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Patrick's Reviews > The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (Chronicles of Narnia, #1)
by C.S. Lewis
by C.S. Lewis
Patrick's review
bookshelves: best-books-for-kids, books-i-read-growing-up, books-i-would-blurb
Nov 20, 2015
bookshelves: best-books-for-kids, books-i-read-growing-up, books-i-would-blurb
Read from November 20 to December 30, 2015
This is the first book where I chronicled my thoughts as I read through it with my son. I don't know how easy it is for y'all to access the record of those here on Goodreads, but if you're looking for a detailed account of my thoughts on the book, you can look there.
I'll say this. I've read a lot of books to my little boy these last couple years, and I can honestly say that This book is among the best. Good, tight writing, good description. Good action. Also there's not a lot of dead space or trashy empty dialogue that just seems to be there to take up space. (That's become a particular peeve lately. And when you're reading a book aloud, it becomes really obvious.)
The British slang will be a stumbling block to some. But it's not too bad. And there were a few slight pieces of sexism that I ignored, skipped over, or re-worded on the fly. But honestly, this book was written 60 years ago, and you need to cut it a little slack because of that. And in my opinion, it only needs a little slack. Truth be told, I've read books written this year that have ten times the sexism this one does.
Also, I'd like to make it clear that this is the FIRST book of the Narnia Chronicles. This is where you start the series. I'm sorry if you read them in the wrong order, but if you did, it's better than you admit it now, come to grips, and move on with your life knowing the truth.
I'll say this. I've read a lot of books to my little boy these last couple years, and I can honestly say that This book is among the best. Good, tight writing, good description. Good action. Also there's not a lot of dead space or trashy empty dialogue that just seems to be there to take up space. (That's become a particular peeve lately. And when you're reading a book aloud, it becomes really obvious.)
The British slang will be a stumbling block to some. But it's not too bad. And there were a few slight pieces of sexism that I ignored, skipped over, or re-worded on the fly. But honestly, this book was written 60 years ago, and you need to cut it a little slack because of that. And in my opinion, it only needs a little slack. Truth be told, I've read books written this year that have ten times the sexism this one does.
Also, I'd like to make it clear that this is the FIRST book of the Narnia Chronicles. This is where you start the series. I'm sorry if you read them in the wrong order, but if you did, it's better than you admit it now, come to grips, and move on with your life knowing the truth.
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Reading Progress
| 11/20/2015 | marked as: | currently-reading | ||
| 11/20/2015 | page 3 |
|
1.0% |
"I tried reading this with my boy a couple years ago when he was 4. But we stopped early on. The vocabulary was a problem. He's 6 now, so we're trying again. I didn't think he'd remember our first read. But early on we hit an unfamiliar word. Me: Do you know what a wardrobe is? He nods. Me: What is it? He hesitates, uncertain, then brightens up and says: It's what you go through to get into Narnia! Indeed." 20 comments |
| 11/22/2015 | page 48 |
|
23.0% | "Edmund is such a little prat." 23 comments |
| 11/28/2015 | page 68 |
|
33.0% |
"Having recently read the Hobbit to my boy, I have to say, this is a better children's book. The writing is much tighter. The story moves faster. The language is cleaner. I feel a little disloyal saying that. I'm a huge Tolkien fan. But it's true." 16 comments |
| 12/01/2015 | page 84 |
|
40.0% |
"I am crying all the way through this book. Not even at the sad parts. My boy is very tolerant of this, though who knows what he's really thinking about the fact that I can't talk about Aslan without getting teary. I haven't even gotten to the stone table yet. I have no idea what I'm going to do when I hit that." 26 comments |
| 12/07/2015 | page 120 |
|
58.0% | "Oot is only 6, and I'm worried that this book might be too emotionally stressful for him. When we read the part where Peter fought the Wolf, he reached out and held my hand with both of his. I'll have to ask him if he wants to keep reading this with me, or if he'd like to read a different book...." 19 comments |
| 12/13/2015 | page 150 |
|
72.0% |
"I asked my son if he wanted to keep reading this book, or if he'd prefer to read something else. We could always come back to it later. (We did this with the Hobbit back in the day.) He thought about it for a moment, then said, "Why don't we put this one on hold for a while." He seemed relieved when he said it. I'm glad I asked." 5 comments |
| 12/15/2015 | page 151 |
|
73.0% |
"Interesting development. Oot and I started reading the Graveyard book. But after a chapter or so, he said he'd like to go back to reading about Narnia. 'It was only spooky in parts," he said. "It was really interesting."" 13 comments |
| 12/24/2015 | page 190 |
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92.0% | "Reading the section with the stone table to my little boy wasn't nearly as bad as I'd feared it would be...." 6 comments |
| 12/30/2015 | marked as: | read | ||
Comments (showing 1-37 of 37) (37 new)
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Melissa
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Dec 30, 2015 07:54AM
I love your reviews.You never fail to make me smile.
