A review by katiemcgregor
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, by C.S. Lewis
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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? Yes
5.0
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is one of the very first books I ever remember being introduced to as a child and it is so dear to me. Perhaps, THE most formative book of my life. I've listened to the Focus on the Family Radio Theater (a fantastic and immersive experience) and audiobook versions more times that I can count, but can't recall ever reading the Chronicles in written format.
I adore C.S. Lewis for many reasons, but all of that aside, his writing, on it's own, is so charming. It's not overly flowery, but is immensely effective in portraying the nuances of Narnia and it's characters. The Biblical Allegories speak for themselves, though I'm sure they're more effective to readers with a knowledge of Christianity.
As someone who grew up in the Church with an early introduction to these books (and who was well aware of the allegory as a child), I still find myself admiring how well they're integrated into the story. It's nuanced enough that I can appreciate the implications as an adult reader, but also think that this book would be enjoyable for someone with no Biblical knowledge. It stands on it's own as a whimsical children's fantasy. I'm now realizing that Lewis' influence may be a large part of why I found myself enjoying the writing styles of Diana Wynne Jones and Neil Gaiman later in life.
I'm quite excited to continue on with the rest of the series since I have less memory of the details from here on out.
I adore C.S. Lewis for many reasons, but all of that aside, his writing, on it's own, is so charming. It's not overly flowery, but is immensely effective in portraying the nuances of Narnia and it's characters. The Biblical Allegories speak for themselves, though I'm sure they're more effective to readers with a knowledge of Christianity.
As someone who grew up in the Church with an early introduction to these books (and who was well aware of the allegory as a child), I still find myself admiring how well they're integrated into the story. It's nuanced enough that I can appreciate the implications as an adult reader, but also think that this book would be enjoyable for someone with no Biblical knowledge. It stands on it's own as a whimsical children's fantasy. I'm now realizing that Lewis' influence may be a large part of why I found myself enjoying the writing styles of Diana Wynne Jones and Neil Gaiman later in life.
I'm quite excited to continue on with the rest of the series since I have less memory of the details from here on out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Bullying