Hubert ’s answer to “In what order should I read the series?” > Likes and Comments

My (1984 Fontana Lions) edition lists the above as the 'reading order', with this additional note prior to the frontispiece:
" 'This is a very important story,' explains the author right at the beginning, 'because it shows how all the comings and goings between our own world and the land of Narnia first began.' "

Same order I read them as a kid!

I found it tremendously exciting after having experienced the world of Narnia throughout the first five books to find out the origins afterward. It was so much more mysterious and magical. Therefore, I think The Magician's Nephew should definitely be read in the order it was published.

I agree with Max - I just listened to the audiobook and it was really cool recognizing where things were going. I think that reading it without context would not mean much. Although chronologically this book does come first, reading after at least the Pensivies stories makes the most sense to me.