Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe: A Celebration of the First Edition (Narnia) [Hardcover]

C. S. Lewis (Author), Pauline Baynes (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: Narnia

In 1950, C. S. Lewis introduced the world of Narnia and its unforgettable King, Aslan.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Clive Staples Lewis (1898-1963) was one of the intellectual giants of the twentieth century and arguably the most influential Christian writer of his day. He was a Fellow and Tutor in English literature at Oxford University until 1954 when he was unanimously elected to the Chair of Medieval and Renaissance English at Cambridge University, a position he held until his retirement. His major contributions in literary criticism, children's literature, fantasy literature, and popular theology brought him international renown and acclaim. He wrote more than thirty books, allowing him to reach a vast audience, and his works continue to attract thousands of new readers every year. His most distinguished and popular accomplishments include The Chronicles of Narnia, Out of the Silent Planet, The Four Loves, The Screwtape Letters, and Mere Christianity.

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Clive Staples Lewis (1898-1963) fue uno de los intelectuales mÁs importantes del siglo veinte y podrÍa decirse que fue el escritor cristiano mÁs influyente de su tiempo. Fue profesor particular de literatura inglesa y miembro de la junta de gobierno en la Universidad Oxford hasta 1954, cuando fue nombrado profesor de literatura medieval y renacentista en la Universidad Cambridge, cargo que desempeÑÓ hasta que se jubilÓ. Sus contribuciones a la crÍtica literaria, literatura infantil, literatura fantÁstica y teologÍa popular le trajeron fama y aclamaciÓn a nivel internacional. C. S. Lewis escribiÓ mÁs de treinta libros, lo cual le permitiÓ alcanzar una enorme audiencia, y sus obras aÚn atraen a miles de nuevos lectores cada aÑo. Sus mÁs distinguidas y populares obras incluyen Las CrÓnicas de Narnia, Los Cuatro Amores, Cartas del Diablo a Su Sobrino y Mero Cristianismo.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins; Deluxe edition (October 27, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061715050
• ISBN-13: 978-0061715051
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #35,619 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #89 in Books > Children's Books > Literature & Fiction > Religious Fiction > Christian
  • #97 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Literature & Fiction > Science Fiction & Fantasy

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars First editions, April 24, 2011

By 

DAC314 (Denver, CO USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe: A Celebration of the First Edition (Narnia) (Hardcover)

Being a Narnia fan I was excited to see that "A Celebration of the First Edition" of LWW was published. This is a hardcover with dustjacket and includes one color illustration of Aslan playing with Susan and Lucy. The first few pages are different but the story printing on each page coincides with the first edition. The reason I gave it only 3 stars is there are several pages in the story where the ink must have been running short on the printer because some of the words are difficult to make out. Also, the book boards are covered with paper not cloth and the pages are glued not sewn. The Chronicles of Narnia have such a huge following. I think I speak for all book fans of this series in saying I wish a publisher would get it right. Print the Chronicles of Narnia as they were originally published including cloth boards and sewn pages. A little quality in this product would be a huge seller.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE by C. S. Lewis, January 27, 2011

By 

thepaxdomini "The Book Review" (Tulsa, OK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe: A Celebration of the First Edition (Narnia) (Hardcover)

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1950) is a children's fantasy novel, the first and best-known in C. S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia. During World War II, four siblings are sent from London to a house in the country, where they are drawn into a magical world ruled by an evil witch.

Here, Lewis introduces the reader to a charming fantasy world populated with creatures drawn from Norse and Greek mythology. This kind of world will be instantly familiar to fantasy readers of all ages, as Lewis, one of the cornerstones of the modern high fantasy genre, has inspired a great deal of imitation (and, let's be honest, some outright cribbing).

Lewis's narration is perfect for the children's genre: it is full of quaint homey details and little assurances to the reader (he also speeds through what would otherwise be graphic or horrific scenes). Additionally, Lewis does a nice job giving all four siblings the broad strokes of distinct personalities in such a short book.

While The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is not an allegory in the strict sense of the word, it does contain a great deal of strong and rather unmistakable Christian imagery. The most apparent such imagery centers around Aslan, who is an obvious Christ figure, and whose fate parallels Christ's Passion. Indeed, while Aslan debuts rather late in the book, he dominates the story, which is, at its core, all about what Aslan is doing rather than what the children are doing.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is a delightful read and a wonderful initiation to the world of Narnia. Yes, The Magician's Nephew comes first chronologically, but it is here that Lewis makes his introductions.

7 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Solid Paperback!, November 5, 2010

By 

Fighting Irish "Explicate & Elucidate" (Portland, baby!) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe: A Celebration of the First Edition (Narnia) (Hardcover)

*****

I was happy to hold a hardcover with Pauline Baynes' illustrations. The font is good, the pages of good quality, and it made re-reading this classic a warming experience.

I especially enjoyed re-reading this book in light of Michael Ward's The Narnia Code: C. S. Lewis and the Secret of the Seven Heavens, which has helped me appreciate all the more the rich and subtle messages of this classic, Christianity-permeated fairy tale.

You'll enjoy this edition. It's worth the couple of extra bucks.

*****