Customer Reviews

The Horse and His Boy (Radio Theatre)

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Ok, before you even bother reading my review, buy the book (I'll wait here).

I hope you bought it. If you haven't, let me tell you why you should: The Horse And His Boy is an outstanding story. And that's not all-you can read it without having read any of the other Narnia books; not that you'd want to do that. All the Narnia books are wonderful.

The Horse And His Boy follows the adventures of Bree (a talking horse) and Shasta (a slave boy) who run away from their masters and journey to the magical land of Narnia. Along the way they meet a nobleman's daughter, another talking horse, a king and a queen, and a very special Lion (he's not a tame lion you know).

I love this book. I love all the Narnia books. C.S. Lewis is a great writer (now in glory). However, heed this warning: this book is only for children and those adults who are old enough to love fairy tales again. I hope that means you.

Of C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia, "The Horse And His Boy" is probably my favorite. Venturing into exotic locations, with a likeable cast and a good thriller format, this is a pretty cool fantasy that gives some insights into what the cast of "Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" were doing during that time before they returned home.

Shasta is the son of a poor fisherman, and his life is pretty ordinary until a mighty Calormene (sort of a generic Mideastern civilization) Tarkaan comes to stay at his home. He overhears his father admit that he found the infant Shasta on a raft with a dead man, and the Tarkaan offers to buy him. That night, Shasta escapes with the Tarkaan's talking Narnian horse Bree, and by chance bumps into a runaway Calormene girl called Aravis, who also has a Narnia horse (Hwin).

The four plan to run away to the free land of Narnia. But they run into problems when they enter the city of Tashbaan -- the rotten son of the Tisroc (emperor) is planning to kidnap Queen Susan of Narnia and marry her whether she likes it or not. What's more, Shasta is caught up by the kings of Narnia, who think he's the prince of Archenland -- what's more, the prince looks exactly like Shasta. With the guidance of the mysterious Aslan, Shasta and Aravis must keep the Calormenes from attacking Narnia.

The later books in Lewis's series are probably a bit better than the first ones, literaturewise. This book introduces new and very interesting characters, as well as bringing back old ones like the kings and queens of Narnia, Tumnus, and Aslan, of course. The Christian subtext is probably faintest in this volume, and it's probably the least connected to the main storyline that runs through the series. But it's also a good exploration of stuff that Lewis had introduced, such as the Middle-Eastern Calormen kingdom, and the talking animals. And the writing is superb, especially the scene with Shasta near the tombs.

Aravis may be my favorite character in the Chronicles -- she's tough, decisive, independant, and smart. She's a bit reminiscent of J.R.R. Tolkien's Eowyn, or one of Lloyd Alexander's more serious heroines. Shasta is a nice twist on the boy-with-mysterious past, a likeable kid who is a bit in over his head but keeps working at it. Bree and Hwin are also likeable, with different personalities (Bree is more sarcastic, Hwin is meeker) and after awhile you may forget that they're horses.

Even taken outside the Chronicles (one of the early fantasy series, and one that helped spawn many of the staples of fantasy literature), this is an entertaining story for anybody who enjoys a good story.

Shasta is about to be sold into slavery when he meets Bree, a talking horse. Together, the two set out for Narnia. But their journey is filled with danger as they are chased by lions. Meeting up with two more travelers, they must get through the town of Tashbaan undetected. That's where they learn of a plot against the rulers of Narnia, Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy. Will they be able to get there in time to sound the alarm?

I can remember being disappointed with this book as a kid, mainly because it doesn't involve a magical trip from our world to Narnia and we hardly see the four from the first book. When I sat down to reread it, I found that I had forgotten much of the story, so I was captured anew by these adventures. I found myself reading "just one more chapter" to find out what would happen next. And Aslan's scenes especially moved me as well.

If you start this book aware that this isn't your typical Narnia adventure, you're sure to find plenty to enjoy.

"The Horse and His Boy" would definitely be the odd one out among the seven Chronicles of Narnia. For one thing, it is not set in Narnia at all and relates mostly Archenland history. For another, the heroes of the story are natives of that magical world, not children from our own. Finally, it has a strange effect on readers, who end up either loving it or hating it.

