The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (The Chronicles of Narnia, Book 5, Full-Color Collector's Edition) [Paperback]

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

Book Description

Release date: August 22, 2000 | Age Range: 8 and up | Series: The Chronicles of Narnia (Book 5)

The Dawn Treader will take you places you never dreamed existed.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The BBC Radio production of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is a delightful two-hour sail on the most fabulous ship in Narnia. Lucy and Edmund, with their dreadful cousin Eustace, get magically pulled into a painting of a ship at sea. That ship is the Dawn Treader, and on board is Caspian, King of Narnia. He and his companions, including Reepicheep, the valiant warrior mouse, are searching for seven lost lords of Narnia, and their voyage will take them to the edge of the world. Their adventures include being captured by slave traders, a much-too-close encounter with a dragon, and visits to many enchanted islands, including the place where dreams come true. The adaptation is faithful to its source, C.S. Lewis's series of Narnia books, which have provided exciting and uplifting tales for generations of children. BBC Radio does wonders with sound effects--the ship creaks in the wind, the sorrowful dragon roars lugubriously--and musical cues and interludes that keep the pacing dynamic. There's also a splendid cast of plummy British voices, making this far more than a book read onto cassette--it's an audio drama, as enjoyable as a trip to the theater. Grownups who buy this tape for their children will want to borrow it for themselves. (Running time: two hours, two cassettes) --Blaise Selby --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-8-In the third book in C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia (but the fifth installment in Focus on the Family's Radio Theatre production), Edmund and Lucy Pevensy along with their bratty cousin, Eustace, are transported through a painting into Narnia where they join Prince Caspian on a voyage to the west. The children are tested on this voyage, and visit strange lands and encounter unusual creatures. Eustace is turned into a dragon, and then helped to return to human form by Aslan, the lion god. This outstanding full-cast dramatization adheres closely to the book's text. Recorded in London, actor Paul Scofield is the storyteller, and other parts are dramatically read by other British actors. The production features sound effects and background music, which sometimes becomes obtrusive. While adults might find the story a little dated at times and the religious elements somewhat heavy handed, children will not notice and will enjoy the story. This is a more complete version of the story than the excellent BBC production available from Bantam Audiobooks (1998).
Louise Sherman, formerly Anna C. Scott School, Leonia, NJ
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Age Range: 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins; Collectors edition (August 22, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0064409465
• ISBN-13: 978-0064409469
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (247 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #212,769 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Clive Staples Lewis (1898-1963) was one of the intellectual giants of the twentieth century and arguably one of the most influential writers 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 Literature at Cambridge University, a position he held until his retirement. 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 Mere Christianity, Out of the Silent Planet, The Great Divorce, The Screwtape Letters, and the universally acknowledged classics The Chronicles of Narnia. To date, the Narnia books have sold over 100 million copies and been transformed into three major motion pictures.

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#96 Overall (See top 100 authors)

#4 in Books > Religion & Spirituality

#9 in Kindle eBooks > Religion & Spirituality

#11 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Classics

#64 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction

#72 in Books > Teens

#4 in Books > Religion & Spirituality

#9 in Kindle eBooks > Religion & Spirituality

#11 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Classics

#64 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction

#72 in Books > Teens

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 34 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Voyaging May 26, 2005

By E. A Solinas HALL OF FAMETOP 100 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

The second volume of the Narnia Chronicles closed with the possibility of Lucy and Edmund -- though not their older siblings -- returning to Narnia. "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" makes good on that story, with the intrepid pair (plus a whiny cousin) returning on a strange sea voyage.

After the events of "Prince Caspian," Lucy and Edmund are sent off to stay with their obnoxious cousin Eustace. But when they admire a picture of a strange ship, suddenly all three kids are sucked in -- and land in a Narnian sea. On board the ship is King Caspian, now fully grown, who is determined to find a bunch of knights exiled by his murderous uncle, even if he has to go to the edge of the world (literally).

Lucy and Edmund are thrilled to be back in Narnia again, but Eustance proceeds to make trouble any way he can, complaining and causing trouble among the crew. But there are problems more horrifying than any of them can guess, from dragons to sinister "gold water" to a region filled with their worst nightmares.

