The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, by C. S. Lewis

The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe
(c)1950 by C. S. LewisPossibly the most famous of C. S. Lewis's books in the Chronicles of Narnia, The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe makes clear to the reader why it is so popular when one reads the story contained within it.

Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy have gone to stay at a large house in the country to escape the dangers in the city during World War II. The owner of the house is a curiously open minded old gentleman who lets them do whatever they like and go wherever they go, so long as they don't upset the housekeeper, Mrs. MacCready, or interfere with her when she is showing sightseers around the old house, which is also a historical building.

While staying at this old house, Lucy discovers an interesting characteristic of an old wardrobe in an empty room. The others don't believe her, and even when Edmund discovers the interesting thing for himself, he denies. The reason comes clear later on, after all four hide themselves in the wardrobe, trying to keep out of the way of Mrs. MacCready who is showing a group around the house.

That particular characteristic is that sometimes, the wardrobe doesn't have a back, and instead leads to another world called Narnia.

Narnia, when the children get there, is enchanted with a never ending winter caused by the evil White Witch, Jadis. Edmund, on his first trip to Narnia, fell under Jadis's influence. (That's why he denied having been to Narnia before.) Because of Jadis tricking him, Edmund deserts the others to find Jadis, which causes all sorts of trouble and danger. But there's one hope. And that is Aslan, the lion. Not just any lion, but the Son of the Emperor Beyond the Sea. And how will Aslan help out? Read the book and find out!

I heartily recommend this book to everyone, especially people who enjoy fantasies written for children, but can also be read and enjoyed by adults as well.