I'm reading the Chronicles of Narnia!

[Little Shepherd]

I've been reading the Chronicles of Narnia lately, and my goal is to finish all seven books, which I've never done before. Previously, I read A Horse and His Boy at age 11 or 12. I remember where I was sitting while I did it, and how old I had to have been to be in that particular place. I was at least 14 when I later read The Magician's Nephew, and immediately read part of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe only to lose interest(or lose the book -- I don't remember too clearly).

Well, it's about 10 years later, give or take, and I picked up one of those compilation books with all 7 of the Chronicles inside it. I was so happy to find it and to actually have enough money for it! There had been no fewer than a dozen times I wanted to get that book and found myself short on cash.

I'm reading the books in the originally published order(LWW first!), and am currently on The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. I remember seeing part of the old BBC adaptation of this book years and years ago. 12 at least. But some of the imagery stuck with me good -- the idea of sailing beyond the known world really intrigued me, and I always wondered just what kinds of islands were beyond the Lone Isles(I'd read a map of Narnia once or twice -- let's just say my knowledge of Narnia was strange and blotchy).

I'm loving this series, but don't understand some things. In the first book, the Christian allegory is obvious. With Aslan, the Witch, and the stone table and all that. In the next two books(Prince Caspian, Voyage of the Dawn Treader) I'm not seeing it at all. They have Aslan, and make some references, but the events and characters don't seem to match up to anything Biblical that I know of. They're still an enjoyable read, and I'm eager to find out what happens to the Dawn Treader next.

I'm also eager to see the new movie coming out this Christmas. Am I the only one who finds it strange that Disney of all companies is behind this film? Given what I know of the company and some of its policies, I'd think Christian allegory would be the last endeaver they'd undertake. Oh, well. As long as they remain true to the books, I'll be happy.

And that is my current book report. It's nice to see an entire section here dedicated to books and reading.

[Piebald]

I've been reading the Chronicles of Narnia lately, and my goal is to finish all seven books, which I've never done before. Previously, I read A Horse and His Boy at age 11 or 12. I remember where I was sitting while I did it, and how old I had to have been to be in that particular place. I was at least 14 when I later read The Magician's Nephew, and immediately read part of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe only to lose interest(or lose the book -- I don't remember too clearly).

Well, it's about 10 years later, give or take, and I picked up one of those compilation books with all 7 of the Chronicles inside it. I was so happy to find it and to actually have enough money for it! There had been no fewer than a dozen times I wanted to get that book and found myself short on cash.

I'm reading the books in the originally published order(LWW first!), and am currently on The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. I remember seeing part of the old BBC adaptation of this book years and years ago. 12 at least. But some of the imagery stuck with me good -- the idea of sailing beyond the known world really intrigued me, and I always wondered just what kinds of islands were beyond the Lone Isles(I'd read a map of Narnia once or twice -- let's just say my knowledge of Narnia was strange and blotchy).

I'm loving this series, but don't understand some things. In the first book, the Christian allegory is obvious. With Aslan, the Witch, and the stone table and all that. In the next two books(Prince Caspian, Voyage of the Dawn Treader) I'm not seeing it at all. They have Aslan, and make some references, but the events and characters don't seem to match up to anything Biblical that I know of. They're still an enjoyable read, and I'm eager to find out what happens to the Dawn Treader next.

I'm also eager to see the new movie coming out this Christmas. Am I the only one who finds it strange that Disney of all companies is behind this film? Given what I know of the company and some of its policies, I'd think Christian allegory would be the last endeaver they'd undertake. Oh, well. As long as they remain true to the books, I'll be happy.

And that is my current book report. It's nice to see an entire section here dedicated to books and reading.
In the books after the first one (Wardrobe) there is less of a 1:1 correlation with biblical events. Instead he uses original stories to teach about Christian beliefs and values.