In the very first chapter, Shasta, a boy who is obviously one of the story's heroes, finds out that the man he has always called father merely found him in a basket by the seashore. There's nothing like mystery to open an adventure story--and the plot thickens when Shasta meets an enslaved talking horse named Breehy-hinny-brinny-hoohy-hah (called Bree, for short). Bree and Shasta make a deal: if Shasta helps Bree to escape, then Bree will take him to Narnia, where they will both be free.

Of course, C.S. Lewis managed to throw a few obstacles in their way, some of them involving lions, to make the plot more interesting. As this story is set during the reign of Peter the High King, he even included some fascinating political intrigue, courtly chivalry, _and_ a lovely bloody battle. I particularly liked his descriptions of Calormen and its people, which really brought out their culture (though Archenland was allowed to remain a reasonable facsimile of Narnia).

However, these vivid and opulent descriptions are one reason why "The Horse and His Boy" rubs some readers the wrong way. Young people love to return to Narnia again and again because they each have their own Narnia: ultimately, Narnia springs from the imaginations of all readers, not Lewis' alone. The details about Calormen may stir those who have practiced visualizing with "A Thousand and One Nights", but they will do nothing for children raised on a diet of Western fairytales.

Moreover, a great deal of the writing is satirical and satire is humor for adults. Those who know a bit about Arab culture will appreciate the characterization of the Calormenes (or else be terribly offended by it), but only the more sophisticated readers will know exactly what Lewis is poking fun at when he creates proverbs such as, "As a costly jewel retains its value even when hidden in a dunghill, so old age and discretion are to be respected even in the vile persons of our subjects."

Yet I can assure all readers and Narnia lovers that, despite the contrary elements of this novel, Aslan will not disappoint.

A young peasant boy (with a mysterious past) named Shasta and a talking horse named Bree escape their oppressive land to reach Narnia. They combine forces with a noble girl and her talking horse and discover a plot to conquer Narnia and they are all determined to warn Narnia. In other publications, Lewis had stated that his children's fantasies were just stories, without hidden meanings (I'll always wonder if he said that with tongue in cheek). Yet, one can easily view the lion Aslan as creator, counselor, and savior. This is much more apparent in some of the other volumes in the series. This was the fifth book published in the series and, in my opinion, should be the fifth book read (although others suggest that it be the third book read).

"The Horse and His Boy" is a bit of an oddity in the Chronicles of Narnia. It is the only book in which the main characters are natives of the fantasy world of Aslan (rather than being from ours), and is set in the era glimpsed in Chapter 17 of "The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe".

Shasta lives in Calormen, a very Arabian Knights sort of place south of Narnia, full of beautiful palaces, dark skinned warriors, and citizens who quote their verbose poets and philosophers frequently. Shasta's lived all his life by the sea, treated cruelly by his "father" and made to do all the work. His humble life changes when a Tarkaan (something like a duke) arrives in town, riding a horse named Bree. Through an overheard conversation, Shasta discovers that his father isn't really his father, and that he comes from Narnia, a faraway northern country. Curious of his origins, he decides to run away to Narnia, and so does Bree (who is actually a talking horse, taken from Narnia when young, and forced to act tame). They meet up with runaways Hwin and her girl Tarkheena Aravis, (also headed for Narnia) and together they ride northwards, braving bustlings cities, sweltering deserts, and a wild lion that just won't leave them alone...

I struggled through this book when I was younger (fifth grade), even though I was something of a big reader. There's a lot of wordy dialogue, like the quotes of the poets, and a lot of political intrigue that a kid won't neccesarily appreciate, like the motives for Rabbadash's war and his flirtations with Queen Susan, which go on for quite a bit. I know I didn't really enjoy those parts back then, and kind of scanned over those chapters. There is much to enjoy though. I loved the landscapes. I could feel the heat of the desert, and the balmy, unpredictable climate of Archenland, and the bustle of Tashbaan.

C.S. Lewis was a devoted Christian, and even though it doesn't shine through as strongly as in the other Narnian Chronicles, there is still some allegory to be found. The theme, I think, is something close to Proverbs 16v9 in the Bible: "In his heart man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps". Shasta, Bree, Hwin and Aravis all decide to escape Calormen to Narnia, but it is Aslan who guides their way. Even if it they didn't know it, it was he who brought them together, kept them safe, and got them to where they were going just in the nick of time.

