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A review by dsylexa
The Last Battle by C.S. Lewis
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.