Never too Late to Read Classics discussion

The Chronicles of Narnia is a series of seven fantasy novels by C. S. Lewis. It is considered a classic of children's literature and is the author's best-known work, originally published in London between 1950 and 1956,

Set in the fictional realm of Narnia, a fantasy world of magic, mythical beasts, and talking animals, the series narrates the adventures of various children who play central roles in the unfolding history of that world.

If you have not read any of The Chronicles of Narnia before, you are in for a treat.
I suggest you start with The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe if you have not read them before, since that book was the first book written for this series by C.S. Lewis. The Magician's Nephew, which takes place before the action in The Lion, ... was written later on.

While I've read all these books before, it's been years and years. I know that when I previously read them I read them in publication order. This time I'm going to read them in chronological order and start with The Magician's Nephew which I've ordered from the library but have not yet received.

I read The Magician's Nephew a year ago. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did, Gem.

Hello, everyone! I volunteered to moderate/facilitate the discussion for this book, as it is one of the most influential books of my lifetime. I've never done this before on this group, so bear with me! I'll try to do a good job for you all!

I agree with Rosemarie that the best way to read the series is in publication order, not chronological order - so if you haven't read The Magicians Nephew, do not despair! You are in the right order, nonetheless!

Moonlight Reader, I am looking forward to your being part of your discussion group for these wonderful books.

I'm going to try and participate in this read too, I borrowed it as a 'sprinter-read' from the library, which means I have to hand it back in this saturday...

And I haven't even started yet. Hope to finish Doc Savage tonight, so I can read this one over the next 2 days, so I can start Eight Cousins for the group read. Oh yeah, and there's the North & South read too...

Is it obvious I'm trying to cramm 2 months worth of reading into this one, because next month I'll be too busy? Lol

I wish I could reread The Chronicles of Narnia with the group, but I'm so busy with summer semester right now.

Rosemarie wrote: "I suggest you start with The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe if you have not read them before, since that book was the first book written for this series by C.S. Lewis. "

I agree. I recently reviewed Letters to Children and most of my review was about my disagreement with the new reading order.

I read the book, it was a really quick read.

I'm glad I did, but I wasn't as enchanted by it as I had hoped. I hadn't read it before, or seen any of the movies, and honestly, I don't feel like I missed out.

My favourite book in the series is The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. One of the characters is the cousin of the four, called Eustace Scrubb. In my opinion, it is the most entertaining.

That's good to hear, Rosemarie. I was planning on getting through the rest of them in the near future, ...

Maybe it would be helpful to post some questions about tLtWatW to get the discussion started?

1. How old were you when you first read The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe?
2. How did your feelings change regarding this book as you got older?
3. What is your favorite thing about this book?
4. Who is your favorite character?
5. How did you feel about the ending?

I've previously answered these questions in a blog post with a friend, which you can find in its entirety here.

I've also previously blogged about this entire series. My posts have spoilers, but if you are interested, you can find them here:

The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe
Prince Caspian
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
The Silver Chair
The Horse and His Boy
The Magician's Nephew
The Last Battle

My answers to the questions:

All right, here goes:

1. I was around 8 years old when I first read TLTW&TW.

2. This book is really important to me. It was the first fantasy book I ever read, and has had a tremendous impact on my development as a reader. The first time I read it, I was completely captivated. It was so influential that, even now, reading it provides me a direct connection to who I was as a young reader and a young girl - it is the literary equivalent of Proust's madeleine for me. So, when I read this book, I read it as two people: the girl and the woman. The woman does see flaws in the book - C.S. Lewis's treatment of his two female characters, Susan and Lucy, is troubling to me, even this early in the series. It gets even more troubling in the later books, when he actively severs Susan from the narrative, but even at this early stage, Lewis doesn't give the two Pevensie girls nearly as much autonomy as he does the Pevensie boys. They are not as well-rounded, and are not permitted to make mistakes or participate in the battles or, really, in the government. Lucy is far too perfect, and Susan is far too motherly, to be real.

3. My favorite thing about this book is the Englishness of the fantasy imagery. I love Narnia, I love the talking beasts, I love the snow and Mr. Tumnus's cave, and the sardines on toast and basically everything.

4. Of the four children, I most identified with Susan, which made the betrayal of her fate all that much more devastating to me. Of the non-Pevensie characters, I loved Mr. Tumnus with his humanity and integrity. And the White Witch was a great villain.

5. As a child, I was totally fine with the ending.

Now, I think it is absurd. In my review of Prince Caspian, I wrote this:

"The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe ends with Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy tumbling back through the wardrobe as adults and returning to their childhoods, exactly where they left off. Has anyone (else) had that dream where they are back in high school, but can’t figure out why? I have a recurring one – I am still a lawyer, but I’m back at my high school because I need some credit or another in order to graduate (and I haven’t been to class in WEEKS, also, I might possibly have a towel on my head from having just emerged from the shower, but I digress) and I am wandering around trying to explain that I don’t understand why I am here, because I have a graduate degree and a job. The credits I need are always in math, and I haven’t taken a math class in decades and scarcely remember how to multiply without using a calculator. But, again, I digress.

