anthony Hopkins as Lewis. It tells the story of his friendship with, and then marriage to, an American divorcee named Joy Davidman (played by Debra Winger), who died of cancer four years after their marriage. Lewis's own book about coping with that loss, A Grief Observed, was initially published under the pseudonym N. W. Clerk.
• Several poems, stories, and a novel fragment published after Lewis's death have come under scrutiny as possible forgeries. On one side of the controversy is Walter Hooper, a trustee of Lewis's estate and editor of most of his posthumous works; on the other is Kathryn Lindskoog, a Lewis scholar who began publicizing her suspicions in 1988. Scandal or kooky conspiracy theory? The verdict's still out among readers. (From Barnes & Noble.)
About the Illustrator
Pauline Baynes is the illustrator of the original editions of The Chronicles of Narnia and recently added color to her beautiful illustrations. She was awarded the Kate Greenaway Medal in recognition of her contributions to children's literature. (From the publisher.)
Book Reviews
Below are brief overviews of each book in the Narnia series.
The Magician's Nephew (1955)
Although written five years after The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, this book is acutally the first in the series—tracing the very beginnings of Narnia—how Aslan created the world and how evil first entered it. Digory Kirke and his friend Polly Plummer stumble into different worlds by experimenting with magic rings made by Digory's uncle (the "magician"). They encounter Jadis (The White Witch), and witness the creation of Narnia. Many long-standing questions about Narnia are answered in this adventure.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1950)
Four ordinary children—Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy Pevensie—discover a wardrobe in Professor Digory Kirke's house that leads to the magical land of Narnia. Narnia has been under the spell of the evil White Witch for 100 years and in a perpetual state of winter. The four children fulfill an ancient, mysterious prophecy—helping the lion Aslan and his army save Narnia from the witch.
Prince Caspian: The Return to Narnia (1951)
The Pevensie children return to Narnia, drawn back by Prince Caspian, who blows on Susan's horn to summon help in his hour of need. Caspian, Narnia's rightful ruler, has fled into the woods to escape his uncle, Miraz, who had usurped the throne. The children set out once again to save Narnia. Aided by other Narnians, and ultimately by Aslan, they return the throne to Caspian. (From Wikipedia.)
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (1952)
Edmund and Lucy Pevensie , along with their priggish cousin, Eustace Scrubb, return to Narnia. Once there, they join Caspian's voyage to find the seven lords who were banished when Miraz took over the throne. This perilous journey brings them face to face with many wonders and dangers as they sail toward Aslan's country at the end of the world.
The Silver Chair (1953)
This is the first Narnia book without the Pevensie children. In their place, Aslan calls their cousin, Eustace Scrubb, back to Narnia together with his classmate Jill Pole. There they are given four signs to find Prince Rilian, Caspian's son, who had been kidnapped ten years earlier. Eustace and Jill, with the help of Puddleglum the Marsh-wiggle, and many others, face great danger before finding Rilian. Rilian, though, has lost his memory due to an enchantment by a silver chair.
The Horse and His Boy (1954)
This is the first of the books that does not follow the previous one sequentially. The novel takes place during the reign of the Pevensies in Narnia, an era which begins and ends in the last chapter of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Bree, a talking horse, and a young boy named Shasta have been held in bondage in Calormen, a country to the south of Narnia. The two meet by chance and plan their return to Narnia and freedom. Discovering on their journey that the Calormenes plan to invade Archenland, they race to alert Archenland's King.
The Last Battle (1956)
The Last Battle chronicles the end of the world of Narnia. Jill and Eustace return to save Narnia from Shift, an ape, who tricks Puzzle, a donkey, into impersonating the lion Aslan. This problem causes a fierce battle between the Calormenes and King Tirian together with Jill, Eustace and a faithful dwarf. (From Wikipedia.)
Book Club Discussion Questions
• The Magician's Wardrobe
1. Many of Narnia's fantastical creatures are personified; name some of them. Which human qualities are most celebrated? Which are not?
