My brother got me a nice box set of "The Chronicles of Narnia" four or five years ago. Since then, I have picked it up and looked at the individual books only once or twice. Today, as I wiped the thick dust off of the top, I told myself that this is going to be a really good thing. Narnia, here I come!
Book Two: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy are average kids, until they discover a wardrobe that takes them to Narnia, a world where animals talk and mythical creatures roam. Narnia is stuck in winter, an evil spell done by the White Witch. The kids discover that they are part of a prophecy; once they sit in the Throne at Cair Paravel, the evil time will be over. But can they do it with the White Witch after them and one of their own betraying them? It'll take the assistance of all the good creatures and Aslan himself, the mighty lion who created Narnia, to help the children conquer evil.
My Thoughts
Ugh. I was not looking forward to this book. How many times were we forced to read this in elementary school? Nevertheless, I had to go in order. I couldn't just skip it.
I didn't hate it too much, even though it must be my billionth time reading it. Even so, I found some new and interesting things to think about. I was particularly interested in the different characters.
Everyone just loves Lucy because she is peach pie and was the first one to find Narnia. Well, guess what? I like Susan better. So there. I also think that Lucy pulled a pretty brainless move when she visited Mr. Tumnus a second time, after during her first visit he mentioned that he was about to turn her in and if he didn't he would probably die. How would visiting again help?
I feel bad for Edmund. He's made out to be the bad guy and doesn't even get a present at Christmas. Peter is okay, I guess. He fades into the background for me. But he is pretty cool with his sword skills.
Some returning characters include Digory (briefly, and as an old man called by Professor Kirk), Aslan, and Queen/Evil Witch Jadis. Some new minor characters include the Beaver family and the giant Rumblebuffin.
Which of these characters do you think will show up in the rest of the series?
Points of Interest
- To get to Narnia, the kids don't go through the Wood between the Worlds. Why? Is it just because they aren't using the rings to get into Narnia?
- Jadis was a scary antagonist. This is kind of a contrast from the last book, in which she was almost comical and Uncle Andrew, the other antagonist in the first book, was just plain irritating.
- What even is Turkish Delight? Please explain it to me.
- I sense some religious symbolism, but to avoid controversy, that is all that shall be said about the matter.
- It is mentioned several times that Aslan is both good and terrible. Any thoughts on that?
Favorites
- Quote: "What do they teach in school these days?" Professor Kirk (repeated two or three times.)
- Character: Susan
- Chapter: The Spell Begins to Break
What's next? "The Horse and His Boy" Tune in next week to find out what this peculiar title means.