Anyway, C.S. Lewis ignores the part of the story that has the children wandering around like they are me, wondering why they have to go back to the seventh grade when they are, duh, kings and queens of Narnia. Also, possibly, they have experienced romantic, um, love, and have yet been returned to a state of bizarre (emotional) virginity (this is especially difficult to imagine for Lucy, which is presumably why Lewis ignored it. Because, eww)."

So, as an adult, this ending is completely untenable.

Moonlight Reader wrote: "Maybe it would be helpful to post some questions about tLtWatW to get the discussion started?

1. How old were you when you first read The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe?
2. How did your feeling..."

This is one of my favorite book series. I just finished re-reading it about a month ago, and I'm happily doing it again!
1. I first read The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe on my own when I was about 10 or 11. Before then, my grandma had read the book to my younger brother and myself because it was one of her favorite books. So it's a nostalgia read for me, more than anything.
2. I think as I got older, I began to understand the book more. As a child, I thought it was just a fun book of adventure, and I loved it. As I grew older, I began to distinctly recognize the religious undertones, and the meaning behind the story. I don't love it any less for that, though I will say this isn't my favorite of the Narnia books.
3. I honestly can't pick a favorite part of the book!
4. My favorite character is Lucy. As a child, I related to Lucy a lot. As I grew older, and read more of the series, my favorite character shifted to Edmund. I like his character development quite a bit.
5. As a child, I never questioned the ending. But as I got older, I realized how strange that would be. Imagine the skills they'd have, and the knowledge; they were used to being treated like queens and kings and being surrounded by talking animal. Then coming back to England and going to school? Having other people tell them what to do? That's an adjustment that's pretty hard to make.

The character Lucy was created by Lewis for his granddaughter.

I first read the Narnia series in my 20's, after graduating from university. The only job I could get was in a department store(being a literature major) so eacaping to Narnia kept me sane. I loved them and have reread them at intervals over the course of the years.

Marisa wrote: "this isn't my favorite of the Narnia books. "

Which is your favorite of the Narnia books? And why? Do you have a least favorite?

1.How old were you when you first read The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe?

It was read to us at primary school when I was 8 and I was totally enraptured. I must have talked about it so much I got the complete series for Christmas.

2. How did your feelings change regarding this book as you got older?

When I was at university I discussed the book with other Christians and it's religious meanings stood out more for me then than when I first came across it. I loved it more.

3. What is your favorite thing about this book?

I found the first meeting with Mr Tumnus in the forest and his quaint home delightful. Also the beavers home and behaviour.
4. Who is your favorite character?

Lucy was always my favourite, maybe because of perceived similarities in our characters and standing in the family (I was the youngest of 2 boys and 2 girls). Closely followed by the delightful Mr. Tumnus.
5. How did you feel about the ending?

The ending made complete sense to me and righted all wrongs which for a child and the child in me, is very much as it should be giving comfort and security. The children needed to return to this world if the journey was to be of any use to the people here. This world needed the magic and charm of Narnia.
I think the books have to be approached as a child for them to make 'sense'. When we leave this innocent state and become somewhat hardened in our views, as happens when we grow up to adulthood, then Narnia is just a story. I like to return to them to remind myself of that more innocent time.

Moonlight Reader wrote: "Marisa wrote: "this isn't my favorite of the Narnia books. "

Which is your favorite of the Narnia books? And why? Do you have a least favorite?"

My favourite for a long time was The Lion... but now it is The Silver Chair because of the much deeper understanding of the journey of a Christian depicted within it's story. The book I least liked was A Horse and his boy probably because it never seemed to me to fit the series. Next in line would be The Last Battle; I found the characters irritating and it simply didn't have the same magic for me.

Noted above by others is Lewis' treatment of the girl's characters. Basically Lewis was a bachelor in a world of bachelors until he met Joy. I think he idealized the girls and was not able to give them the depth of character as say Edmund. Susan especially I felt was badly treated and almost cast off as a character. This was a major flaw in the stories but nevertheless I still love the books and can forgive Lewis. He wrote what he knew and did his best with the rest.

Tracey wrote: "Moonlight Reader wrote: "Marisa wrote: "this isn't my favorite of the Narnia books. "

Which is your favorite of the Narnia books? And why? Do you have a least favorite?"

My favourite for a long t..."

I really loved The Horse and his Boy, mostly because of Aravis, who is the most unequivocally awesome of Lewis's female characters.

