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pacifickat's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
About as good as I remembered it from childhood (not ever my favorite in the series, but ok).
There were definitely details I appreciated as an adult about Lewis' storytelling that my younger self didn't notice (ex. the children's age-appropriate struggle to do a math sum, the cartoonish self-centeredness of the uncle, the relationship of Strawberry the horse and his cabby, the maid who is having a simply wonderful day of watching the drama unfold, etc.).
I did find the theology a little confusing when applied to children, especially the idea that Aslan would send children on a mission but not tell them what is at stake (eternal unhappiness) if they don't do exactly as they're told. I don't like dire consequences as a punishment for minor infractions committed by children, especially a child who's disobedience would be driven by wanting to heal a dying mother. It's a little too tight of an analogy to the biblical Genesis Creation and Fall narrative, and I wish the connection had been a bit less literal, and a bit less moralistic and fear-inducing for children.
I do think the final warning from Aslan, that great evil committed by power-hungry and uncaring national leaders might cause a literal end to this world is a bit out of place in a children's story. However, I don't think I picked up on that as a kid. I do think the advent of nuclear weapons weighted heavily on Lewis and his contemporaries though, and it is interesting to see that message come through in this story.
I do love the ending that Lewis gave Polly in particular.
There were definitely details I appreciated as an adult about Lewis' storytelling that my younger self didn't notice (ex. the children's age-appropriate struggle to do a math sum, the cartoonish self-centeredness of the uncle, the relationship of Strawberry the horse and his cabby, the maid who is having a simply wonderful day of watching the drama unfold, etc.).
I did find the theology a little confusing when applied to children, especially the idea that Aslan would send children on a mission but not tell them what is at stake (eternal unhappiness) if they don't do exactly as they're told. I don't like dire consequences as a punishment for minor infractions committed by children, especially a child who's disobedience would be driven by wanting to heal a dying mother. It's a little too tight of an analogy to the biblical Genesis Creation and Fall narrative, and I wish the connection had been a bit less literal, and a bit less moralistic and fear-inducing for children.
I do think the final warning from Aslan, that great evil committed by power-hungry and uncaring national leaders might cause a literal end to this world is a bit out of place in a children's story. However, I don't think I picked up on that as a kid. I do think the advent of nuclear weapons weighted heavily on Lewis and his contemporaries though, and it is interesting to see that message come through in this story.
I do love the ending that Lewis gave Polly in particular.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Chronic illness, and Kidnapping
Minor: Grief and Abandonment
hihicass's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness
abby_can_read's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
🎧
Like the others in the series, I did enjoy this book. It was cute and engaging. Lewis has a captivating writing style.
Like the others in the series, I did enjoy this book. It was cute and engaging. Lewis has a captivating writing style.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Misogyny, and Sexism
Minor: Genocide, Xenophobia, Alcohol, and War
thegr1mreader's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Terminal illness
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Cancer, Genocide, Misogyny, Slavery, and War
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Chronic illness, Genocide, Slavery, and Alcohol
cubbykay's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
4.5
I remember enjoying this one as a kid, and I enjoyed it once again this second time. It's easily in the top three of the series. I love the friendship between the kids, their bond is beautifully written. While I'm often annoyed at prequels that give backstories to things that don't need them, I found the references to the future events exciting. I find the cast of characters loveable, even when they're deplorable. I enjoy the chaotic mess they all get into.
But also, let's not forget that in the first paragraph Lewis made Sherlock Holmes cannon in the same universe. And the portal world keeps the door open for an infinite amount of universe crossover. So I really get a kick out of imagining that Lewis would be a SuperWhoLock fanboy in another life.
Note for Audiobook version, Kenneth Branagh did an excellent job. I loved his voices and he sucked me into the world building.
But also, let's not forget that in the first paragraph Lewis made Sherlock Holmes cannon in the same universe. And the portal world keeps the door open for an infinite amount of universe crossover. So I really get a kick out of imagining that Lewis would be a SuperWhoLock fanboy in another life.
Note for Audiobook version, Kenneth Branagh did an excellent job. I loved his voices and he sucked me into the world building.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny and Terminal illness
Minor: Animal cruelty
tessanie's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Violence, Alcohol, and War
another_dahlia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Violence
Moderate: Terminal illness
Minor: Death, Alcohol, and War
readingduckling's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
This book was almost a reread. But I never read it my self (my mom read it to me when I was younger) and I completely forgot what happened in this book. I cloud just remember about two plot points and they were very minimal: like that I knew, that the main people in this book were a boy and a girl.
I enjoyed reading this book but it was not an amazing experience. It was fast paced and easy to read. I think this book fits with the other Narnia books. But in the end the book didn't sweeped me of my feet or made me feel or think as much as other books I read this year.
It was ok but it was just ok. But that didn't surprise me because I know even back in the day it wasn't m favourite Narnia story.
The illustrations were nice, even though they were quite simple.
I enjoyed reading this book but it was not an amazing experience. It was fast paced and easy to read. I think this book fits with the other Narnia books. But in the end the book didn't sweeped me of my feet or made me feel or think as much as other books I read this year.
It was ok but it was just ok. But that didn't surprise me because I know even back in the day it wasn't m favourite Narnia story.
The illustrations were nice, even though they were quite simple.
Content Warnings
Minor: Chronic illness, Terminal illness, and War
caitlincrtr's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Terminal illness
lybrarie's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A quick, light and easy read. The parallel to the Christian story of creation is fairly obvious, but I really enjoyed getting to know how Narnia came to be as well as some of Jadis' and some other characters' backstories.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
Moderate: Terminal illness