The Magician's Nephew

Every time I read this book (and series), I am in awe of God’s love for me. (Seriously, Aslan hits right in the feels for me.) That love calls me to live with intention because I was intentionally created. I am reminded that there is something beyond us, but our lives can impact the battles we can’t see here and now. 

I love imagination and Christian-themed books that don’t preach. This one is both. It leads you to think without spoon-feeding doctrine. The characters are real (for fantasy) and are not merely tools to propel a plot or theme. Sadly, I didn’t read them until I was an adult and finished my own fantasy series. I wish I had. Reading them as a child would have been such a delight.

Let’s face it. Narnia was the gateway drug for many of us. The brevity. The beautiful simplicity of the storytelling. The way the author talks to the reader, not as a clueless little kid, but as a human who has the capacity to understand big ideas. Betrayal, Sacrifice, Honor and Redemption–deep subjects you would think a kid’s book would shy away from.

It was the first time I read a book meant for kids that didn’t feel condescending. And then Lewis is also just plum funny. 

Though this book was not my first exposure to Lewis’s world of Narnia, it holds a special place in my heart.

This story provides a thrilling adventure that captured my young mind. But more than that, I remember the pictures flying through my head as I read Aslan creating the world of Narnia, which would serve as the backdrop for so many other stories I love. 

This world magically unfolds. The stuff about the wood between worlds really got my kid imagination going.

The thought of there being many pools and Digory and Polly only jumping into a couple, leaving the rest unexplored, makes my brain go: “Ahhhhhhhh! One day, I'll go there and explore some pools for myself."

Of all the Chronicles of Narnia, I liked this one the best.

My mentor and now dear friend recommended this book to me when I told him I didn't read much anymore. I didn't want to admit that I loved reading and stopped due to self-pity and my anger at failure in life.

He didn't realize when I started reading the books because I didn't want him to think I was a dud. I loved this book and couldn't wait to finish the series, yet I wanted to delay it when I reached the last book. 

I cried lights and surprisingly developed my understanding of God and faith. 

Unbeknownst to me, I… show more.

For many years I thought that The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe was the first entry in the Chronicles of Narnia so imagine my surprise (and delight) when I found the entire seven book series at a second hand store.

I want to read more of his work as Lewis is a wonderful example of someone who works for Christ.

In particular there is a scene where the Lion is singing creation into existence and Lewis's description is beautiful.

It's included here as a recognition to the open door that he left for us fantasy freaks.  

Queens can be good, or evil, or anywhere between. The Magician’s Nephew introduced me (many years ago now) to one of my favourite evil queens – Jadis, later known as the White Witch who plunges Narnia into eternal winter. Unlike some other fictional queens, Jadis is not someone I would either aspire to be or want to hang out with, but her bloody-minded determination is not something any reader is going to forget in a hurry. Unable to defeat her sister, she casts a spell that destroys her entire world rather than lose. The kind of behaviour that… show more.

This book was my introduction to The Chronicles of Narnia. The idea of stepping into another world, peopled by humans, talking animals, fauns, and so on, engaged my always active imagination. I loved the fight between good and evil and the vivid descriptions of both the characters and their surroundings. Whilst intended for very young people, this book can be read by adults and enjoyed for what it is – pure fantasy.