"The Horse and His Boy" was the fifth Narnian Chronicle to be written, and the third chronologically. Well, that's not techincally true If you were being really chronological, you'd start with "The Magician's Nephew", go on to "The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe", stop halfway through Chapter 17 after the children become kings and queens to read "A Horse and His Boy", finish that, then go back to finish the "The Lion the Witch and The Wardrobe", then going on normally until "The Silver Chair", where you'd stop towards the end of Chapter 3, (where "The Horse and His Boy" is told to Jill and Eustace), read "The Horse and His Boy" again, then go back.

But that's being REALLY picky, and probably a little obsessive. It wouldn't be much fun at all to read the series like that.

The only book you really need to read before it, I think, is "The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe", which explains how the Golden Age of Narnia began.

I've been reading the series in the order that Lewis wrote them in, and again I've noticed a feeling of a looming end, a feeling that began with "The Silver Chair". The pieces of "The Last Battle" are falling into place. Apes being associated with deception, the introduction of Tash and the religion of Calormen, hints of Susan being too grown up for Narnia (she stays in the castle, acting like an adult, while her sister Lucy goes to battles), all elements very important for the Narnian finale.

Probably not an essential in the series, but enjoyable enough.

This is the third book (chronologically) in the Narnia series, and the fifth one published. It is vastly different from "The Magician's Nephew" and "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe", given that most of the story unfolds outside of Narnia, and it's missing the magic that permeated the first two books.

I hasten to add here that it is a richly descriptive novel, my best description being "Moses" meets "The Prince and the Pauper" and "Alladin" in "Arabian Nights ".

Breehy-hinny-brinny-hoohy-hah, aka Bree, the horse in question does not live up to the "star" billing of the title, being a touch vain, proud and conceited and a little chicken in times of trouble, but without him there would not be a story, and Shasta (his boy, as you may have guessed)would still be a Tarkaan's slave.

They are joined in this adventure by Aravis Tarkheena, assisted by her stable and sensible horse Hwin. Aravis is fleeing an arranged marriage to an ugly old brown-nosing Grand Vizier-designate with a humpback.

Together they defy the odds, fight and squabble a lot, uncover a treacherous plot and finally crawl across the desert into Narnia via Archenland to help save the day.

A grand battle ensues to satisfy the rejection issues of hot headed Tashbaan Prince Rabadash, and Queen Lucy and King Edward (of Book 2) are right in the middle of the fray. High King Peter is off fighting somewhere else, and Queen Susan is staying out of this one, even though she more or less started it. All our friendly mythical creatures appear at this point.

Shasta finds his true identity, his real family, and secures his future job, and everybody lives more or less happily ever after, except Rabadash, who makes a jackass of himself.

No story of Narnia is complete without the presence of the great and powerful Aslan, who appears in various guises throughout the story, guiding, calming, disciplining and protecting his children.

Another compelling story for all ages.

Amanda Richards August 7, 2004

Young Shasta grew up in Calormen, but always felt a drawing towards the north. When a nobleman rides up one day, and begins negotiating with Shasta's father to buy him, he learns that he is really a foundling from Narnia. Shasta wants to escape, and opportunity presents itself, when the nobleman's horse begins to talk to him! It seems that Bree was also stolen away from Narnia, so the two form an alliance and head north. But there are many adventures and surprises along the way. Plus, it seems that somebody has their eye on Shasta!

I love this book! I gather that there is some disagreement as to the order in which you should read the Chronicles of Narnia, but this one is well placed at #3, falling as it does during the later stages of the High-Kingship of Peter. This book has a wonderful Arabian Nights feel to most of it, and it is filled with adventure and suspense. I enjoyed reading this book to my children, and they enjoyed hearing it. We all recommend this book to you!

THE HORSE AND HIS BOY, the 3rd book in C.S. Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia series and the 5th one published, carries on the adventures of Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy in a roundabout manner, as the four of them rule on Narnia's throne in the great castle at Cair Paravel.

This story centers around a boy named Shasta, an orphan boy raised by a Calorman fisherman from the South. For his whole life, Shasta had looked to the North, up the long rising hill, and wondered what was in the North. He felt some part of him belonged in the North. So when a Tarkaan royalty shows up at his master's house and offers to buy Shasta into slavery, Shasta decides he must run away. With the help of a talking Narnian horse named Bree (a.k.a. Breehy-hinny-brinny-hoohy-hah), he flees to the North, toward the feeling in his soul and away from the clutches of slavery.