I can't forgive Lewis for his treatment of Susan. If she had done something genuinely unforgivable (like murdered someone, or something), that would be one thing. But all Susan did was grow up in the precise way that was culturally approved and intentionally pleasing to men - essentially destroying her own character in the process - and for that her entire family, as well as Narnia, consigns her to eternal isolation. Their response to her absence is horrifying. They risked everything for their traitorous brother (who sold them out for candy and the possibility of power over them), but can't even be bothered to care for three seconds about their lost sister. It's dismissive, demeaning and misogynistic. He should be embarrassed. Ugh.

Moonlight Reader wrote: "Tracey wrote: "Moonlight Reader wrote: "Marisa wrote: "this isn't my favorite of the Narnia books. "

Which is your favorite of the Narnia books? And why? Do you have a least favorite?"

My favouri..."

Your reply made me smile. I totally understand what you say and why you say it. The reason I forgive him is that he is a product of his time and place. It was a misogynistic world in academia (and let's face it, still is in many ways). Lewis treated Susan as he saw it and I think it is a valuable piece of literature if for only this point. But also I think the point Lewis makes in his later works is that ultimately it is God that judges and I suspect a lot of people will be very surprised by those God deems worthy rather than those who were perceived by their peers to be worthy. The Christian story is an eternally learning process and I think that is what the Narnia stories shows. Flaws in the people and plots to my mind make it all the more accessible and relatable to us flawed mortals who often 'get it' so wrong.

Moonlight Reader wrote: "Tracey wrote: "Moonlight Reader wrote: "Marisa wrote: "this isn't my favorite of the Narnia books. "

Which is your favorite of the Narnia books? And why? Do you have a least favorite?"

My favouri..."

Yes, yes, yes! I despise the ending of the series, and Lewis essentially damned Susan (but not Peter) for growing up -- even though before this Susan was always the level-headed, reliable one.

Just checking in to see if we've picked up any additional readers!

If you are a re-reader, I'm wondering which of the Narnia books is your personal favorite? Mine is The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, and Tracey's is The Silver Chair. Anyone else want to share?

Also, who is your favorite character and why?

I am reading The Horse and his Boy and want to share this quote from the end of chapter 2.
The author is talking about the children learning story telling in the schools of Calormene and compares it to writing essays in school:

The difference is that people want to hear the stories, whereas I never heard of anyone who wanted to read the essays.

I finished reading A Horse and his Boy today and loved it. It was more of an adventure story than the other books in the series.

RE: Susan. In TLTWTW Aslan states than once a king or queen in Narnia, always a king and queen. Which makes the fact of Susan being shut out seem strange. Maybe she was just not there then but would be in the future?

New readers...my daughter who has dyslexia and hates reading because she believes she can't has taken the whole Narnia series home with her (which I bought her several years ago) because she enjoyed reading it along with me this month.
So big thanks from me for this.
And I am going to try reading A Horse and his Boy again as seemingly I may have missed something the first time around :)

Rosemarie wrote: "I am reading The Horse and his Boy and want to share this quote from the end of chapter 2.
The author is talking about the children learning story telling in the schools of Calormene and compares i..."

Rosemarie, I always loved that quote!

Rosemarie wrote: "I finished reading A Horse and his Boy today and loved it. It was more of an adventure story than the other books in the series."

Isn't Aravis awesome? I just love her!

I like the part where she and her friend, who loves to talk about clothes, discover the plans of the Tisroc.

Moonlight Reader wrote: "I agree with Rosemarie that the best way to read the series is in publication order, not chronological order - so if you haven't read The Magicians Nephew, do not despair! You are in the right order, nonetheless! ..."

I'm new to the group and Lewis is one of my favourite authors so I thought I'd jump into the discussion! I've read them in both orders and much prefer the publication order.

Good to see you here, MR! *** waves ***

Moonlight Reader wrote: "Maybe it would be helpful to post some questions about tLtWatW to get the discussion started?

1. How old were you when you first read The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe?
2. How did your feeling..."


1) I actually didn't read the book first! I watched the movie, and I was completely enamored.

2) I have read and re-read the series several times. The first couple of times, I loved it even more than the movie. I loved CS Lewis's writing style and the fantasy and everything! However, I very recently re-read the series. I prefer reading it in chronological order, so "The Magician's Nephew" came first, and I found that after all these years, my love for the series and the world had not died down. However, when I got to TLTW&TW, I found issues with his treatment of women (which I think someone mentioned above). For example, there is a scene where Father Christmas comes to give them gifts, and he looks at the girls and does not give them a weapon because he believes girls are not meant for war. I understand that the book was written quite a while back, but I still took a little offense. And another thing which bothered me was that it was kind of a rip off of the bible, though I can deal with that :P

3) My favourite thing about the book? Hard to decide. The magic? The idea that if you have problems in the real world, you can escape to a different world just by stepping into your closet? :)

4)Lucy! I love her curiosity and kindness . I feel like her siblings, particularly Peter was able to see this and was affected by it so much that they set off on a mad quest to save a strange land.

