The Chronicles of Narnia?

[Lhuntidomion]

Anyone read these? They might be classified as "children's books" but hey!! A book is a book is a book. Did anyone like these. The author is a very close friend of Tolkien you know! C.S. Lewis!!

[Catz]

i have to say "the Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe" is my favourite of them all.........a ittle heavy handed with the christian metaphors, but a wonderful read nonetheless.......i defy anyone not to get totally caught up when the witch is sacrificing Aslan........and theyre not really childrens books alone...........besides, the mark of a good childrens book is that it can be read by anyone, and enjoyed.
:catz:

[Lalaith]

:grin: :grin: Oooooh!:grin: :grin:

I absolutely and utterly adored those books when I was younger - I even admit to re-reading them most years! I discovered Narnia long before I ever knew of the existence of that chap Tolkien... lol In fact, it was Narnia that led me to the Hobbit...

"The Magician's Nephew", "The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe", "The Horse and His Boy", "Prince Caspian", "The Voyage of the Dawntreader", "The Silver Chair" and "The Last Battle" - is that all of them? (Kinda going on memory here...)

All of the books are gripping in their own way - and it is quite amusing to think that JRRT did not really rate them that highly because Lewis mix-n-matched so many myths and traditions. (Father Christmas, Greek Gods, Classical beasts, etc) without a second thought. The over-riding theme is, of course, Christianity - and the Christian Faith can be traced through these books. CS Lewis wrote a great many theological books - but his faith is equally evident in these 'children's' books...

I must admit to having a slight jealousy of the Pevensie children - I wanted to be a Queen in Narnia!! lol Come on, own up - did anyone else ever try to find Narnia?


Or was that just me? :blush:

[Little Devil]

Yes! I loved those books, they were so amazing a totally different magical word, I always tried it with the wadrobe to see if I could get to Narnia when I was younger. Never worked though lol

[Sindarin]

Interesting, Little Devil. I was the same as well during my younger years. lol

I recall attempting to try and journey to Narnia via my wardrobe also on more than one occassion. lol

Indeed, those were fantastic books. :thumbs:

[SindarinGirl]

Guilty of the same, I'd sit with my hand on the doorknob of the closet, and concentrate reeeeaaaalllyyyy hard......

[Bonos-Girl]

hmm..it seems like i was the only one to not try that! lol

i have all the books but i also have a book of 3 or 4 of them together....they were the only ones i read :elfeek:. it had "the magicians nephew" (the one wioth the rings right?) and "the lion, the witch.... "can't remember what else....

[Evenstar]

oh I remember them! I haven't read them for ages... weird when i did the Lion the witch etc for my drama exam!

i thought the horse and his boy was reallt boring though! did anyone else think that? my favourite was the last battle.

[Emrenell Laicrist]

I love those books, they're so imaginative! Love fantasy!
I'd have to say, Prince Caspian, Voyage of the Dawn Treader, and The Last Battle are my favorites. :)

Just gotta love those dufflepuds! lol

[Little Devil]

I was going to do a piece from the Horse and his Boy for my drama acting, think it was the girl like the princess in the book I can't remember her name, but I didn't like the part. ;)

[Nameless Eye]

I love those books so much! So filled with fantasy and the Last Battle really suprised me! I love most fantasy books that take place mostly in a world unlike ours! In the map i noticed these two places: Ettinsmoor (like Ettenmoors in LotR) and Terebinthia (like Terebithia). Is that a coincidence or what? Although i could figure it out by checking out the copyright but I am just too lazy!

[Lhuntidomion]

they're making a movie!!!!! a movie!! you can see it http://narnia.com/movie/index.htm who do you think should play the actors?

[Emrenell Laicrist]

This only has a little bit to do with Narnia, but on X-men Evolution last night the title of the episode was, The Toad, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. I found rather amusing. :p

[Lhuntidomion]

uhhhh...................

[Emrenell Laicrist]

*blinks* Oh sorry. lol

But yeah... anyway....

