I’m finding myself very pleasantly surprised that I threw caution to the wind and started my planned reading of the Narnia series. I don’t know what exactly was holding me back, I just never seemed to be in the mood for it. But I’m really enjoying them now! As most of you know, there’s two different ways to read these books now…You can of course read them in their traditional order in which they were published or you can read them in this new order that someone decided that they should be put in (don’t know who). I bought my copies in a boxset that have numbers on the side of them that puts them in the new order, but I’m reading them in the original publication order, so it all gets a bit confusing as Prince Caspian is actually the second book published in the series, but the spine says “book 4″. I liked it well enough as book 2!
As Prince Caspian opens, Peter, Susan, Lucy and Edmund are about to board their train to go off to school when they are suddenly sucked back into Narnia. There they meet a dwarf who tells of a prince by the name of Caspian who is the nephew of Miraz, the current king of Narnia. It has been hundreds if not a thousand years since Peter and his siblings have last been in Narnia and all of the creatures that once inhabited it have seemingly disappeared, but Caspian still believes in them and wants to hear stories of them, but Miraz will have none of it! Caspian is only next in line as king because he has no direct heir. One day, Caspian learns that Miraz will soon have a son and that he will be king of Narnia. Knowing this and knowing that Miraz would have his head on a plate for believing in the old ways of Narnia, he flees and finds the old creatures of Narnia along his travels. He’s given Susan’s horn along the way that has the power to summon help when needed and with that, old Narnia awakens and a battle for the future of Narnia begins.
I really enjoyed this second volume of Narnia and I’m thrilled to see what’s to come in the rest of the books. What an amazing series and a nice surprise during this Once Upon a Time Challenge!
Speaking of the OUaT Challenge, After the first month, I’ve got 8 books down already! Much better than what I’ve originally planned. Although it’s obvious that I can’t stick to a list as 5 of them have been “bonus reads” and only 3 have actually been books that I signed up for. I guess I’m too much of a whimsical reader. But here’s what I’ve read so far:
1. The Blue Girl by Charles de Lint
2. Gifts by Ursula le Guin
3. The Book of Flying by Keith Miller
4. Tamsin by Peter Beagle
5. The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
6. Fables Volume 1: Legends in Exile by BIll Willingham
7. The Raven by John Lawson
8. Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis
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So I’m going to cower down in shame when I say that I have never read anything by C.S. Lewis. Yep, that’s right. But I do hope to rectify that at some point.
I’m glad you’re enjoying the series. I need to get back to it myself. I read the first four, but am stalled on the last three for some reason. Too many books calling to me I suppose. I’m really really looking forward to the movie.
I did check out the Book of Flying this week. I haven’t started it yet, but I’m sure to get to it soon. I hate to renew.
Great progress on OUT II
I’ve suddenly halted in my fantasyr eading. Needed a breather.
That sai,d I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the Prince Caspian movie will not stuck. I saw glimpses of Tilda Swinton in the trailer, so I will be there for her again.
Hurrah for Prince Caspian coming out in movie soon, hurray that you are reading so much fantasy, Chris! though I like how you put ‘your whimsical’ reading is gaining on the challenge reading! I’m stalled in the challenge since I had some other challenges to catch up on. It’s so fun when you revisit a series and like it as much as the first time you read it, isn’t it? there is something timeless about Narnia and the stories. I did read them all a few years ago (and way back as a child at least once), but seeing your reviews makes me think I might read them next year….see, I’m already compiling my TBR list for next year! Thanks!!!
By the way, I like the cover of your version alot.
As you know I haven’t read this series. And probably never will… along with another series that has always sounded so good to me but when it’s reviewed it seems it can’t be reviewed without saying “it’s a christian story”.. about dragons lol.. ah well.. I am glad for the warning I guess.. don’t like anything shoved down my throat..
of course i’ll be interested in your thoughts on Here There Be Dragons! I’ve read his book 2 also.. and his third book is “done”..well.. he finished the writing.. now it publishing time.