[Little Shepherd]

In the books after the first one (Wardrobe) there is less of a 1:1 correlation with biblical events. Instead he uses original stories to teach about Christian beliefs and values.
That certainly makes more sense. Still, I wish there was more direct allegory to point to. I think that kinda stuff's neat. "Aslan is just like Jesus! Look!" My favorite bit had to be when they mention some of Aslan's aspects. "He's good, but he's not safe." I mean, how much more profound can you get? That was my impression, anyway.

I'm not to the part where the Dawn Treader has reached the island with the Dufflepuds. No, I won't tell you guys what a Dufflepud is -- you gotta figure that out on your own. I'm not sure if they've named the island or not, but I'm guessing not. I love that part, when they name the new islands they discover. I don't know why that amuses me so, but it does. Well, I'm off to read more Narnia.

[momx3]

I've been reading the Chronicles of Narnia lately, and my goal is to finish all seven books, which I've never done before. Previously, I read A Horse and His Boy at age 11 or 12. I remember where I was sitting while I did it, and how old I had to have been to be in that particular place. I was at least 14 when I later read The Magician's Nephew, and immediately read part of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe only to lose interest(or lose the book -- I don't remember too clearly).

Well, it's about 10 years later, give or take, and I picked up one of those compilation books with all 7 of the Chronicles inside it. I was so happy to find it and to actually have enough money for it! There had been no fewer than a dozen times I wanted to get that book and found myself short on cash.

I'm reading the books in the originally published order(LWW first!), and am currently on The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. I remember seeing part of the old BBC adaptation of this book years and years ago. 12 at least. But some of the imagery stuck with me good -- the idea of sailing beyond the known world really intrigued me, and I always wondered just what kinds of islands were beyond the Lone Isles(I'd read a map of Narnia once or twice -- let's just say my knowledge of Narnia was strange and blotchy).

I'm loving this series, but don't understand some things. In the first book, the Christian allegory is obvious. With Aslan, the Witch, and the stone table and all that. In the next two books(Prince Caspian, Voyage of the Dawn Treader) I'm not seeing it at all. They have Aslan, and make some references, but the events and characters don't seem to match up to anything Biblical that I know of. They're still an enjoyable read, and I'm eager to find out what happens to the Dawn Treader next.

I'm also eager to see the new movie coming out this Christmas. Am I the only one who finds it strange that Disney of all companies is behind this film? Given what I know of the company and some of its policies, I'd think Christian allegory would be the last endeaver they'd undertake. Oh, well. As long as they remain true to the books, I'll be happy.

And that is my current book report. It's nice to see an entire section here dedicated to books and reading.
I am working with the middle school girl at my church on Sunday nights. We are listening to the books on CD. Eack book is read by a different person (Kenneth Branaugh-I loved him in "Much Ado About Nothing", Lynn Redgrave, Michael York, Alex Jennings, Derek Jacobi, Jeremy Northam, and Patrick Stewart). We are really loving it. The girls bring their own books to read as they listen and then we have a discussion time. It has been really good.

[Rubia Warren]

I've been reading The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe to my kids, a chapter a day. I don't want them to see the movie without having read/heard the book first! :eek:
We have had to look up some things that they didn't understand. Like what a Faun is- we had to google an image of one because they'd never heard of such a creature. It's interesting.

[sc_q_jayce]

I've been reading The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe to my kids, a chapter a day. I don't want them to see the movie without having read/heard the book first! :eek:
We have had to look up some things that they didn't understand. Like what a Faun is- we had to google an image of one because they'd never heard of such a creature. It's interesting.
Clearly your children aren't playing enough Role Playing Games. :)

Hmm... when's the last time I touched the Chronicles of Narnia? Originally, it had to be a loooong time ago. I only read the first three books (no Nephew) before I did something else. I wasn't a Christian, then, either, so I never saw the correlations until much later. I picked up the first book a few days before the movie came out to review for our Youth Group. What a fast read. It went faster than Hobbit, which took only portions of the day to read. :)

[Glass*Soul]

A few years ago, when I had more money than I do right now, I bought the Chronicles of Narnia in hardback. I've read them about once a year since then. (I do the same with The Lord of the Rings and Winnie the Pooh.) They're like comfort food for my brain. :lol:

[Smokering]

Whoa. Which of the books did Patrick Stewart read? I'd love to hear him doing 'The Last Battle', or 'Dawn Treader'...

