The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Chronicles of Narnia #1)

I loved this series as a child, rereading these a number of times. I liked the first book, The Magician's Nephew, the most. This is where they go to different worlds, first introduce the White Witch and see the world of Narnia created. This is old style magic with witches, spells and rules which I really loved. The series generally follows children who travel from our world to Narnia and fight evil forces and help the great lion, Aslan.

This is a great series with a complex magical world which even has talking animals and well-known mythical creatures. The world is filled with great adventures and I'm sure nearly every child has tried to go to Narnia through their closest!

Aslan represents God as the writer was religious. However, this is not a huge part of the novels so they are still very enjoyable for people who are not religious.

I loved this series, it's a great children's series. Children may need some help reading at times due to it's older style of writing but this can be good practice as it was for me. A great series and a definite must have for anyone's, child or adult, library

Fun and memorable the first time around, when I was very young. I didn't understand it's allegorical attributes at the time--even after some of the symbolism was explained to me. So you see why I've never considered it heavy-handed.

The second time around I could recognize it for the middle-grade masterpiece that it truly is. Compelling in it's imagery and evocative in emotion. This time I particularly noted that the pacing carries on at a steady clip. And the almost lyrical vocabulary, while more extensive than it's contemporary peers, feels likely to pique the curiosity of young readers rather than talking down to them.

Wise and redemptive--this is, and always will remain, a most treasured favorite. ^_^

There’s always that fine line of being able to write about religion or any sort of religious issue and not seem too preachy. In reading C.S. Lewis’s "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" it has finally been proven it can be done. He covers issues of religion while not ever coming across as advocating for any religious value whatsoever. Papa don’t preach!

Some people hear about Lewis’s theologian history and are completely surprised. His world full of talking animals, witches, and magic seems as far away from the Bible as possible. I could be wrong, but I think that was the point. He wasn’t trying to tell any reader that his or her religious beliefs were wrong or that they should support Christianity at all costs. Rather, he was delivering some solid messages of morality from the Bible in a way that’s digestible to all people regardless of religious affiliation. I’m also a guy who’s pretty dang agnostic, so like good ol’ Jack, I’m not trying to advocate for any one religion.

Any Google search of the religious references in "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" will come up with page results of biblical proportions. The Witch is a daughter of Adam’s first wife, Aslan dies for Edmund’s sins, Aslan is resurrected to better the evils of the world, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. Yet despite all these religious references readers are never taken away from the world of Narnia or blatantly told by Lewis to pick up a Bible. Instead, Lewis’s writing gives young readers a first look at religion, allowing them to decide whether or not they want that look to graduate from just a glance to a full on stare, or if they just want to enjoy the magnificent fantasy of Narnia without the influence of any religious institution. I typically go for the latter myself, but the beauty of Lewis’s Narnia is that the wardrobe can take you in many directions.

This book kicks off one of my all-time favorite series. I think reading the Chronicles of Narnia was the first time I realized what my imagination was truly capable of doing. It's an amazing book! The world-building is superb, the characters are distinct, flawed, and interesting, and the stakes are high. The book take a bit of work for the modern chapter book reader to get into as it's an older, British style of writing, but it's well worth it. What a fabulous adventure!

How can you not love The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe? This book is just tremendous. I listened to it on audiobook recently and fell in love with it all over again. This is one of those books that you could read or listen to once a year and never get sick of it. Love it!

Reader reviewed by Abdi S.

  Zesty Suspense

  By: Abdi S.

 

 

Have you ever wondered why kids are so meddling?

This is a book about four orphaned children that search a magical universe.

The children discover that there was a magical portal leading into a different universe lying inside their wardrobe. Edward, Peter, Susan, and Lucie (The Children), and Aslan (The King) embark on a remarkable adventure through the world attempting to defeat the wretched white witch on her plot to freeze all over Narnia, and take over the land.

 

This novel is a true page turner, once you start it you cant put it down.

I personally recommend this book/motion picture to teens, and up. This novel is also suitable for both genders. One of the reasons I loved this book was because the characters are so easy to relate to, for example: Lucie a young girl that follows her siblings around everywhere, and is very friendly with strangers, another easy to relate to character is Edward. Edward is a stubborn teenage boy that always seems to get him, and his siblings into the stickiest situations, Edward also irritates his siblings until they reach the boiling point. Towards the end of the book all the children become more mature.

Reader reviewed by Kristin

Even though I read this book when I was in 4th grade and watched the movie, I reread Narnia: LWW last year, and I was in love.

This book may have been written for children, but it truly is a classic. The plot is based off the best event in history. The characters in this plot are exciting, round, and, best of all, something that we might have imagined when we were younger. I felt like my childhood imagination came back to life. On top, I respected and saw myself in the characters. Edmund-mischievous; Susan-the skeptic; Peter-the oldest; Lucy-simplistic mind.

I'm not sure what made me love this book and the rest of the books of this series so much, but go read the book to find out!

Reader reviewed by Justine

This book is a must read fantasy. The movie is a must see. It actually stuck to the book. If you aren't religous, its okay to read too, because even though people say there's a religous reference, I don't really think there is, but I would'nt know. I wasn't offended by its "religiousness" because I didn't read any. This is a great book.

Reader reviewed by Dominique

When sent to live with a professor to escape bombings, four children, Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy’s lives change forever. They enter Narnia, a magical world, through a wardrobe and go on an adventure they will never forget.

Two girls, Daughters of Eve, and two boys, Sons of Adam, are destined to help end the bitter winter cast over Narnia by the White Witch. These Daughters of Eve and Sons of Adam are Susan, Lucy, Peter, and Edmund, but can four young children save an entire realm? And when one among these four betrays the other three, can the rest still stay together? When the traitor is the one hurt, will the other three come to the rescue?

The children meet Aslan the lion who will aid them in defeating the White Witch and ridding Narnia of the eternal winter. But will they succeed? In this battle of Good vs Evil, who will win? Can the children and Aslan and the forces of Good defeat the cruel Witch and her forces of Evil?

This was a fantastic book that I would recommend to people of all ages! Their a important lessons woven into the story wonderfully. This was a fantastic adventure with betrayal, loyalty, bravery, friendship, and action!

Reader reviewed by Malia

This book is not only one of his best books in the series but it has the potential to capture you from cover to cover.It's amazing to think somebody just made up that story inside their head. Truly Enchanting!