Ahh I haven’t read these in years! I remember The Magician’s Nephew being my favourite, but should probably give Caspian a reread seeing as the film is coming out soon!
As I’ve never read these before, and frankly don’t know squat about them, I guess I need to do a little research about this whole ‘order’ thing. Annie has them all in one enormous book, but I suspect that’s the new order…and I think I’d like to read the original order. If I’m not mistaken, Becky posted about this…so I’ll have to see if I can go find that post.
Anyway, congrats on racking up the reads for the OUaT! I’m not doing nearly as well as I’d hoped
But there’s still lots of time, right?
Hi there, Chris. I’ve had a Narnia boxset in my house for about 18 years. I actually began Lion/Witch/Wardrobe but — short though it is I didn’t finish it. For whatever reason. I’m not sure why. In the meantime though I kept reading every other CS nonfiction and fiction I could find. Really liked Til we have faces, The Pilgrim’s Regress, Screwtape Letters, That Hideous Strength. Also really loved a book he liked by George MacDonald, The Day Boy and The Night Girl. Which I really think you would love. Anyway, I think I might just finish reading the chronicles….they’re classics and there’s a sweetness to them. -C
SO happy to hear that you’re still enjoying Narnia. Caspian is a fabulous way to return to Narnia. It always thrilled me how much time passed there within a years span in our world.
Same with me re: keeping to my list for the OUaT challenge. It seems that the books other people are reading are far more attractive than my own. LOL.
I’ve just read a short story by Neil Gaiman called ‘The Problem with Susan’ based on what happens to Susan at the end of the Narnia books. I’d forgotten all of it. Plus, I have to admit that when I last read the series the religious thing went right over my head. Time for a reread I think as they were my favourite books as a young teenager.
I also had never read any cs lewis or the narnia books until this year. i am reading them in the “approved” order i guess, i just started pulling them from the library shelves by the spine number. So far they seem up and down for me but Caspian has been one of the better ones. Just finished Dawn Treader and i can’t decide if i liked it or not.
Congrats on doing so well on the challenge so far!
I have also been reading almost as many “extras” as books that were on my original list…I just can’t help it!
Ah well, I guess that what matters is reading good books. Plus there’s still 2 months to go!
List, schmist…who cares about sticking to lists!
You’ve certainly been outdoing yourself in your challenge reading, well done. I read the Narnia books in their new order but haven’t read the last couple of books. I have enjoyed the ones I did read though.
Hmmmm…..I keep saying one of the days I’m going to read the C. S. Lewis books, but I never do. I know the kiddies are really excited about seeing Prince Caspian in the theater though. Maybe after I’ve seen that one I’ll start.
You are doing so good on the OUaT challenge! I’m almost finished with Memory and Dream by Charles de Lint. It’s SO good!! It’s just not a quick little read. And try as I might, I just haven’t found the time to sit down and finish it.
Natasha, I’ve read a few of his non-fic books as well as his Narnia series now and I can say that I’ve enjoyed them all! So I hope that you do as well whenever you get around to them. Narnia especially is really great!
Becky, I’m looking forward to the movie now too! Too many books can definitely stall you on moving forward with a series. I have so many series on hold now because of that reason! Someone needs to do a “second book in a series challenge” :p *ahem*….I’m so glad that you checked out The Book of Flying!! I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did! It’s wonderful.
D-O, I seem to never need a break in fantasy reading…but then again, that’s really all I’ve ever read. It is nice to read something different every now and then though. I’m looking forward to the movie too and hope it’s good. Tilda Swinton fans unite!
Susan, Fantasy has pretty much been all I’ve ever read, so that’s no big deal :p I’m just surprised that I’m reading this much after the big reading slump that I’ve been in! I tend to read more around this time of the year though because I enjoy reading outdoors and the weather’s much nicer. I think you’ll enjoy rereading these if you decide too. They’re such great little books. And aren’t these covers great? I got them all in a boxset through Amazon at a really great price. Love them!
