Companion to Narnia: A Complete Guide to the Magical World of C.S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia

by Paul F. Ford

Step into the Wardrobe This peerless companion has served as an adventurer's passport to the land of Narnia for twenty-five years and was used by the cast and crew of the major motion picture The Chronicles of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe . From Aslan, the Great Lion, to Zardeenah, the mysterious lady of the night, this comprehensive, accessible book contains hundreds of alphabetically arranged and indexed entries covering all the characters, events, places, and themes that Lewis brilliantly wove into his timeless and magical world. For readers of all ages, this is the perfect guide for the enchanted world of C. S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia.

Genres: Fantasy, Reference, Fiction, Christian, Literary Criticism, Classics, Childrens

560 pages, Paperback

First published June 23, 1980

Reviews

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read part of this book years ago and always regretted leaving it unfinished. This year I finally sat down to read it through, cover to cover. And man, what a feat this is. This companion (an encyclopedia, really) is essential for every Lewis scholar.

There’s particularly good entries for the main characters: Caspian, Digory, Edmund, Eustace, Jill, Lucy, Peter, Reepicheep, Shasta, Susan, etc. In addition, there’s other entries with unexpectedly good insights: autobiographical allusions, dedications, feelings, knowledge, pain, Plato, practical notes, privacy, right and wrong, sexism, silence, talking beasts, time, Universalism. I think his entries on myth and pain needed much more expansion. Also, he needs to add more about the memory of other worlds -- analysis of how the English children remember Narnia while in our world, and how they remember our world while in Narnia. (If not in the entry on memory, then elsewhere.)

But these are just my slight quibbles. Little touches make this encyclopedia truly a treasure, like Ford always referring to this as "our world" instead of the "real world." He is not afraid to point out some of Lewis's weaknesses or to defend Lewis where other critics have made unfair claims. The extensive cross referencing and is truly a feat. Ford takes Narnia and its culture very seriously and I love him for it.

Some of the fantastic resources include:
—the Aslan entry gives a summary for each of the seven books from Aslan’s perspective, and his role in the plot; if you’re only going to flip through this book casually, be sure to read this entry
—list of biblical parallels in the Narniad, with corresponding biblical citations
—chronology of Lewis's writing and publication of the seven books
—comparison between Narnia and earth timelines
—remarks on differences between the US vs. UK editions of the seven books (particularly VDT ending)
—various maps and diagrams displaying the topography and geography of Narnia and the surroundings lands, with explanation and accompanying table detailing all transitions between worlds
—essay on the specifically Anglican style of spirituality in the Chronicles

[Chad · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Narnian encyclopedia is a must-read for Narnia fans. I wish I had this book each time I read The Chronicles. As the back cover says, this has "hundreds of alphabetically arranged and indexed entries covering the characters, places, and themes" of The Chronicles.

It's extremely thorough. The descriptions fit the stories internally, and also draw on externals such as Lewis's other writings, influences on his life. It also covers allusions to the Bible and to other literature and legends.

I really liked Appendix 5, The Compleat Anglican: Spiritual Style in the Chronicles of Narnia. Appendix 6, A Narnian Atlas, has interesting maps and diagrams.

I read this because it was recommended by Inside Narnia and in other books on Narnia.

Notes

Introduction
Lewis explained the series in this way:
• The Magician's Nephew tells the Creation and how evil entered Narnia.
• The Lion etc the Crucifixion and Resurrection.
• Prince Caspian restoration of the true religion after corruption.
• The Horse and His Boy the calling and conversion of a heathen.
• The Voyage of the "Dawn Treader" the spiritual life (especially in Reepicheep).
• The Silver Chair the continuing war with the powers of darkness.
• The Last Battle the coming of the Antichrist (the Ape), the end of the world and the Last Judgement.

Aslan
• Aslan doesn't tell people any stories but their own, as Jesus wouldn't tell Peter about John's fate in John 21:21-22.
• Aslan's allowing Rabadash to be healed at the temple of Tash isn't meant to advocate universalism; it just means that "Rabadash understands only his god Tash and that Aslan … has arranged for this form of punishment and for this form of release."
• Aslan's breath represents Holy Spirit.
• The sweet waters of the Last Sea picture the Holy Spirit preparing a person to see God's glory.
• "How" in Aslan's How is from the Old Norse for "mound" or "cairn."
• Aslan is Turkish for "lion." "As" is also Old Scandinavian for "god."

Bacchus
Lewis believed that Yahweh was the true God of Nature hinted at in mythology by Bacchus, Venus, Ceres, and Genius.

Cair Paravel
"Cair Paravel " probably means "city in the valley."

