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apostir's review against another edition
1.0
This was terrible.
Susan was the right one. If that’s the God C. S. Lewis believed in he must hate God to make him this cruel. Then the blatant racism, sexism and whatnot.
I will never read these books again unless I have to.
Susan was the right one. If that’s the God C. S. Lewis believed in he must hate God to make him this cruel. Then the blatant racism, sexism and whatnot.
I will never read these books again unless I have to.
minimalmike's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Keep in mind, I am rating this as a children's book.
My personal rating: 3.0
Writing: 4.53
Story: 3.06
Overall: 3.53
My personal rating: 3.0
Writing: 4.53
Story: 3.06
Overall: 3.53
dullshimmer's review against another edition
3.0
As I've been going through the Narnia series and reviewing their books, I have said that they have never been my favorite series. There are some high points (The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and The Silver Chair) but the series overall is good enough, but just not one I would could a favorite. The Last Battle gets the title of least favorite Narnia book.
The tone is just off for the whole book with maybe the exception of the last chapter (which still has some issues). Most of the book is either very gloomy and dark with little hope or read more like a treatise on the afterlife rather than a children's story. Lewis has some interesting ideas in both the story and the more informational parts, but they just didn't much feel like a Narnia story overall.
I know a lot of people talk about Lewis' treatment of Susan, but honestly he's been a bit anti-Susan for awhile. She was a bit boy crazy in A Horse and His Boy which is what led to a good deal of trouble, not very nice in Prince Caspian and then the final comments on her here. Now I'm not sure that he did a good turn to Susan, but I don't think this statement comes out of nowhere either. The fact that nobody is too worked up over it is a bit more of an issue in my mind.
There were things I did like about the book though. I quite liked Tirian and Jewel and thought they were good characters in a rather gloomy story. I also thought that Shift was a rather interesting villain at first, but then kind of dropped off into buffoonery. The Calormenes weren't a bad backup, but we kind of see Lewis using some descriptions that haven't aged well to put it mildly.
The last chapter was probably my favorite in the book. Having everyone reunite with characters from previous books was an enjoyable thing to read through. Unfortunately the chapter didn't quite stick the landing.
Overall, I just felt this lacked the tone of the previous Narnia books, and not in a good way. There were also a number of chapters where it felt like Lewis was simply trying to teach about his ideas on the afterlife. These things are interesting but feel very out of place and doesn't really make for good storytelling. It winds up making it a very so-so kind of book and last place in terms of the Narnia books in my opinion.
The tone is just off for the whole book with maybe the exception of the last chapter (which still has some issues). Most of the book is either very gloomy and dark with little hope or read more like a treatise on the afterlife rather than a children's story. Lewis has some interesting ideas in both the story and the more informational parts, but they just didn't much feel like a Narnia story overall.
I know a lot of people talk about Lewis' treatment of Susan, but honestly he's been a bit anti-Susan for awhile. She was a bit boy crazy in A Horse and His Boy which is what led to a good deal of trouble, not very nice in Prince Caspian and then the final comments on her here. Now I'm not sure that he did a good turn to Susan, but I don't think this statement comes out of nowhere either. The fact that nobody is too worked up over it is a bit more of an issue in my mind.
There were things I did like about the book though. I quite liked Tirian and Jewel and thought they were good characters in a rather gloomy story. I also thought that Shift was a rather interesting villain at first, but then kind of dropped off into buffoonery. The Calormenes weren't a bad backup, but we kind of see Lewis using some descriptions that haven't aged well to put it mildly.
The last chapter was probably my favorite in the book. Having everyone reunite with characters from previous books was an enjoyable thing to read through. Unfortunately the chapter didn't quite stick the landing
Spoiler
since Aslan shows up and simply tells the children they're really dead. The EndOverall, I just felt this lacked the tone of the previous Narnia books, and not in a good way. There were also a number of chapters where it felt like Lewis was simply trying to teach about his ideas on the afterlife. These things are interesting but feel very out of place and doesn't really make for good storytelling. It winds up making it a very so-so kind of book and last place in terms of the Narnia books in my opinion.
cambriakalt's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
maliha_15's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
pasarmalam's review against another edition
4.0
It's a bittersweet ending. It's actually sad but also happy that i can only stare at my room ceiling empty hearted. It's just too much to handle so i needed time until i finally back to my sense. Then i feel like crying.
There are also many things i hate about this book (how racist, sexist, and everything's wrong about it). But push that aside, i still like it somehow. It's a good farewell without saying any goodbye.
There are also many things i hate about this book (how racist, sexist, and everything's wrong about it). But push that aside, i still like it somehow. It's a good farewell without saying any goodbye.
dsylexa's review against another edition
4.0
'The Last Battle' takes the fourth spot in my Chronicles of Narnia favorites, and let me explain why it nudges ahead of 'The Magician's Nephew.' While both books have their merits, 'The Magician's Nephew' felt somewhat like a patchwork addition to fill in plot holes, creating more questions than answers. In contrast, 'The Last Battle' finds C.S. Lewis back on track, skillfully weaving together key details from all the previous stories to craft a fitting conclusion to the series.
True to its time, having been penned in 1956, this book does bear traces of the era's biases, although they are not as glaringly explicit as in 'The Horse and His Boy.' Nevertheless, they are still present, subtly underscoring the narrative.
***SPOILER ALERT***
let's delve into Susan's storyline, which has sparked considerable debate. Susan's exclusion from what's essentially Narnia's version of heaven is indeed a poignant and, some would argue, unfair moment in the narrative. Her transformation from a ruler and warrior to a young woman navigating post-war Europe's harsh realities is a stark contrast. If she were to try and share her Narnian experiences, she might indeed face disbelief and ostracization.
Susan's journey prompts reflection on the challenges individuals face when trying to reconcile extraordinary experiences with the often mundane world. It's entirely reasonable for Susan to have questioned or even stopped believing in Narnia and Aslan, given the stark contrast between her two worlds. Her reaction reflects a human response to the complexity of life.
It's a reminder that we should be cautious about passing judgment on others' beliefs or disbelief, especially in the face of such profound and jarring experiences. In Susan's shoes, many of us might have reacted similarly. Susan is a character with depth and complexity, and her fate serves as a powerful reminder of the struggles and nuances of faith and belief in the face of extraordinary circumstances.
True to its time, having been penned in 1956, this book does bear traces of the era's biases, although they are not as glaringly explicit as in 'The Horse and His Boy.' Nevertheless, they are still present, subtly underscoring the narrative.
***SPOILER ALERT***
let's delve into Susan's storyline, which has sparked considerable debate. Susan's exclusion from what's essentially Narnia's version of heaven is indeed a poignant and, some would argue, unfair moment in the narrative. Her transformation from a ruler and warrior to a young woman navigating post-war Europe's harsh realities is a stark contrast. If she were to try and share her Narnian experiences, she might indeed face disbelief and ostracization.
Susan's journey prompts reflection on the challenges individuals face when trying to reconcile extraordinary experiences with the often mundane world. It's entirely reasonable for Susan to have questioned or even stopped believing in Narnia and Aslan, given the stark contrast between her two worlds. Her reaction reflects a human response to the complexity of life.
It's a reminder that we should be cautious about passing judgment on others' beliefs or disbelief, especially in the face of such profound and jarring experiences. In Susan's shoes, many of us might have reacted similarly. Susan is a character with depth and complexity, and her fate serves as a powerful reminder of the struggles and nuances of faith and belief in the face of extraordinary circumstances.
feenkanzlerin's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0