Deslily, To be honest with you, I didn’t see anything Christian at all in this book. My opinion with the Narnia series is that it’s only their if you’re looking for it. Same with His Dark Materials. If you’re going to dissect it and look for it, it’s there. The author’s put it there, but you don’t have to read it like that…it totally flew over my head if there was anything Christian in this book :p I’m only 50 pages into Here, There be Dragons and I’m LOVING it! Such a cool story!!! Why’d I wait so long to read it? lol…
Mariel, I can’t wait for the Caspian movie! You should give it a reread before the movie
I think everyone should! Looking forward to the rest of the series…Especially The Magician’s Nephew now! The title alone sounds very intriguing.
Debi, There’s TONS of time left..still two more months, so no need to worry! I’ve seen the big book that Annie has (at least I’ve seen some big book) and I’m not really sure what order that one is in. But if it starts with The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe then it’s the original order (which I recommend) if it starts with The Magician’s Nephew, then it’s the new order :/
Carole, Oh, I hope you go back to Narnia sometime! It really does get better…I promise
I haven’t read much else by him, but I have read The Four Loves and The Screwtape Letters and really enjoyed both of those. I’ve been wanting to read Til We Have Faces for ages. I’ll get around to it soon enough. He was such a great writer. I’ll definitely check out the MacDonald book…I’ve actually been wanting to read something of his!
Court, I know! I love fantasy stories where a character goes back to a world and a short time has passed in their world yet years have passed in the other. Loved it as a child and still love it now. This one was perfect. Looking forward to the next!
Cath, I have to admit that I just placed an order with Amazon of 6 books based on other people’s OUaT reviews :p I really can’t stick to a list! I’m having so much fun though, and that’s what matters, right? lol…I LOVE The Problem With Susan…I had completely forgotten about that story. I’ll have to go back and read it. Thanks for reminding me about it!!
Melanie, I’ve only done The Lion…and Prince Caspian so far and I’ve really enjoyed both…curious to see what I’ll think of the rest! I’m liking the original order though I’m curious to know what reading them in the other order is like.
Nymeth, I think I’ll finish all of my books in time for the end of the challenge…at least I hope so. Whether I do or not, I already completed the challenge I signed up for which was to read 5, so I’m safe! lol…I just can’t help it when I find all of these other great fantasy books! Your blog is no help :p Kidding of course, I love it!
Carl, Couldn’t agree more! I’ll end up finishing my list, I’m sure, but in the meantime I’m finding lots of other great books as well. As I told Melanie, I’m curious to see how the Narnia books would read in their new order, but I think I’m going to see them through in their original order for now.
Steph, Read them sometime! I think you’ll really enjoy them. I’m looking forward to the Caspian movie too. I really hope that it’s a good one. The good thing about these books is that they’re such quick reads. You can easily read them in a couple of hours. I’ve heard so many great things about Memory and Dream…That’s the thing with de Lint though, his books are not quick reads! I think I’m going to read another one soon though! I’m having withdrawals.
I absolutely love The Chronicles of Narnia. Glad you included them in the challenge. I’m a pretty moody reader, as well. But, it sounds like you’ve made good progress and then some.
Lisa, I’m loving them too! They weren’t originally included on my list, but I’m glad that I’m working them in there. They’re a very worthy addition. I’ve found that I’m more moody of a reader than I ever thought I was. Didn’t realize that until I started joining all of these challenges!
Chris:
George MacDonald is either very pious or very magical. I wouldn’t recommend reading his romances. Okay, a lot of folks like Phantastes and Lilith…I never read them. But I read some of his little love stories. Aaaaargh. Way too holy and pious. But the Day Boy and The Night Girl!!!!! Magical. Wonderful. At least I think so. A quick read, too.
Re: CS
Surprised by Joy, a grief observed. Wonderful! Read The Pilgrim’s Regress if you’re in a philosophical mood. You’ll read it smirking. -C
That’s lots of reading! I am away at the moment but apparently my copy of Tamsin arrived on Friday so will be waiting for me when I get home Monday. I hope you enjoy the rest of the Narnia series.