5) I'm assuming you mean the ending of the entire series. My most non-spoilery answer is -I rather liked it. :P

Moonlight Reader wrote: "Just checking in to see if we've picked up any additional readers!

If you are a re-reader, I'm wondering which of the Narnia books is your personal favorite? Mine is The Lion, The Witch and the Wa..."
My favourite is "The Magician's Nephew". I loved the origin story of Narnia! And it's written so well and I feel it is a perfect introduction into the world of Narnia. I also actually felt a little scared when he writes about the witch and that place the kids found her in, which makes me like it even more , I don't know why. Maybe because his words and description had the power to scare me, which doesn't happen often?
Speaking of description, I LOVE the way he describes things in the book. Especially the creation of Narnia. I could just picture it happening in my head, and with every sentence, the picture became clearer.

As I mentioned in my previous post, my favourite character is Lucy! I love her curiosity and kindness . I feel like her siblings, particularly Peter was able to see this and was affected by it so much that they set off on a mad quest to save a strange land.
This power she had to influence her siblings to do good, was in no way evil or manipulative. Her motives are completely pure, which I just adore.

She who must not be named wrote: "My favourite is "The Magician's Nephew". I loved the origin story of Narnia! And it's written so well and I feel it is a perfect introduction into the world of Narnia. I also actually felt a little scared when he writes about the witch and that place the kids found her in, which makes me like it even more , I don't know why. Maybe because his words and description had the power to scare me, which doesn't happen often?
Speaking of description, I LOVE the way he describes things in the book. Especially the creation of Narnia. I could just picture it happening in my head, and with every sentence, the picture became clearer...."

At first I didn't like The Magician's Nephew when I first read the series in chronological order, but when I recently re-read it in published order, I loved it. The contrast between Digory and Uncle Andrew and the various choices they make was excellently crafted by Lewis and the Platonic references to self-deception was fascinating .... only Lewis could interweave classical philosophy into a children's story so well. I read somewhere that The Deplorable Word was a reference to the atomic bomb but I believe it was just speculation. Interesting speculation nonetheless .... :-)

Cleo wrote: "She who must not be named wrote: "My favourite is "The Magician's Nephew". I loved the origin story of Narnia! And it's written so well and I feel it is a perfect introduction into the world of Nar..."

Hi, Cleo!

I agree that Magician's Nephew is better if it is read after TLTW&TW.

She who must not be named wrote: "I'm assuming you mean the ending of the entire series. My most non-spoilery answer is -I rather liked it. :P
"

I really did mean the end of TLTW&TW! I think that the ending of the book is interesting. It worked fine for me when I was a kid, but now that I read it as an adult, I don't like it.

I finished The Magician's Nephew yesterday and absolutely love it. I thought I had previously (as a teen and/or young adult) read the entire series, but after this read I realized I must have been mistaken. I could never have forgotten the creation story and all that goes along with it.

I'm going to be the dissenting voice here. While my previous reads were in publication order, I am reading them this time in chronological order. Personally I have a difficult time with keeping time and timelines in order when I don't read in chronological order (and it makes my brain itch.) I will never pick up book two or three in any series and read it first. I like background information, I need the "facts" in place to really enjoy the stories in any series moving forward. (The exception being something like Jules Verne's Extraordinary Voyages where the story lines are completely stand alone.)

The Magician's Nephew address the creation of Narnia and several other issues, for example why the wardrobe (in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe) was magical, where the Witch came from, etc. Now those questions are answered and the reading the next book (in chronological order) will make far more sense to me.

I am just the reverse, Gem. I enjoy reading them in the published order and enjoyed the answers in the magician's nephew-like what was a lamppost doing in the middle of the forest.
It doesn't really matter which order we read them in( The Lion, etc and The magician' nephew) as long as we read them and enjoy them.

It's valuable to try both ways and see which you prefer. The Magician's Nephew bored me silly when I read it first, but with the back story, when I read it in published order it really came alive for me. But, as Rosemarie says, it's that we read them that matters.

Rosemarie wrote: "I am just the reverse, Gem. I enjoy reading them in the published order and enjoyed the answers in the magician's nephew-like what was a lamppost doing in the middle of the forest.
It doesn't real..."

Agreed.

❀✿ Gem ✿❀ wrote: "I finished The Magician's Nephew yesterday and absolutely love it. I thought I had previously (as a teen and/or young adult) read the entire series, but after this read I realized I mu..."
Yup, this exactly how I feel! Thanks for putting it into words :)