I didn't like the end of The Last Battle, because I didn't want the books to end. I wanted more!! lol

[Lhuntidomion]

Yeah. can't decide if it was a happy or sad ending. The Pevensies died but it seems they were happier dead and living with Aslan.

[Lalaith]

I thought that it was a happy ending, to be honest. I loved the thought that all of the Chronicles of Narnia, had simply been the precursor to a greater story... The oddest thing, though, was what happened to Susan! It seemed that, because she grew up and became interested in nylons and lipstick, she was no longer part of it. I found that aspect very sad...

[Emrenell Laicrist]

Yeah, the fact that Susan grew out of believing Narnia was real is rather sad. :(

[Gwaihir]

The Narnia Chronicles are great! :grin: I love it almost as much as LotR! It can't be ignored that C.S. Lewis was a great friend of Tolkien, and a devoted Christian.

The whole Chronicles is based on Christianity. Aslan the Lion is Jesus Christ. It is obvious because he was crucified in the first book but was resurrected, and in the very end the old world was no more, Aslan came back, and there was the new heaven and earth. (sorry If you think i'm religious) Personally I think that these books are NOT children's books at all.

[Lhuntidomion]

Yeah The Chronicles are awesome. Did anyone go to the website?

[Nessa the Dancer]

I loved the Narnia books - The Silver Chair has always been my favourite - gotta just love those Marsh Wiggles! The Horse and his Boy would be the next - The way Avaris and Shasta interact is so entertaining!
I never really go with the Dawn Trader one very well, I didn't really like Caspian very much in that one.
The Last Battle I didn't like the start of it, but it got better as it went on - and then it got to the bit with the shed door, that everybody was being pushed through - the story kinda lost me there....
in fact it was only a few years ago when I was reading through the Last Battle again, that I suddenly understood what it was all about and it was okay after that.

[Arninquelote]

I'd agree Gwaihir. Essentially both LOTR and the Chronicles of Narnia are morality tales. They are wonderful books and beautifully written.

[Estell]

mecry I sobbed when my mom (who read it to me) got to the part where the witch shaves off Aslan's mane and I wouldn't let her read any more till she told me how it ended.:witch: Yeah, I hated the witch. I was about three at the time.:hmppf:

[Dernhelm]

My 10 year old daughter is reading that instead of Harry Potter. I've not read it myself, but I would like to some day.

[Brin]

Somebody gave me The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe when I was nine, I read that one. I immediatly fell in love with it and had to read all of the others. I don't have just one favorite in the series, but several: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, The Dawn Treader, The Magician's Nephew, and The Last Battle. Probably The Horse and His Boy was my least favorite. I think because it wasn't taking place in Narnia.

[Lhuntidomion]

I loved The Horse and it's Boy. Because of what you said Brin.
It's not in Narnia, it's in Calormene and it's the only one besides Daw Treader that takes place in another land. Plus you get to see what kind of rulers the Pevensies were.

[Brin]

I did like the horse and his boy, but I don't remember it too well. It was a very long time ago, that I read it as a kid. I remember being disappointed that the story wasn't about Lucy, Edmund, Susan, and Peter, because I was so fond of these characters, and the land of Narnia of course.

You bring up a good point, though that it took place in a neighboring land. That did add interest.

What I loved about the Dawn Treader was the grand adventure. There were so many different things that happened to them on the voyage and on the different islands they visited. Not to mention the climax, at least for me, was visiting Aslan's home.

[Mánalinya]

My grandparents gave me the Chronicles of Narnia when I was 5, and my mom and I read them together. I've always loved them. Yes, I did try to get into Narnia myself, more than once.
My favorite books are The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. I never liked the Last Battle, except for the VERY end, when they're all happy with Aslan.

[Mithrandir]

C.S. Lewis work...
I havent read this book but I may want to read it have any of you buddies read it? and if you did, do you have to read the first book in order to know whats going on and would you recommend me the book?

Tks

[Elfdaughter]

Heya! Yeah, I read them ages ago! OK, well you do know that the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is NOt the first book, don't you? it's the Magician's Nephew. No, you don't really have to read the first one to understand what's happening. Which one are you thinking of starting with?

