Customer Reviews

The Chronicles of Narnia Full-Color Oversize Gift Edition Box Set: The Magician's Nephew; The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

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1 star:		(1)

 

 

In recent years, there has been some confusion about which of the Chronicles of Narnia is really first in the series. Is it "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," which was the first as Lewis wrote the series? Or is it "Magician's Nephew," which occurs years before any of the other Narnia adventures?

So consider this boxed set a starting point for the series -- it contains both novels together. Whatever order they should be read in, readers can take in the first adventures in Narnia, and find out about the origins of this magical alternate world.

"The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe" opens as four children (Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter) are being shipped to the English countryside at the beginning of World War II, to avoid blitzing in London. While exploring the vast house where they are staying, Lucy accidently ventures into a winter-locked world called Narnia, which is ruled over by the evil White Witch.

Edmund also wanders through, but his spiteful nature shows when he falls in league with the White Witch. Lucy leads the others into Narnia as the cold weather starts to thaw -- which, as some talking beavers reveal, means that the god-king Aslan is going to return. But victory against the White Witch might mean a greater sacrifice than any of the children realize.

"The Magician's Nephew" happens several years before the events of the other book. Young Digory is staying with his weird uncle, because his ill mother is dying. To distract him, his new friend Polly takes him exploring -- and they end up stumbling into Uncle Andrew's lab. The cowardly magician uses them as guinea pigs, sending them into a forest that links various worlds together.

Now in a dying world, the two children stumble into an ancient, powerful queen, Jadis. She follows them into 1800s London, and proceeds to turn the city upside down before the kids can whisk her back out of it. But her world has already collapsed, and so they take her into a world that is just beginning -- the land of Narnia.

Which book should come first depends partly on how readers like things to be revealed -- if you prefer mystery and suspense, read "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" first, and if you prefer to know all the backstory and explanations as the series unfolds, read "Magician's Nephew first."

Either way, both of these books are imaginative, intelligent fantasies -- all the more so when you realize that when Lewis wrote them, there were no "alternate world" fantasies as we know them today. He pioneered this type of fantasy writing, as his pal J.R.R. Tolkien pioneered the sort of "Lord of the Rings" style fantasies.

If you don't like allegory (religious or otherwise), then steer clear of the Chronicles. While Lewis's beliefs are presented in a more complicated and subtle manner in his other fictional works, here the parallels to basic Christian beliefs are very obvious, like Jadis' apple and Aslan's sacrifice. Even Tolkien, one of Lewis's best pals, found the allegory annoying.

But Lewis's world is enchanting, and "Magician's Nephew" takes a humorous bent when the talking animals try to figure out what Uncle Andrew is. We're introduced to evil witches, talking beavers, fauns, living trees, giants, and a "wood between the worlds" (a nod to William Morris?) that links all the various universes together. His writing can be cute and precious, or awe-inspiring and majestic.

For an introduction to the Narnia Chronicles, these two books are essential. Whether you read the first one Lewis wrote, or the first chronological book, they are enchanting fantasy classics.

I did not realize I was ordering only the first two books in the Narnia series. I found the set attractive and used the same illustrations etc. as the original. But when I got the set, I thought I was getting the full set of all the volumns, not just the first two.

Bill

I guess I got my $'s worth. BUT, BUT, BUT I was misled. From what I read of the offering, I thought I was buying the CHRONICLES OF NARNIA, which, as you know, = 7 books. This offer gives you only the first 2 books.

LOved it the moment I saw it; however, can not find the rest of these lovely stories in the same type of hardcovers. Does anyone know if they are coming out soon?> Seriously...

"Chronicles of Narnia" by C.S. Lewis

Author C. S. Lewis has written a series enchanting for adults and children alike. We follow the adventures of children as they enter into the amazing world of Narnia. Narnia is inhabited by animals that can talk, and an amazing assortment of mythological creatures that delight and fascinate.

At the center of all of these dramas, the conflict between good and evil, doubt and faith, despair and hope predominates. After entering into the wonderous new realm, the children assume a new identity. They learn that in Narnia, they are regarded by all the creatures of Narnia as the Sons of Adam, and the Daughters of Eve.

From the first, the children enter into the new identity cautiously, struggling with the impulse to run away from all troubles and leave the Narnian creatures to their own fate. However, as the story progresses, the Narnians enchant them with their loving nature, and soon the struggles of the Narnian creatures become the passion of the children.

Through the progression of the stories, a wondrous sense of purpose is awakened in the hearts of the children. They no longer feel outside of life, nor do they feel that adults are responsible for everything. Each child takes up a weapon in Narnia, a weapon suitable to their individual nature.

With each new adventure, the children learn that evil is seldom far, and that courage must always be embraced in the fight to assure the outcome of the good, in these adventures in the forests, on the plains, upon the sea, and in the mountains of marvelous Narnia.

C. S. Lewis has written a series of tales that can be compared to the books of J.R.R. Tolkien. Both authors address the issue of the unawakened self as it assumes a vital role, as it begins to engage in life. Both authors demonstrate a simple fact, a fact that can be found in even the simplest folk tales of "Uncle Remus" who tells us: "No sir, you just cain't run from trouble!"

Generations of children and adults are indebted to C. S. Lewis for his stories, and they have warmed many a heart, and coaxed us through the periods of tedium that arise from time to time. These books renew our awareness of purpose, and inspire us with the idea that there is more to Life than meets the eye. There is wonder, adventure, and new purpose with every book.

Very much recommended. Absolutely Five Stars.

I read the Chronicles of Narnia to my children when their grandmother recommended the series. Now my children are reading these books aloud to their own little ones. These are timeless stories of right and wrong, repentance and change, excitement and fantasy. I heartily recommend these books to everyone, every age: read them to yourself or read them aloud to someone you love.

My grandson had just seen "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" and he was thrilled with these books. I plan on buying more additions!

I was looking for nicely illustrated, hardback Narnia books. I was a bit disappointed to find that while the artwork is in color, it is tiny. In fact, it couldn't be much smaller or you'd never be able to see any details at all. fortunately, my four year old is really good at just sitting and listening to someone read to her, so she's enjoying the books, anyway.

I have not known these books until now and I am almost 60. I do enjoy this type like the Harry Potter also. I am wondering why the book I have that was printed in 1970 states it is Book 6. The order on the back cover is in order as follows: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe/ Prince Caspian/ The Voyage of the Dawn Treader/ The Silver Chair/ The orse and His boy/ The Magician's Nephew/ The Last Battle/////
Just wondering what the true order is supposed to be??? At any rate I am enjoying them.

Quoting from the copyright page: For the first time this book is available with full-color complete interior illustrations by Pauline Baynes. Wow, all I was looking for was the Puffin B&W complete illustrations! Peeking into the book I see blank spaces where illustrations ought to be, but it says *some* illustrations are not shown, so I feel sure they are there & complete. If there are actual numbers on these, I can't see them in the picture, though this looks like one & two, so chronological rather than publishing sequence.