Rhinoa, I’m so glad that you got a copy of Tamsin!!! I think that you’re going to love it! Especially Mr. Cat…oh yes, you’ll love Mr. Cat
Can’t wait to hear your thoughts on it! And you’ve entirely beat me on your amount of fantasy reading…lol
In general, I just like reading the Narnia books in the original order. I’ve tried reading it both ways, and yes you end up reading the creation and the end of Narnia right next to each other, but I think it works just fine!
Kim, I’m definitely digging the original order as well and am glad that I decided to stick with reading them in that order. I mean, that’s how he wrote them after all, you’d think that’s how he wanted them read, right?
I think I read somewhere that C.S.Lewis said he wished he had written them in the order that they’ve changed it to, or something like that. So it’s chronological. But I read them in the original order, and that’s how I’ve always liked them best. My favorites are “Lion”, “Dawn Treader”, and “Magician’s Nephew”. My least favorites are probably “Last Battle” and “Silver Chair”, though I still love those.
I came here through Dewey’s Weekly Geek challenge.
J, Thanks for stopping by! I didn’t know that about Lewis, thanks for the info…I’ve yet to read them in the new order, but maybe in a couple of years I’ll go back and do that just to see what it’s like. Haven’t read The Dawn Treader or Magician’s Nephew yet but I’m looking forward to them!!
heya i have read all the books in the series of the chronicles of narnia. I am a complete fan of C.S. Lewis. He’s a lovely author!
I have seen the The lion, the witch and the wardrobe! It’s amazing.
I saw the trailer of their forthcoming Prince Caspian. I can’t wait to see it!! It’s great!!! It’s hitting the theaters on the 16th of may, 2008.
I am even waiting to see the voyage of the dawn treader.
ashii, I still haven’t seen Lion, but I’m really looking forward to it. Looking forward to Prince Caspian too. Looks like they’re doing a really good job with the movies so far and the fans seem to be pleased. All good news! Can’t wait to continue the series. Totally agree that he’s a great author. Thanks for stopping by!
I know what you mean about putting off reading the Narnia books, I never seem to be in the mood for it. I read them all as a child, and loved them, but have only got as far as the first book in a recent attempt to revisit.
Looking forward to the next film…the first one was decent. If you haven’t seen the BBC series though, I can wholeheartedly recommend that, definitely worth a watch.
Quix, I found that once I made the commitment and dove into them that I’m really enjoying them so far…much more than I thought I would! I haven’t seen the BBC versions yet…at least I don’t think that I have, so I’ll have to check them out…onto Netflix!
I’m all prideful sitting over here because I’ve read six for the Once Upon A Time II Challenge, and it isn’t even June yet (not to mention that I’m not normally a fantasy lover. Or, wasn’t, until you guys came along). I read Prince Caspian to my class this year, and they’ve marked it as one of their favorite books. Won’t it be fun to see the film May 16th? I had to get it into their heads before Disney interpreted it for them. If you liked this, you just read The Last Battle which I just completed. Awesome stuff, those Narnia Chronicles!
Go Bellezza for getting 6 read already!! You’re such an amazing teacher, you know that?
It’s great that you read Prince Caspian to the class and that they loved it so much. I’m hoping that the film is good…still haven’t seen Lion yet! But I’ll be getting it in the mail on Tues. from Netflix. I saw that you reviewed The Last Battle, but have to admit that I didn’t read it because I didn’t want anything given away :/ But I’ll read your review when I’m done, I promise!
I kept meaning to read this. I too have started reading but I”m reading in the new order, I think. Its one big volume. I really enjoyed the Magicians Nephew a lot.
have fun with the rest of them.
Sister Sassy, I definitely will! I hope that you enjoy reading the rest of them too. I think that no matter how you read them they’re great books
Timeless!