Calormen
"Calormen" is probably Latin "calor" (heat, warmth) plus English "men."

Charn
"Charn" sounds sinister, suggests burning, and may come from "charnel" which means "burial place."

Colney Hatch
Colney Hatch mentioned in MN was a London insane asylum.

Coriakin
Coriakin is based on pagan priests and Melchizedek.

Deplorable Word
Deplorable Word probably represents atomic bomb.

Depravity
• Lewis had a view of depravity closer to the Catholic tradition than the Calvinist tradition, believing that the human will can develop natural (not saving) virtues, and that the intellect can discover God from nature.
• Emeth is "the naturally Christian soul, who has only to be shown the truth of his situation for him to immediately acknowledge his allegiance to Aslan." See also Universalism.

Emeth
Emeth is Hebrew for "faithful, true." See also Depravity, Universalism.

Emperor-beyond-the-Sea
That the White Witch is the "Emperor's hangman" means that death works by God's permissive will.

Geography
"Geographically … Calormen is akin to the Near and Middle East, Narnia itself is much like Great Britain and Scandinavia … general directions in Narnia seem to be flipped east-for-west from those in Europe."

Gods
Why did Lewis included pagan gods in Narnia? He said "it is only in God's name that the spirits of nature can rule their domains with beauty and security. Without God, they would disappear or become demons."

Invisibility
Aslan's becoming visible in Voyage is meant to show that God keeps the natural moral law.

Last Battle
The courage and hopelessness of the Last Battle is an allusion to Ragnarok.

Magic
• Lewis defined magic as "objective efficacy which cannot be further analyzed" (Letters to Malcolm).
• Deep magic represents the demands of justice; the effects of justice in a created world; not eternal justice.
• Deeper magic represents self-sacrificing compassion; not simply mercy; it's eternal.

Plato
There's a Platonic undercurrent throughout the Chronicles. Plato believed earthly things are copies of transcendent ideas. The Platonic-Augustinian "ascent of the soul": the human heart, inspired by the limited goods of creation, discovers a desire for the unlimited source of perfection. Themes:
• One must examine one's fundamental assumptions
• Knowledge requires a special maturity and state of heart and mind.
• The contrast between appearance and reality.
• The soil is shrunken and self-deceived, forgetting its immortal identity. Real learning consists of rediscovering the higher, timeless realm.

Polly Plummer
Lewis didn't reconcile his account of human presence in Narnia in the first 3 Chronicles (Telmarines) with his account in the last 4 books (Frank and Helen).

Racism and ethnocentrism
"Lewis was a man of his time and socioeconomic class. Like many Englishmen of his era, Lewis was unconsciously but regrettably unsympathetic to things and people Middle Eastern. Thus he sometimes engages in exaggerated stereotyping … he intends this in a broadly comic way."

School
Lewis considered school a necessary evil. He said that the trouble is they teach dry subjects rather than teaching values through stories.

Sexism
The female characters of the last four books are more realistically written than earlier ones. This was probably due to Lewis' growing correspondence with female readers.

Signs
The signs of Prince Caspian are an allusion to the Ten Commandments; Aslan nearly quotes Deuteronomy 6:4-8.

Susan Pevensie
Susan's fall in The Last Battle is foreshadowed in all the books which mention her.

Tash
"Tash" is a Scottish for "blemish, stain, fault, or vice." Tash's banishment to "his own place on" (presumably Hell) seems to indicate that he represents the devil, but in HHB he's just the antithesis of Aslan's qualities, not of Aslan himself.

Technology
A recurring theme in the Chronicles is that the separation and elevation of science above classical knowledge and religion can narrow one's thought. Evil characters have an exaggerated concern for the practical.

Tree-people
Tree-people are modeled on Tolkien's trees at Helm's Deep.

Universalism
Lewis wasn't a universalist. He believed the good in non-christian religions is ultimately from Christ, and a good person finds complete fulfillment in Christ. Aslan has known and loved Emeth prior to his death. Emeth has desired and sought Aslan, though he didn't know it. See also Depravity.

Lewis wrote "Though all salvation is through Jesus, we need not conclude that He cannot save those who have not explicitly accepted Him in this life. … We are not pronouncing all other religions to be totally false, but rather saying that in Christ whatever is true in all religions is consummated and perfected." (God in the Dock). See also Matt 25:31-46; Rom 5:12-21; 1 Tim 2:2-5, 4:10; Titus 2:11; 2 Pet 3:9; 2 Thess 2:13; Eph 1:10; Col 1:20.

Vanity
Vanity is the chink in a person's armor that allows evil to enter. In the Chronicles, pride and vanity are shown transmuted into greed and love of power.