Yeah, it's a well written series, and I would recommend them to you.

[Gwaihir]

The Chronicles of Narnia is a must-read, Mithrandir! You couldn't possibly miss the works of a man who was a good friend of J.R.R. Tolkien's!

[Mithrandir]

ok ive made up my mind and decided to spend 20 bucks and buy the edition that brings all of the 7 books in it :grin: lol ;) :rolleyes:

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?userid=ZYw1bFRbCC&isbn=0066238501&itm=2 ;)

[Elfdaughter]

Ooh, nice version! I promise you, you'll like these books!

[Mithrandir]

I bought it today :grin: :grin: :grin:
I bought the one with all the seven books in it Im going to start reading it prob this week ;) :grin: :)

Tks for the recommendation! ;)

[Mithrandir]

Oh this book is awesome, Im like on pg 35 and I cant stop reading it!!!
Is awesome with the green and yellow rings and...well you have to find out for yourself

So far is really good ;) :grin:

[Elfdaughter]

lol... I've seen that version before - it's good, isn't it? Which one are you reading? The Magician's Nephew?

[Mithrandir]

wow that was fast lol lol lol
yea now Im reading The Magician's Nephew and Diggory is courageous ;)
One more time tks for the recommendation I cant stop reading!! :mmmm: :rolleyes: lol :grin:

[Evenstar]

they were some of the first books I ever read! :grin: My favourite is voyage of the Dawn treader, or the Last Battle.

[Elfdaughter]

Oh, the last Battle! I love that! Grr... I have to get the books again - I did have some really nice leather bound versions, but they went missing. Hmph.

Did anyone see the TV series?

[Tar-Vanimelde]

Not me, I didn't know there was one :elfeek:

Ah, I adore these books, haven't read them in ages... I should find them again and reread ;)

#Vani

[Miriel Baggins]

Yeah, I saw the series when I was a lot younger. I don't know if I saw all of them, though. Didn't they mix a few of the books? Well, from what I remember, it was AWFUL. pfbbt

But, I LOVE the books!!! The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader were my favorites. But I loved all of them. My collection of them is a set of all seven separate books, paperback. They're all worn out and ripping up, but I'm still using them. :grin:

Which one are you on, Mithrandir? Aren't they great?! :thumbs:

[King Elessar]

I've read them. they really are quite good. the Tv show wasn't that great and neither are the cassetes.

[Elfdaughter]

Umm...NO...they didn't mix them.... you ARE thinking of the ones which I've used screenshots from, aren't you? (The 1989 BBC version - take a look at the photo forum for the piccies I've done with the screenshots) I mean, I read the books first, and fell in love with those, and then the TV series - and I fell in love with Aslan from those.

(And I'm sorry, but I'll defend the TV series to the death. They were the trues to the books I've ever seen a film to be, the special effects were great for the 80s, and the entire series was just magical. I could never really associate with Aslan from the books, but the Aslan in the series just wowed me. Plus it brings back really happy memories of the entire family sitting down on sunday afternoons, having tea in front of the TV (it was the only time we were EVER allowed to eat in front of the TV, and in those days, we only had the one tv), and we had our Sunday tea spread out on the round brass table that my mum usually only kept for special occasions, and we'd have crumpets and scones etc...so yeah, I'll defend the series to the death.)

I'll agree with the cassettes though - they weren't great - loads was missed out from the books in those.

*ED giggles* See, Miriel, that's why I've got the leather-bound, hardback ones....;)

[Heart-of-a-Hobbit]

I've always loved the Chronicles of Narnia, my mom read them to me when I was 6. I've read them many many times since then...I was a Narnian before I knew of Elves and Hobbits. lol Elfdaughter, I loved the BBC series too!!! Their Aslan was the GREATEST!!! Although I'm looking forward to the new movie series that's coming out. Here's a great link for everyone who wants to know about Narnia (come and join the forums there!) www.narniafans.com. I'm a member in the forums and my name there is Between_the_Worlds.

