The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - CS Lewis

Published in an omnibus edition with the full Chronicles of Narnia series: "The Magician's Nephew"; "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe"; "The Horse and His Boy"; "Prince Caspian"; "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader"; "The Silver Chair"; "The Last Battle", by Harper Collins Publishers: Hammersmith, London, 2010. Originally published 1950.

 The classic children's book in a lot of ways, The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe has been a source of joy for children - and an interesting discussion on the level of allegory for adults - since it was first published in 1950. The Pevensie children (Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy) find themselves journeying through the titular wardrobe into Narnia, a world full of talking animals, mythological creatures and "deities", ruled over by a witch and locked in an eternal winter. While there, they witness the return of Aslan - the Christ-equivalent of Narnia - a lion who lays down his life to break the power of the witch and save (particularly) Edmund, before returning from the dead to defeat evil and usher in the age of the kings and queens.

The Narnia series is interesting because it is quite content to remain children's literature, while also taking on some heavy themes. This book more than any other (probably because it was the first) has very clear allusions to Christianity, which Aslan's death and resurrection being the most obvious. But smaller touches also contain a lot of truth to ponder on, such as when the children (having not met Aslan, but realising he is a lion) ask whether Aslan is "safe". The reply, given by Mr Beaver, has always stuck with me: "Safe?...Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good." (page 146)

I enjoy this book a lot, and it is a good one for younger readers as well.

Completed with Elise, 12 August 2019.

(Elise Books)


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