White Witch
• The origin stories of the White Witch and Jadis are contradictory because Lewis wrote Lion before Magician.
• The Hag's statement in Caspian that the witch is alive may mean that although she was killed, her spirit lives on through dark magic.

Appendix 5: The Compleat Anglican
The books are best read in publication order, to maximize impact of individual stories, and to follow the theme of "the emotional climate of Christian commitment at various age levels, from very young childhood to old age and death."

LWW: beginning of Christian commitment, which in the Anglican style begins with the holidays (Christmas and Easter) rather than conversion.

PC: mood of doubt and disillusionment associated with early adolescence, with a series of commitments that increase in depth and maturity.

VDT: church membership: ethical behaviour and participation in sacraments. Eustace's undragoning represents baptism, and breakfast with Lamb represents communion.

SC and HHB both deal with spiritual tasks of young adults, God's providence, and need for self-discipline.

SC: young adult's task of discerning truth in the midst of confusing appearances, and embracing it.

HHD: social maturity

MN: Christian's mature middle age. "The middle-aged Christian, burdened by duties and disappointed in his ability to adhere consistently to the precepts of his faith, is apt to see life with sober realism, as an exercise of the will."

LB: explores feelings of the elderly Christian in their last days. "We see the old person, deeply committed to tradition, fighting to keep it."

[eleanor · Rating 4 out of 5]

well this was useful for my diss, very good entries- almost like an encyclopaedia but just for narnia which is slay- yeah very accessible very fun very funky

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good guide to Narnia series helping to understand some of the situations, motivations or author's intentions. The companion explains facts connected with characters of the series. This should be standing next to the series as a help. The build of this book is similiar to encyclopedia or dictionary - all items are in alphabetic order what makes using easier.

[Zanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

we shan't talk about how many times i got emotional reading what is literally a narnian dictionary

[Bivisyani Questibrilia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like most books in my house, this one has been sitting rather idly on my shelf for years. It wasn't until I re-read the whole Chronicles of Narnia did I finally thought to flip through its pages and read it. I really didn't know what to expect, but C.S. Lewis left countless unfinished stories, symbolism and mysteries that I was excited to read about them all.

First of all, this book is like a mini encyclopaedia on the Narniad universe. It comprises a list of various things mentioned and related to the story in alphabetical order. There is a great introduction at the very beginning, which goes to say that it is advised to read the Chronicles in the order of publication—not chronological—to really experience the stories as Lewis himself did too. This book helps me dive deeper into the realm of Aslan and the seven friends of Narnia and understand what Lewis meant by reading the story—throughout the whole book I just keep picturing Anthony Hopkins as C.S. Lewis. There are biographical and literary allusions—inviting as deeper into the mind of C.S. Lewis—as well as mythological references and interesting etymologies. It also reveals rather modern take on the subject matters explored in Narnia, including racism, sexism and universalism.

Personally, I would recommend finishing the Chronicles first, before delving into this one, as it is ridden with loads of spoilers from various books. Most of them are marked as spoilers, but even the ones unmarked may ruin the story for you, unless you've read it beforehand. As it is only a companion, it will not reveal the storyline of the Chronicles within it, so if you haven't read them yet, you might be lost on the majority of the contents of this book.

Lastly, it turns out, this book was read by the cast and crew of the films as guidance, so it will do wonders to open your eyes to things in the book you might have overlooked. Highly recommended!

[Paul Carr · Rating 5 out of 5]

The subtitle to this book says it all: A Complete Guide to the Magical World of C.S. Lewis's 'The Chronicles of Narnia'. Over 500 pages, Paul Ford provides an in-depth look at characters, themes, philosophies literary patterns and structures, and nearly anything else relevant to Lewis' classic series. Most anything that can be known about the series is present here. For those who want to study or appreciate or understand The Chronicles in depth, this is a must-own.

If you take nothing else away from this book, read the chapter explaining why the books should be read in composition order, rather than the recently popular chronological order. Simply put, the original order makes the series better, more powerful, and more cohesive in a literary sense.

[Nickie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is not about C.S. Lewis. It's like a dictionary of every word, person, place or thing associated with the Chronicles of Narnia.
Mr. Ford has meticulously cross referenced a word as it shows up in each book.
This is a worthwhile companion for understanding any given subject within the series.
Say you look up the words 'burnt island' Used in VDT page 114-115. This is where Reepicheep gets his coracle (wicker, skin-clad fishing boat) and it's a destroyed island. The footnotes will at times give word origins which I like.