"The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" is one of Lewis's most original and tightly-written Narnian adventures. It's also a bit of a break from form. After two books of battles against evil tyrants, "Voyage" simply goes where no man/woman/mouse has gone before, and gives us a view of the Narnian world as more than one isolated little region.

And in some ways, it's also the darkest Chronicle. Lewis explores the theme of greed here -- greed for power, beauty, money and magic -- and has some scenes both chilling and majestic. But his archly humorous style peeks through in several places, whether it's pompous mouse Reepicheep or tea with a reclusive old wizard.

Edmund and Lucy are their usual plucky selves, albeit a bit more mature than before. But "Voyage" also introduces one of Lewis' most interesting characters in Eustace Clarence Scrubb. Like Edmund, Eustace is initially a peevish, lying boy who generally makes trouble, but slowly learns his errors. But unlike Edmund, Eustace doesn't have to ally himself to the baddie to learn that.

"Voyage of the Dawn Treader" was a turning point for the Narnia Chronicles, as well as the one that began venturing into darker territory. Engaging and tightly written.

45 of 50 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars questing after the Kingdom November 8, 2001

By NotATameLion

Format:Hardcover

I have put off reviewing "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" for a long time. There is no other book I have so longed to recommend to others, but I have felt (and still feel) totally inadequate when it comes to expressing what a wonderful story this is. I could go on for days about all the wonderful things contained here. That said, I will try and focus on only a few aspects of this book and then plead with you to read it.

First, I must note that I feel this story should be read in the context of the entire Narnian series. It stands on its own nicely enough, but the deep background of the previous tales adds richness and texture to the tale.

Secondly, I must note that this book is highly enjoyable because it works on two levels. The tale as a whole is the story of a journey into unknown lands. With each new place they visit, the whole is broken into wonderful episodes. My favorite episode (with the exception of the ending) is the island where dreams come true...its not what one would expect.

The character of Eustace is my favorite of all the humans in the Narnian books. This story is partly a tale of his transformation. This seems to be a universal human desire; but Eustace, like all who truly seek transformation must, finds impossible to reform himself. This is an especially timely lesson for our "self-help" culture at the beginning of the twenty-first century.

This brings me to what I like best of "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader." Let me preface what I say here by making it clear that no one hates heavy-handed use of allegory as much as I do. However, the allegory that is "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" is one of the greatest things of beauty I have ever encountered.

In one form or another we are all questing after an unseen kingdom. Be it the kingdom of God, Materialism, or simply of the Self--we are all, like Caspian and his pals, on a quest. I don't wish to give away any endings, but let me just say that the greatest truth Lewis expresses in his book is that no one can reach the True Kingdom on their own.

I urge you to read this book. If I could only have a handful of books, this one would definitely be among them. I give "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" my highest recommendation.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars The text Lewis did not prefer December 17, 2005

By S. C. Mitchell

Format:Mass Market Paperback

I'd like to see an edition with both versions of Chapter Twelve, "The Dark Island". C.S. Lewis found himself dissatisfied with the ending of that chapter; he thought that having the island simply vanish denigrated children's feelings, implying as it does that children _should_ feel like "pretty good fools" for being afraid of things that don't frighten grownups.

So for the American edition, he revised that chapter to show the island growing "smaller and smaller astern" as the ship sailed away. And instead of having Lord Rhoop beg never to be sent back there, he had a strong bit of business in which Lord Rhoop's boon that he begs of King Caspian is "Never to ask me, or to let any other ask me, what I have seen during my years on the Dark Island."

Lewis thought, and I think, that this was more respectful of his child-readers: acknowledging that even if the fear-object is imaginary, the fear is real. The original edition _dismissed_ children's fears, tantamount to laughing at a child who's awakened in shuddering terror and telling him, "It was all just a dream! Now don't you feel silly?"

Lewis's revision -- the "Never to ask me" version of the text -- was featured in all American editions prior to 1994. At that time, the US publishers made the decision to return to the earlier text simply because it was the "original", ignoring Lewis's own preference for the revised text.

I'd like to see an edition of this book that includes both versions of Chapter 12, perhaps adding the revised text as an appendix at the book's end.