His path converges with Aravis Tarkheena, who is running away from her forced betrothal to the ugly Grand Visier. She too has a talking Narnian horse named Hwin. Together they brave the foreboding countryside, the crowded city streets, the desert wastelands, and the war fields as they run for their freedom and fall unknowingly into secret plots for espionage and war, finally discovering who they really are through their journeys.

A Narnian novel would not be complete without an appearance of the powerful lion Aslan, and he finds his way into the story in very symbolic and physical ways. While this story pales in comparison to The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, the story of an orphaned boy learning the true identity of his sonship is filled with Christian symbolism that will refresh the hearts of readers. If nothing else, C.S. Lewis has such a way with simple storytelling that one's inner writing critic might just go to sleep and leave you able to enjoy the purity of the story.

--- Reviewed by Jonathan Stephens

Unlike all the other Chronicles of Narnia, THE HORSE AND HIS BOY has as its protagonists two youngsters native to the Narnian world rather than to ours, although neither is a Narnian. It's set during the golden age of Narnia, covered by the latter part of THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE, although the High King and his brother and sisters don't come into this story much, as it takes place mostly in Calormen and Archenland, which lie south of Narnia.

Shasta, the adopted son of a poor Calormene fisherman, has lived a hard but somewhat sheltered life. He's never seen much of the world, so when a passing nobleman begins an evening's bargaining with Arsheesh to buy him, Shasta is more excited than worried, wishing only that the nobleman's warhorse could talk and tell him what sort of a man this stranger might be.

"But I can."

Bree, in fact, is a Talking Horse from Narnia, caught as a colt years ago and mistaken for an ordinary animal when he had the sense to keep his mouth shut. And while the Tarkaan is good enough to an expensive warhorse like Bree, Shasta would be better off dead than a slave in the Tarkaan's power.

Bree longs for the childhood home he barely remembers, but knows how slim a stray horse's chances are of making the Calormene border without being caught and sent back to slavery. Shasta, for his part, has nowhere to go in Calormen and no hope of making it far on foot. Clearly, the two of them can help each other, and since Bree is the more experienced of the two, it quickly becomes a case of a horse and his boy rather than the other way around.

Some way into their journey north, the two meet with another equally unusual pair of fugitives: Aravis, fleeing an arranged marriage, and her mare, Hwin. (Aravis' background isn't shown directly, like Shasta's, but told by Aravis in the formal Calormene storytelling mode, which is worth hearing.) The four of them join forces, and in a neat bit of characterization, they don't get along particularly well at first, although all four are good people. Aravis is a considerable cut above Shasta socially, and since even the horses know the same places and people that she does, Shasta is at first rather left out (and sulks accordingly). But on the last leg of their journey before reaching the great desert separating Calormen from the northern lands, the party is separated while passing through the capital - only to learn separately some very dangerous information that makes it vital that they cross the desert as fast as possible, if they want there to still be a Narnia to flee to when their travels are over.

While I enjoy all of the Narnia books, I'm particularly fond of this one, although it has weaknesses. Shasta's Calormen speech patterns are introduced at the beginning of the story, but quickly fade away. Three people originally from our world, on the other hand, have adopted very archaic speech patterns that aren't like either their original accents or those of most Narnian characters we encounter. (They also seem a bit hypocritical on the subject of very young people being in battle, which is another story.)

That sort of thing aside, the book also has many strengths. At one point, one of the protagonists has a chance to eavesdrop on a secret meeting between the Tisroc and two high-ranking members of his court, giving us a glimpse of a very self-possessed tyrant, practical politics, and an understanding of how the northern lands have managed to remain free of the empire for so long. Lewis knew enough about war as an infantryman to write a realistic battle scene from the point of view of a completely untried person, as well as some of the pragmatic facts about the difficulties of organizing supplies for large groups as opposed to small ones.

I recommend the unabridged audio edition narrated by Alex Jennings, who also narrates most of Susan Cooper's THE DARK IS RISING books. One touch that made me smile is that Jennings uses almost the same voice for Bree here as that for Great-Uncle Merry in OVER SEA, UNDER STONE, but with some subtle differences (Bree only *thinks* he's exceptionally wise and experienced.)