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I am so glad to see someone else fighting for them to be read in the correct order. When my nephew got these books, I put them in the correct order to be read, even though the numbers on the spine said differently. He won't loan them out to friends unless they agree to read them in the correct order. Thank you for being someone who sees the importance of this. :-)
Just out of curiosity, when do you read "The Horse and His Boy?"
For those interested, if you click the "see review" link you can view all the progress updates.
Goodreads has them listed in the correct order on their series page. The Horse and His Boy is #5. I first read this series when I was 7, then again when I was 20. I daresay it was better the second time!
What's the right order?? I read Lion, nephew, horse, caspian, dawn and now I'm reading silver chair
I bought the books as a collection for my son, so I started out with the first book. But yeah, it was a great book/series for my son. Glad you and yours liked it.
amen to the right order, Pat!
Igor wrote: "What's the right order?? I read Lion, nephew, horse, caspian, dawn and now I'm reading silver chair"There's a series page for both the publication (aka right) and chronological order of the books here on GR. ;)
(personally I think either of the two is fine, but my dad read the books to me in publication order so of course I would agree that it's a better way to start.)
Lion, Caspian, Dawn Treader, Silver Chair, Horse, Nephew, then Last Battle is the correct order.
Wait......wait, is this for real....? Why is there a different order to the books? Who says and how many people know?? Why is my literary world upside down right now?!? Damn it Rothfuss! Haha..........but seriously, I'm going to need somebody to help a foolish feeling Narnia fan out pronto
I don't think there's a right or wrong order. It comes down to how you'd like to read the story, chronological order or publication order. ^^ Either way, you're gonna have so much fun reading these books!
Hannah wrote: "Wait......wait, is this for real....? Why is there a different order to the books? Who says and how many people know?? Why is my literary world upside down right now?!? Damn it Rothfuss! Haha........."There's a publication order, starting with Lion, and a chronological order, starting with Magician's Nephew (which was always my favourite).
Instead of editing for sexism, explain why you feel uncomfortable with those sections of the story.
Reading The Magician's Nephew first is just as criminal as showing Episodes 1-3 first to a Star Wars newbie. It's unfortunate that publishers have taken a single letter from C.S. Lewis to a child and changed the whole order they publish the books in. I tracked down the original set I had as a kid so I could have a set in proper order for my kids (and my wife stands by that order too). We've read TLTWATW to our 6 1/2 year old twice and he loves it.
Good books :) though editing for sexism? As you mentioned they were written 60 years ago but editing hardly changes the sentiments of the past. I bought a board game recently set in the Arabian Nights. The market had slaves for purchase and, naturally, people complained... which led to a reprint with no slaves - yet ivory remained. Just because we don't like something doesn't mean it wasn't a part of history and surely we need context for why such things are wrong? Perhaps, as a comment suggested, people could explain why it is uncomfortable or wrong even in context - rather than simply whitewashing or glossing over it.