[CallistoSeeking]

I thought TMN was the first one written? Anyway...

I first read the series back when I was probably...11? I loved it. I reread LWW a couple of times, actually...I had the little paperback books, and through moves and such, they became lost. With the making of the movie (and yeah,weird how Disney is behind it!!), they've become popular again, and now back in my parents' house, my youngest siblings are reading them.

I bought a nice hardcover collection of them for a friend for Christmas, because she'd never read them...and now I really want to read them all in order again soon. I love fantasy, and Lions are my favorite animals, hehe...
But obviously the allegory is great! And the stories in general, even if the rest aren't Biblical connections.

[Smokering]

LWW was written first. TMN was written... sixth?... can't remember. Later, anyway. Because it comes chronologically before LWW, in Narnian chronology that is, boxed sets usually put it as number 1 of 7. A small and seditious minority continues to put it at number 6 (or whatever), thus leading to one of the more useless CS Lewis academic debates since 'Did Lewis Really Write The Dark Tower?', which is at least spicy and interesting.

[CallistoSeeking]

Ah, I gotcha..thanx...I was wondering..and did CSLewis write what?? LOL oh goodness...as if.

Either way, I will read them how they were written then, when I re-read them hopefully soon. I loved the stories, they're def. a set of books that get me excited and interested, & that I don't want to put down... :)

~~Audrey~~

[Smokering]

Er, 'The Dark Tower' is a novel fragment, not the one you're thinking of. CS Lewis wrote a space trilogy (Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra (originally Voyage to Venus), and That Hideous Strength). They're good. Anyway after his death a bunch of half-written short stories were found, plus a few completed ones and a fragment of a book called 'The Dark Tower', which appeared to be a fourth in the space trilogy, only dealing with time travel. This fits in with a conversation held years previously between Tolkien and CSL, when they decided one would write a story about space, and one about time. Lewis kept his word--hence the space trilogy--but while most of Tolkien's work could be said to deal with time, none of his works were written specifically to fulfil their bargain, as far as we know. It's possible, then, that Lewis began writing the fourth book to do the job himself.

The short stories, finished and otherwise, and the 'Dark Tower' fragment are available in a collection (The Dark Tower and Other Stories, I think). Trouble is, since publication some scholars have cast doubt on the authenticity of DT as a work by Lewis. They argue that it isn't up to his usual standard of writing--basically, that it's not good enough to have been authored by him--and point to his one-time roommate and posthumous editor, Walter Hooper, as the author. Hooper allegedly rescued the Dark Tower manuscript from a bonfire. Claims have been made that as a bit of a Lewis fanboy (and who ain't?), Hooper decided to write a bit of fanfic himself and publish it under the Master's name.

Having read DT a LONG time ago, I can't remember any significant stylistic differences in the writing. It was obviously frustrating, being just the first chapter or so of the novel; and it wasn't stellar, but presumably it would have gotten more engaging as the novel went by. (One could argue that the first chapter of That Hideous Strength, taken alone, isn't such hot stuff either). Some have argued that it was just a first draft, but that's unlikely; Lewis tended to write in a very polished way and revise very little, so much so that some of his later books were simply written out once and sent off to be published!

Anyway, if you're interested in the debate, here's a Lewis-didn't site:
http://www.lindentree.org/proofs.html

[CallistoSeeking]

:rofl:z@herself Ohh..I was thinking the SK version..and that's right, Lewis did write a Space Trilogy..i've not yet read them. I'm going to read TCN first again, heh..

