I'm so excited about this book, I can't even write an intro. Let's just jump right in, shall we?
Book Three: The Horse and His Boy
Shasta escapes from his abusive parent figure on a talking horse named Bree. Now where else would a talking horse be but from Narnia? Bree wants to get back to Narnia and is willing to take Shasta with him. On their way there, they run into Aravis and Hwin, a girl and a talking horse, who are also on their way to Narnia. They travel together and soon come to the city of Tashbaan, where they are separated. Shasta is mistaken for a prince, and Aravis overhears the plan of the king of Tashbaan to attack and capture several places, including Narnia. Can the four travelers make it across the desert and warn the Narnians before it's too late?
My Thoughts
As I was trying to decide on my favorite character, I realized that I liked them all, even the characters that weren't necessarily good! The characters were interesting and had good characteristics as well as bad. My favorite part was that the characters developed and changed over the course of the novel. That, for me, is what makes a good story.
Parts of the story were confusing. For example, there is a chapter where some characters sit and talk about different nations and different people that don't really have any significance at all, and I had trouble keeping up. Also, I found the foreshadowing to be a bit strong at times (I don't know about you, but I guessed that Shasta was Corin's twin long before the end of the book).
Other than those two points, I really enjoyed this book. The plot was engaging and I wanted to read more. Never again will I classify the Narnia books as boring. I especially enjoyed the race against time across the desert and the climatic battle. So far, this is my favorite Narnia book.
Points of Interest
- Susan, Edmund, Lucy, and Peter were all in this book or mentioned. They are ruling Narnia. So technically, this book takes place somewhere in the middle of "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe". Right?
- I don't really get why this book is called "The Horse and His Boy". Can someone please explain it to me in the comments?
- If, last book, I was sensing religious symbolism, this time the religious symbolism is hitting me over the head with a stick. Again, I do not want to discuss religion any further than just pointing it out.
- Along with Susan, Edmund, Lucy, and Peter, Aslan and Mr. Tumnus make an appearance. So far, Aslan has been in every book.
Favorites
- Quote: " . . . both horses were doing, if not all they could, all they think they could; which is not quite the same thing."
- Character: Either the independent Aravis or the mischievous Prince Colin.
- Chapter: The Fight at Anvard
Next week we will be tackling book four, "Prince Caspian". Feel free to Y-mail me questions and comments about this book throughout the week, and we can discuss them in the next article. Thanks!
-singel12