Jerome- when his son is older and more capable of critical thinking, I'm sure he'll revisit the story and see that for himself. I agree that it's important to know the past for what it was and not for what we want it to be. But for the time being, he's a small child who is still learning about the world. You leave sexism and racism in books and when you read it, you feel disgust. As a child, you don't feel that. You think that that's how the world is and learn that that's okay.
When I was very small my grandmother used to pretend to be a reading machine whose buttons were the large flowers on the 40s style button-up dresses she always wore. She read the Narnia Chronicles one fantastic summer when I got to stay with her, just the two of us. I spent the rest of the year closing my eyes, believing really hard and trying *not* to touch the back of the closet. The Narnia books are incredibly important and beautiful. And they can, and should, be enjoyed as an artefact of their era, in spite of their sexism, classism and religious propaganda.
Thank you my fellow readers! I'm actually pretty excited to read these again as an adult in the other order!
"Also, I'd like to make it clear that this is the FIRST book of the Narnia Chronicles. This is where you start the series. I'm sorry if you read them in the wrong order, but if you did, it's better than you admit it now, come to grips, and move on with your life knowing the truth."-Rothfuss
Im curious about the sexism. Is it boys play with swords girls with dolls, or is there more to it?
August wrote: "Im curious about the sexism. Is it boys play with swords girls with dolls, or is there more to it?"IMO, people are reading into things that aren't really there, but to each their own.
I don't get why people are so uptight about the "proper " order. you read them in the order you will enjoy. just because the books are numbered a certain way doesn't mean chronological or some other order is wrong. get over yourselves.
The magicians nephew is the first book
I got these as a box set from a garage sale and the Magician's Nephew is titled book 1 so I guess I'll just have to wing it lol
I just finished The Magician's Nephew- definitely read it first. C.S. Lewis actually wanted it that way. Just look up Narnia chronological order. :)
The magicians nephew is the first book! I'm sorry if you didn't and think that it isn't but just humour the poor dead guy!
i really loved this book 'i read it . after reading i fell like that i went to a dream of magic and then came back.
Is it a good read for an adult? also, what if i have seen the first movie already? will the book be much better ?
Hey text me
Karla wrote: "Is it a good read for an adult? also, what if i have seen the first movie already? will the book be much better ?"Yes, it's a great read for an adult-- you get to the action a lot quicker; there's not so much extrapolation; but it's certainly not lacking in depth. Seeing the movie doesn't matter-- you might be spoiled for some of the big events, but the book will be worth it.
Hi ebryone i was just seeing it uwoild like to be my friend im nine years old
I think all of the books rule!
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S.Lewis is very intriguing book that is written in a very exciting way that will keep you hooked the entire book. There is a lot of references to Christianity with a devil like figure and a god like figure. The book battles light and dark on a large scale and tells how it all unfolds. In the beginning, a group of four siblings get sent to live with a professor during World War Two. When the kids settle in they find out there wardrobe isn't so ordinary. The children go on a epic adventure and find out the world they are in is magic. The children learn good from bad and go through a lot of experiences that change the way they look at life. The children learn to lead and to respect others. The children also go through hardships that they have to push through together.
The book had me hooked the entire time. I enjoyed all the action and enjoyed how the the author made references to Christianity throughout the book. The book is a very good book and I would recommend it to anyone who loves action and wants to keep reading cause they want it to keep going. Some people may not like the book because it is a book based on Christian beliefs but I think no matter who you are the book is worth the read and can relate to a lot of people. One of the major parts in the book that relates to Christianity is when Aslan a perfect being agrees to be killed in Edmunds place and is killed on the stone table and rises from the dead. Aslan says "when a willing victim who committed no treachery was killed in a traitors stead,the table would crack and death itself would start working backwards." This represents the story of Jesus on the cross and his resurrection. I learned a lot from this book and I was very intrigued through the entire thing. I would strongly recommend it, it's worth the read.
I love this book my English teacher told me and read it to me
