There is something quite intriguing and calming about entering the fantasy world of Narnia. ( )

I've only seen the Chronicles of Narnia movies and am so excited to finally dive into the books!

The Magician's Nephew is a delightful prequel to The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, making for a quick and enjoyable read.

C.S. Lewis whisks readers away on a magical adventure to witness the creation of Narnia. The story is filled with adventure, imagination, and themes of good versus evil. ( )

Having been introduced to the Chronicles of Narnia first by reading the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, I found this to be quite interesting in the foundation being laid for the remainder of the series. ( )

Btw, I'm trying to (re?) read these in publication order, and doing so because the last won a Carnegie and we're discussing the C.s in the Children's Books group.

I think I read only a few, maybe only Silver Chair, when I was a kid. This one I remember... but I think from young adulthood when my kids were little. Honestly, the others have not been holding up so well. This, otoh, is fun, funny, exciting, beautiful, and has values I can agree with (despite the fact that I'm an atheist).

I love the character of the Cabby, but that's all I can say w/out spoilery.

I think it's interesting that domesticated animals are referred to as "slaves."

"... what you see and hear depends a great deal on where you're standing: it also depends on what sort of person you are." ( )

Book 261 - CS Lewis - The Magician’s Nephew

Over the course of the next year I decided to return to the first franchise I came across growing up. The wonderful Chronicles of Narnia is an epic in every sense… witty…courageous and so full of truth.

It is interesting to note that this incredible creation of Narnia was written after most of the other books. Lewis stated many times that he wrote stories when he sees pictures and he then designed amazing tales around them. He didn’t always intend or know how many parts there would be.

As Diggory and Polly meet whilst playing in adjacent gardens, they are tricked into touching magic rings which takes them to the place between worlds. Diggory hopes he can find something to help his seriously ill mother. They find a bell that when struck releases a witch queen called Jadis. They accidentally bring her back to their world where she wrecks havoc. They are able to bring her back to the world they left along with a horse and his owner.

In the land they return to, Aslan is waking and creating the world. Jadis tries to kill Him with a piece of iron she ripped off a lamppost back in England. Interestingly it bounces off him harmlessly and buries itself in the ground, growing into a very famous lamp …but that is a story for another day. With a magical apple that Diggory is able to take back home to help his mother…we are also introduced to another link in the tales…a tree that when it is blown down in a storm is made into an incredible wardrobe.

It is such a special story… what is family ? Who do we trust ? How selfish are people ? And interestingly, a question I have been asking all the way through 2023 and now into, how people are so wrapped in what they believe is their own self-entitlement how will we ever begin to look out for each other and our world ?

Poignant…relevant and beautiful…can’t wait for Book 2 ( )