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A review by librarymouse
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I'm kind of mad that I'm really like CS Lewis's fiction. I read just enough of mere Christianity to know how fundamentally Lewis and I differ on our perception of the place of Christianity and religion in policing the rights of others, but I really do like this series and I agree with a lot of his critical readings of Paradise Lost. Food for thought I guess 🙃.
Initially Edmund is a terrible person and sibling, though he does get better throughout the book, Peter and Susan aren't given as much characterization as I would have liked, and I'm frustrated with how Lucy was treated by her siblings and then relegated to the sidelines during the battle. With that out of the way, I really enjoyed the Beavers, especially in how they care for the children but also bring some explanation into the story. Lewis's narration style is also very fun! I like that he will occasionally mention the previous chapter by calling it the previous chapter, and I understand why everybody liked them so much as children. The series really does just feel like childhood.
The religious parallels are definitely very prominent, and I don't think enough consideration is given to the impact having lived full lives as rulers of Narnia only to return back to a childhood during world war II would have on Lucy, Edmud, Susan, and Peter. I look forward to seeing what happens next.
Initially Edmund is a terrible person and sibling, though he does get better throughout the book, Peter and Susan aren't given as much characterization as I would have liked, and I'm frustrated with how Lucy was treated by her siblings and then relegated to the sidelines during the battle. With that out of the way, I really enjoyed the Beavers, especially in how they care for the children but also bring some explanation into the story. Lewis's narration style is also very fun! I like that he will occasionally mention the previous chapter by calling it the previous chapter, and I understand why everybody liked them so much as children. The series really does just feel like childhood.
The religious parallels are definitely very prominent, and I don't think enough consideration is given to the impact having lived full lives as rulers of Narnia only to return back to a childhood during world war II would have on Lucy, Edmud, Susan, and Peter. I look forward to seeing what happens next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Death, and Grief
Moderate: War