[Glass*Soul]

Smokering, I bow before your excellent C. S. Lewis fandom.

[semmie]

A few years ago, when I had more money than I do right now, I bought the Chronicles of Narnia in hardback. I've read them about once a year since then. (I do the same with The Lord of the Rings and Winnie the Pooh.) They're like comfort food for my brain. :lol:

well said! :thumb:

[CallistoSeeking]

actually..that is a good thing to do with a lot of books! I wish I made the time to do it, though!

[Little Shepherd]

Wow, it's so weird to see a long-dead thread of mine necroed like this. I suppose I could give you guys an update -- I finished the Chronicles of Narnia shortly after writing my last post in this thread. They were a really fast read.

[semmie]

i love narnia. :smile:

[Pilgrim]

I've been reading the Chronic(WHAT!)les of Nar ni a over and over again since probably about 1978.

Someone mentioned that they didn't know that The LWW was written first and they had last read the Chronicles of Narnia when they were eleven. I can only assume that was like last week! Just kidding. It's just that the current publishing tendency to have TMN first is a pretty recent thing.

[semmie]

the current publishing tendency to have TMN first is a pretty recent thing.
:yes:

a terrible decision, too...don't you think?

[Pilgrim]

Definitely. And it's all based on some passing comment that C.S. Lewis may or may not have made to a Lewis scholar. He was asked by the person if he didn't think it would be easier to read in chronological order. And Lewis replied that yes, it might be and he would look into having it published that way. (supposedly.) What many people think, knowing the person who asked, was the Lewis was being polite to simply get out of an awkward conversation.

[semmie]

Definitely. And it's all based on some passing comment that C.S. Lewis may or may not have made to a Lewis scholar. He was asked by the person if he didn't think it would be easier to read in chronological order. And Lewis replied that yes, it might be and he would look into having it published that way. (supposedly.) What many people think, knowing the person who asked, was the Lewis was being polite to simply get out of an awkward conversation.

that's really too bad.

i read them in the right order the first time (like, back in junior high). when i re-read them just a couple of years ago, i read them in the new published order, and i really didn't follow it as well. i don't understand how he did it, but the original order just makes sense to me.

but then...i'm a bit dyslexic, too. :shrug: oh well!

[Pilgrim]

that's really too bad.

i read them in the right order the first time (like, back in junior high). when i re-read them just a couple of years ago, i read them in the new published order, and i really didn't follow it as well. i don't understand how he did it, but the original order just makes sense to me.

but then...i'm a bit dyslexic, too. :shrug: oh well!
I think it works better in the order written because a sense of mystery is created. You don't know where this magical land came from and you don't know all of its history. Later on when the history of Jadis is revealed it all clicks in a neat way. But the mystery surrounding all of that in the first book adds to the magic of it all.

[Little Shepherd]

It'll probably be a long time before I read Narnia again. It was cool, but not read-it-every-year cool. In fact, I've never read a book that cool. :shrug:

[CallistoSeeking]

I've been reading the Chronic(WHAT!)les of Nar ni a over and over again since probably about 1978.

Someone mentioned that they didn't know that The LWW was written first and they had last read the Chronicles of Narnia when they were eleven. I can only assume that was like last week! Just kidding. It's just that the current publishing tendency to have TMN first is a pretty recent thing.

:lmbo: Hey..heh, no it wasn't "last week"..I actually had the paperback books, and they had TMN as #1, I'm pretty sure. And I'm nearly 26, heh. I'm not exactly sure when I read them though..I was trying to go by what house I was in, and therefore around when.

I haven't restarted them yet (over Christmas Season I bought a whole bunch of books, and am backed up like mad), but I will try to read them in the original order this time when I do.

It's always weird when people change things the authors of classics had done--to suit whatever, or what they THINK might've been what he/she really meant! Anyway..They are a fast read, I know that, & they're a set I want to read to my children as well...(when I get married and have children, heh).
~Audrey~