Journey into Narnia [Paperback]

Kathryn Lindskoog (Author), Patrick Wynne (Illustrator), Tim Kirk (Cover Design)

Book Description

An updated and expanded classic study of C.S.Lewis's Narnia series with a study guide and a chronological review of the seven books. Biblical parallels and applications highlighted are for personal reading pleasure, but provide pracical helps for teachers, parents and ministers as well.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Educators who use the Narnia chronicles in their classrooms, or even those adults who just are fans of the series, should find this book of interest. Lindskoog, has expanded and updated her book The Lion of Judah in Never-Never Land: The Theology of C. S. Lewis Expressed in His Fantasies for Children, which was first published in the 1950s. Part 1 of the book explores the Christian theology that underlies the books and how Lewis' concept of God and nature affected his writing. Part 2 looks at the seven books individually. Each of those chapters contains questions for children to think about, vocabulary, and factual quizzes. Some of those "just for fun" quizzes are on the simplistic side, but teachers might use the activities as a jumping-off place for their own ideas. Pen-and-ink drawings enliven the text. Ilene Cooper

Review

Edmund Fuller in “The Wall Street Journal”: “An excellent exposition of the sinewy theology that underlies the Narnia tales.”

Colin Manlove in “The Chronicles of Narnia”: “Lindskoog’s success is in enriching and deepening our understanding of the implications of the Narnia stories.... She shows how the books are part of a far larger fabric of imagery and idea.... It is small wonder that C. S. Lewis valued this book.”

A Great Travel Guide to Narnia--Chronicles of Narnia is a set of books that adults readers want to reflect on, to figure out what it all means. Lindskoog knows these books at many levels---the concrete and story-line connections across stories, how the connections were put there by the author who did not write the books in chronological order, and the connections between story elements and philosophical and religious themes. All adult readers of the Chronicles should also read this book. Teachers who want to include any of the Narnian books in their classrooms will really benefit from the insights and the instructional aids provided by Lindskoog. --G. Michael Pressley

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Hope Publishing House (December 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0932727891
• ISBN-13: 978-0932727893
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #507,378 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #57 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy > History & Criticism

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a deepened appreciation of Narnia, August 7, 2001

By 

NotATameLion (Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Journey into Narnia (Paperback)

Kathryn Lindskoog is one heck of an author. I have greatly enjoyed reading her books. Journey into Narnia is no exception. In fact, I believe she brings the most passion to her work here.

The first half of this volume, "The Lion of Judah in Never-Never Land" is a masterpiece. It is like a theology of Lewis' Narnian tales. Lindskoog is not just another fan of Narnia, she is an insightful scholar. She demonstrates her deep knowledge of Lewis' other work while examining Lewis' views on Creation, Humanity, and God as expressed in the Narnian stories.

I must make mention here that one should read Lewis' books at least once all the way through before reading this book...a lot is given away (The conclusion is quoted within the first fifty pages). So don't spoil Narnia for yourself...read the books before you read this.

Part two is a book by book look at the stories. It has trivia questions, things to ponder, and benedictions based on each story (I love the one for The Magician's Nephew). The most startling thing I took away from part two is how much Lewis owed and made allusion to E. Nesbit's children's stories within the Narnian books.

The Chronicles of Narnia are some of my all-time favorite books. Mrs. Lindskoog has added to my appreciation of them. I recommend this book highly...may the Great Lion be with you.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!, April 29, 2000

By 

"raisins24" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Journey into Narnia (Paperback)

This book is fabulous! It explains all of the sybolic and religous meaning in the books and has a lot of interesting facts about Lewis and Narnia. It also includes the ages of the children in each book and has the recipies for the foods in the books, like Turkish Delight and alot of other stuff. This is a great book for anyone who has ever read the Chronicles. I highly reccomend it.

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Travel Guide to Narnia, August 11, 2001

By 

G. Michael Pressley (East Lansing, MI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Journey into Narnia (Paperback)

Chronicles of Narnia is a set of books that adults readers want to reflect on, to figure out what it all means. Lindskoog knows these books at many levels---the concrete and story-line connections across stories, how the connections were put there by the authors who did not write the books in chronological order, and the connections between story elements and philosophical and religious themes. All adult readers of the Chronicles should also read this book. Teachers who want to include any of the Narnian books in their classrooms will really benefit from the insights and the instructional aids provided by Lindskoog.