Hard to know what to say about this one, because it is so heavily colored with nostalgia for me, I can’t think of it critically or see it how an adult would for the first time. It’s a beloved series from my childhood, and this was the first book that introduced me to Narnia, that magical other land ruled by a benevolent speaking lion. The story starts with four children, siblings who have been sent out to the countryside to be safe from the bombings in London (WWII). They’re staying in a big old house and one day the youngest, Lucy, steps into a large wardrobe to hide. She’s completely surprised to find that it leads into another land entirely, where she meets a faun and talking beasts. She’s excited to tell her brothers and sister about this place, but at first they don’t believe her (and Edmund is particularly mean about it). But eventually all the children go through the wardrobe, and their adventures begin. Narnia is under a curse from a witch, who set herself up as ruler and makes it always winter (but never Christmas). There are rumors that the lion Aslan is returning to set things right, so the animals the children meet are hopeful for a change. But Edmund is beguiled by the witch, and temporarily turns traitor. With his life at stake, the children are drawn intricately into the battle between good and evil. (Honestly, the battle scenes tired me just as much this time around as in any reading of my youth). The rest of it was as delightful (and solemn by turns) as I recall. Aslan (the lion) makes what looks like the ultimate sacrifice for Edmund, but instead of this allowing the witch to gain full power as she desires, it turns everything around with renewal. Really heavy on the Christian symbolism, no surprise.

I find myself running out of words, here. I just enjoyed it all over again- the hush and cold of winter, the loveliness of sudden spring, the children’s joy in their beloved lion, their little petty squabbles and making up again. The only part that really struck me as odd, was how formally the children spoke near the end of the book, when they had grown into adults in the magical land. Future books set in Narnia don’t have the characters talking in that overly formal way, if I recall. I suppose I’ll find out soon enough, because I’m going to continue, re-read the whole series. ( )

A classic fairy tale that is fun, imaginative, exciting and uplifting. This book is an easy read, captivating and entertaining for all ages. I love that the king of Narnia, the hope of deliverance for all creatures, is a lion―the depiction of strength, power, and ferocity. Yet he was the most compassionate and sacrificing individual in the story. It is a touching tale. ( )

I don't know how I'd never managed to read this one..but somehow I hadn't. it was a great read even as an adult and even after having seen the movie 1/2 dozen times. I loved the little side notes that are in the text from the author. they had me cracking up. ( )

Novels were not a part of my life until my mid teens and therefore I missed out wonderful reading experiences like the Chronicles of Narnia but while I wish I had read more as a child I am having an absolute ball catching up on all these enchanting books when I can appreciate them on a different level

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The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe is a compelling story that is both enchanting and filled with fantasy and adventure and I think can be appreciated by both adults and children alike.

Writen by C.S. Lewis in 1950 for his god daughter Lucy, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe is part of a book series which is known as The Chronicles of Narnia. Set in England during the Second World War and tells the story of four children who are sent to the country to stay with a wealthy, eccentric professor in large county house. While playing hide and seek in the many rooms of the house on a rainy day one of the children discover a Wardrobe and the fantasy and adventure begins.

Beautifully written, intriguing even for someone like me with a low tolerance for fantasy. I was charmed with the setting, the atmosphere and the wonderful complex and charming characters I met along the way. I loved the themes explored in the novel and really enjoyed the reading experience as an adult. ( )

Such great memories brought up reading this book, I had never read it on my own but my brother had read it to me when I was younger. ( )