[White Lady of Rohan]

They're great books. I've read them a couple of times. Did you know that Tolkien didn't approve of C.S. Lewis' writing? :o

[Tar-Vanimelde]

cause of the religion? I think I heard something about that

#Vani

[Sweet Angel of Mercy]

I love the Chronicles! I've read the first like, three times. Yippee, they are making a movie! Ya know, there were movies made of them before, but we watched them before I had read any of the books other than Lion/Witch/Wardrobe. Good thing though, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to enjoy the books first!

[Miriel Baggins]

They're great books. I've read them a couple of times. Did you know that Tolkien didn't approve of C.S. Lewis' writing? I had heard that. Was it just because Tolkien hated allegory, and that's basically what the CoN are? That's what I'd always thought. Well, I think it's rather priggish of him to have publicly announced that, whereas Lewis applauded LR. verymad Well, I guess an honest friend is the best sort, anyways....

Ya know, there were movies made of them before, but we watched them before I had read any of the books other than Lion/Witch/Wardrobe. Good thing though, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to enjoy the books first! Do you mean the BBC ones? I saw a couple of them and really hated them. What did you think?

[Sweet Angel of Mercy]

Yeah, probably BBC. I sorta goofed on that post. I meant to say "but we watched them before I had read any of the books other than Lion/Witch/Wardrobe, so I didn't pay much attention to the others."
I like the first one though, I think. Been so long since I've seen it...

[Ithildiel Noldoran]

I'm just now reading Narnia- already in the 3rd book and I just bought all 7 of them yesterday!! :) I like it a lot, it's...well, a fairytale and I really can't wait for the films!!! :grin:

[Tar-Vanimelde]

I didn't know they were going to be made...or the Dark Materials trilogy, either, and I'm psyched...though I'm also a bit worried...I'm SUCH a fan of the books, what if they mess them up in the movies?

#Vani

[Lady of the Rings]

I was so excited when I heard they were going to be making these movies! :grin: I'm worried about them as well though. I mean, for those who have read them countless times, they have clear images of what the characters look like, and what the scenes should be like; what if they don't do justice for CoN? I guess we just have to wait and see. Hopefully they'll do a wonderful job just like PJ did with LOTR ;) :thumbs:

I could never really associate with Aslan from the books

Wow! Really? I've always loved Aslan from the books! I hope they depict him the same in the movies.

[Gwaihir]

Same with me, Lady. I love Aslan! He is the greatest and most important character in the Chronicles. Every single book has him in it.

[Tar-Vanimelde]

I liked him best in the horse and his boy...... and are they making every book into a movie, or just the lion, the witch and the wardrobe? I really hope they do them all :p

#Vani

[Lady of the Rings]

Yeh, good question! I hope they turn the whole series into movies, depending, of course, on how well the first one does ;)

He is the greatest and most important character in the Chronicles
I second that! The altar scene, in the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe always has me in tears. Aslan is just a beautiful character :thumbs:

[Friend of Maglor]

Ya lol depicting the living image of God on earth is a pretty big job for a movie maker to take on. I always wanted to turn around and see Aslan and just hug him and stay there and never never have to go back to reality *sigh* guess I'll just have to wait ;) I love the old movies (with REAL children lol) :( ok ok the effects were terrible, but they really captured the spirit of the books, and the music was out of the world!!!!

But ya, CS is totally on par with his pal JRRT as far as I am concerned ;) he is my constant inspiration......and ya JRRT said (in a letter Eriu ;) it wasn't published till they both died, and they were very critical of one another, CS dinna like JR's poetry lol) he didn't like them.....it wasn't about allegory tho, Narnia isnt allegorical *sighs becasue she will go into a long winded explanation of what it is so decided not to unles requested lol* it was a mixture of him thinking that they were flippant, and cause CS wrote one a year! lol

[robes]

I am always blown away by the fact that they were chums. What was the difference in their ages?

"Did you know that Tolkien didn't approve of C.S. Lewis' writing?" -- I was not aware of that... tell me more.