[Tommy Grooms · Rating 4 out of 5]

I tend to avoid "companion" books, since they are often just rehashed information that can be found elsewhere (like, say, the source material), but Companion to Narnia was a pleasant surprise. I've read a decent amount on C.S. Lewis and there was plenty of commentary in here revealing information and connections that I was unaware of. It's not merely a Narnian encyclopedia, but has entries that explores running themes, cross-referenced in a way that makes it a pleasure to thumb through.

[P.M. Brannock · Rating 3 out of 5]

A helpful reference for those reading the Chronicles who want to know more about the philosophy, theology, literary illusions, and other meanings behind C.S. Lewis’ magical world. It does, however, contain spoilers, so I would not recommend using it to look up items (especially themes and major characters) as you work through the Chronicles for the first time. Instead, I would comb through it after reading all seven books.

[Hayley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting but I think I expected more than this book was actually offering in terms of analysis. A useful reference guide and it has made me want to revisit again particularly The Last Battle (which I know will be a mistake as that book makes me so angry that I tend to skip it and finish with The Silver Chair).

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an encyclopedia of every character, place, theme, emotion, plant, food, drink, literary allusion, classical reference, and more, with extensive theological and philosophical explanations. Not for the faint of heart. It includes maps and diagrams.

My husband: Do you really like reading that?
Me: Yes.

[E.T. Oliveira · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciated the compilation of terms, as some were not directly mentioned in the Narnia stories, but are implied. I also appreciated some of the 'criticism' to C. S. Lewis' views (on gender, culture, etc) - the author obviously researched a lot about C. S. Lewis, which is impressive. I only found some examples a bit repetitive

[Jon · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent reference that goes beyond the usual whats, whens, and wheres but also delves into hows and whys of all things Narnia.

[Allison Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute must have for any Narnian!

[Mishikiville7 Whal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have no companion but Love, no beginning, no end, no dawn. The Soul calls from within me: 'You, ignorant of the way of Love, set Me free.'

[Cassidy April · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the only books in my college's library that wasn't non-fiction! I loved it! It's so long, I had to check it out a bunch of times, but it was worth it. There's just a wealth of information here, and it's so interesting; it's like a guide to the history and mythos of Narnia. It's an absolutely brilliant book, tons of fun to page through; I wish I owned a copy...! Definitely one of my all-time favorite companion books to any series.

If you're as much of a fan of Narnia as I am, I'd definitely recommend checking this little tome out!

[Janine · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is not a book you sit down and read from cover to cover; it is a reference book. The blurb on the back cover says it covers subjects from "Aslan, the Great Lion, to Zardeenah, the mysterious lady of the night", but it does cover a few subjects, alphabetically, before it gets to Aslan. Organized in an A to Z format, it is easy to look up any subject found in the Chronicles of Narnia and get a third party perspective on the matter.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I was about 27 or 28 when I read these books and I enjoyed them just as much as a child would. Its categorized as a children's book but,it is not immature and an adult can enjoy it just as much as their children. It has plenty of characters,adventure,and excitement. I loved the lessons woven within the books to be learned. I would recommend that every child read these books, and maybe even adults as well.

[coco's reading · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you're a fan of Narnia, this is great to have around, especially if you forget names and such. I've read this off and on since the beginning of the year, learning more about C. S. Lewis and the series he created, though I didn't technically read all of this; the last few appendixes didn't seem interesting, so I just skimmed through them, but I read the entire beginning and the encyclopedia.

[Joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent reference for anyone exploring Narnia who wants to do any factchecking. It's written dictionary style, but I read the whole thing when I was on my Narnia kick a decade or so ago. (Man, I'm old.)

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Terrific resource. Essentially a Narnian encyclopaedia. It has atrocities, especially the jaw on sexism, but I do recommend it to anyone who can't tell Trufflehunter from Trumpkin. It could use some updating though, especially in the realm of literary connections.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superbly referenced and well-organized companion to the "Chronicles of Narnia" for teenagers and adults. Written by respected scholar Paul Ford, this provides "everything" you would ever need to know while reading the "Chronicles.." It is like taking a college course.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great guide to the magical world of Narnia. It also discusses many of the Christian allusions and metaphors found through the Chronicles of Narnia.

[Trippp Grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book to own. I'll always refer back to this. Or skim it to refresh my memories.

[Douglas Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great and appalling, depending.

[Gky]

Good book

[Sarah K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haha okay, yes I'm a dork, but I LOVE all this stuff about the background of Narnia and the encyclopedia is quite helpful!

[Julia Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing! It's like a Narnian dictionary!

[Lee Anne]

A must for all Narnia officionados!