2. Elements of fantasy and real life are intermingled in the worlds of Charn and Narnia. What are some characteristics of each world that exemplify this combination? What makes these worlds so different from each other?
3. Although they are children, both Polly and Digory have very distinct personalities. By portraying Polly and Digory the way he did, what message(s) might Lewis have been sending to children about stereotypical and nonstereotypical behavior?
4. Since Uncle Andrew and the Witch are both proponents of magic, ostensibly it is portrayed in a bad light. How is magic celebrated?
• The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
1. Each of the children undergoes some changes throughout the course of the novel. Discuss how these changes impact their characters. How does sibling interaction shape both them and the plot?
2. Symbolism is quite prevalent in this book. Discuss what Narnia and Aslan symbolize and how their portrayals shape Lewis's message. Who or what else is symbolic? How?
3. In agreeing to sacrifice himself in Edmund's place without divulging to the White Witch that he could return, Aslan might be considered somewhat deceitful. What other variances are there on the traditional definitions of good and evil?
4. When Lucy tries to minister to her wounded brother, Aslan hurries her along to tend to others. Does the theme of the greater good vs. the individual arise elsewhere in the story? What other themes arise?
• The Horse and His Boy
1. At first glance, Bree and Hwin fit into very conservative gender roles. Which of their actions demonstrate a break from these behaviors? How does each of them demonstrate their goodness? What flaws does each possess?
2. With a reliance on material goods Lasaraleen provides a sharp contrast to Aravis. What are some of Lasaraleen's admirable qualities? Do you think Aravis and Susan should be considered strong female role models? Why or why not 2.?
3. Shasta undergoes a metamorphosis of character and identity. How do various factors or characters cause or help him to change? What truths about human nature are revealed in the process? What is Aslan's role?
4. Loyalty, tolerance, idealism, materialism, and parental roles all play roles in this book. Are these subjects always treated favorably? Do you agree with these treatments?
• Prince Caspian
1. Contrast the Narnia of this story with that over which the children ruled. How does the Narnian passage of time impact the novel?
2. Prince Caspian befriends many Narnian creatures. Which two Old Narnians would you want as royal subjects? Why?
3. What might have been the purpose of including Bacchus in this story? What other mythological or symbolic characters appear? Why?
4. Why is it that Aslan is only visible to Lucy for so long? Does Lucy's faith in Aslan differ from that of the others?
• The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
1. Eustace's character changes drastically, though not completely. What vestiges of his old self remain, and what new qualities emerge?
2. Each of the islands seems to contain some negative aspect. How do the portrayals of the islands illustrate which qualities should be most eschewed? Are any of the islands' qualities portrayed favorably?
3. Though Reepicheep is a comical character, he is also brave. How is his bravery characterized? How does he differ from other characters?
4. What kind of king is Caspian? What does his willingness to stay behind at the End of the World say about his leadership? Contrast Caspian's behavior with Lord Drinian's.
• The Silver Chair
1. Much of the novel is spent in bleaker lands than Narnia. Other than physical characteristics, what are some differences? Are any of the inhabitants at all similar to Narnians?
2. How do Puddleglum's actions contrast with his attitudes? Does he do anything surprising? Can he be characterized as a hero? Can Jill or Eustace, given their behavior?
3. Jill and Eustace are misled by the appearance of the Queen of Underland and the festival at Harfang. At what other times are they deceived by appearances?
• The Last Battle
1. Though Puzzle helps Shift further his evil plans, he is easily forgiven. Does the outcome differ for those who act on their own conscience instead of following the orders of others? What judgments does the book render on faith, leadership, and human behavior?
2. Beloved Narnia is demolished both by creatures and larger forces. Does the existence of a better, truer Narnia temper this apocalyptic phase?
3. Of which ideals of the afterlife is this book a proponent? Do these ideals mesh with your own vision?
(All discussion questions issued by publisher.)
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