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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