[Aragorn Isildur]

I've just reread these over the last week and I still love them! And I agree, the BBC series was brilliant, always reminds me of dark winter nights on a Sunday. And the music...:grin:

Aragorn :king:

[Elfdaughter]

Wow! Really? I've always loved Aslan from the books! I hope they depict him the same in the movies.


I think the scene in TLTWATW where Aslan plays with the children kind of ruined him for me in the boooks. And the fact that he walks like a human.

[Tar-Vanimelde]

he does???? ewwwness! no no no, he's a lion!

#Vani

[Elfdaughter]

EXACTLY! That's my point!! He even sits on a throne at one stage.

[Tar-Vanimelde]

well piffle on that nonsense, CS Lewis, you strange person, lions don't do that. half the point was that he wasn't human, at least in my mind. i need to reread....

#Vani

[Elfdaughter]

That's why I love the BBC version so much - he WAS lion-like!! There's quite a few bits in the book that get my hackles up ('scuse the expression...) - like he knights Peter by taking hold of the sword....how? Lions don't have opposable thumbs!!

[Mánalinya]

Well, I assumed that he took the sword in his mouth :huh:. And as for sitting on the thrown, well, I figured he'd sit like a dog would (you know, when you tell it to "sit!").

I love book Aslan! I never got the impression that Aslan was behaving in an unlion-ish kind of way (aside from the fact that he talks, hehe). But that's just me.

[Bria]

yah, the way the animals carried stuff and all was kind of puzzling, but it was a great story. It was so easy to read and since i'v seen the movie it was easy to picture. As I read allong I got into all the symbolisms of how Aslan represents Jesus in a way. It was great I don't know why I didn't read the books sooner.:read:

[Periantari Andruil]

I'm reading Narnia right now actually...got very inspired after watching Narnia twice in the theaters. ;) (and overplaying the soundtrack almost every night ;) )

I reread the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and must say that i think the movie did a very great job in adaptation and even enhanced the book very much so.

Lewis writes really for children though and i can see that the appeal of the books lie in the simplicity and the very lovely description it has of those very unique fairy creatures.

I'm going to read all of these books soon....i bought the one volume of all 7 unabridged stories and can't wait to finish all so i can write more about them. :) :thumbs:

[Bria]

I'm almost through all the books!!..I'm on "The Silver Chair" right now. I love "The Horse and His Boy" that was my favorites so far!

[Nessa the Dancer]

Wow I'm exactly the same The Horse and his Boy and The Silver Chair are my favourites from the series.

The Horse and his Boy because it is set in the reign of the kings and queens and I like the idea of the everlasting Narnia in the Golden Age and the ending makes me cry for some reason. and the Silver Chair because I love the Marsh Wiggle and Jill and Eustace's roles are excellent and I like the whole thing with the chair.

[Gwaihir]

I really should start reading over those books again... I've forgotten so much! But I remember that "The Silver Chair" is my very favorite, and I also like "The Horse and His Boy".

"The Last Battle" was a bit hard to grasp at first, but then it's a very beautiful ending if you understand. Many of my friends were pretty confused by the ending and thought that it was sad! It's pretty allegorical.

[Dunedain Poet]

I've only read one book from the series and that was "The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe," and that was when I was 11. :blush: I remembered I loved it though.

Though I've been meaning to read the entire series recently. I just need to find myself a copy of all seven books now. :)

[Nessa the Dancer]

Gwaihir yes I read The Last Battle quite a few times before I actually really 'got' the ending and it was such wonderful "so that is what it's about kind of feeling.

Dunedain Poet I recomend that you read all the books in series if you can.

[Dunedain Poet]

Nessa I thank you for the recommandation. :)

I finally managed to get all seven books in a handy unabridged collection the other day at Barns and Noble for a decent price. I've all ready started glancing at The Magican's Newphew and I am slowly going to make my way through it as I find the time away from my classes.

For the record, even though I am only a few pages in, I am all ready enjoying it. I can't wait to read the rest. ;)