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A review by yas_sezer
The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis
4.0
4 stars - this is so cozy and nostalgic, thank you c s lewis
i haven’t ever read the narnia series but grew up watching the movies and played jadis in a school play, so diving into the original world as an adult feels amazing. the writing is beautiful, lewis is definitely one of the few authors who knew how to write for children and adults simultaneously. there haven’t been many other kids books that have this magic in them (this, doctor dolittle, and alice in wonderland are the few that come to mind).
this is the prequel to the world of narnia, where we get to see how it originated and we meet digory as a child which is so sweet. i got giddy when it clicked that it’s the professor we knew in the films, and it only went uphill from there. this world to me is a cozy fantasy, and despite the high stakes that will follow in the upcoming books, it will always feel like a hug.
the magic with the rings, the wood between the worlds with the pool portals, the dead land of charn, jadis, and of course aslan were some of the highlights from this story. the magic system and aslan in particular has similarities to religious beliefs which i find fascinating to see. for eg. aslan selecting a male and female from each species of animal as a “talking beast” reminded me of the story of noah. digory going to get an apple from the tree and being tainted by jadis, very adam and eve vibes. i assume that’s the point, and i enjoyed that aspect.
i’m hoping to finish the series in the month of february, and expect that it will only get better as it continues. i have faith in lewis’ writing, and look forward to going along for the ride.
i haven’t ever read the narnia series but grew up watching the movies and played jadis in a school play, so diving into the original world as an adult feels amazing. the writing is beautiful, lewis is definitely one of the few authors who knew how to write for children and adults simultaneously. there haven’t been many other kids books that have this magic in them (this, doctor dolittle, and alice in wonderland are the few that come to mind).
this is the prequel to the world of narnia, where we get to see how it originated and we meet digory as a child which is so sweet. i got giddy when it clicked that it’s the professor we knew in the films, and it only went uphill from there. this world to me is a cozy fantasy, and despite the high stakes that will follow in the upcoming books, it will always feel like a hug.
the magic with the rings, the wood between the worlds with the pool portals, the dead land of charn, jadis, and of course aslan were some of the highlights from this story. the magic system and aslan in particular has similarities to religious beliefs which i find fascinating to see. for eg. aslan selecting a male and female from each species of animal as a “talking beast” reminded me of the story of noah. digory going to get an apple from the tree and being tainted by jadis, very adam and eve vibes. i assume that’s the point, and i enjoyed that aspect.
i’m hoping to finish the series in the month of february, and expect that it will only get better as it continues. i have faith in lewis’ writing, and look forward to going along for the ride.