Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*, Bad Girls Deadlift]

Nienna wrote: "I had started the series years ago and stopped. I want to say I started with The Magician's Nephew but I don't remember anything about it. Although, I do suspect who it is about."

Welp, if you started with TMN, I can see why you never finished. lol

[Kathy]

I'm definitely glad we decided to go with the publication order.

[Nyssa]

Kathy wrote: "I'm definitely glad we decided to go with the publication order."

Same here.

[Lee]

I started Prince Caspian and I keep thinking of the end of Lion, Witch, and Wardrobe. (view spoiler)[ Peter, Susan, Edmund & Lucy lived in Narnia for years. They ruled as Kings and Queens. And it's assumed they became adults, or at least young adults. But they get sent back as though it never happened. I know we don't see much of them at 'home' but this had to have some kind of lasting affect on them. (hide spoiler)]

[colleen the convivial curmudgeon, Not a book hipster!]

I'm about 43% in. So far I'm liking this one a bit better than the first - especially once we get to Caspian.

There's something about the kids that just kinda rubs me the wrong way... Caspian's story, while familiar, felt a bit more... I dunno... meaty?

Anyway...

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*, Bad Girls Deadlift]

Colleen wrote: "I'm about 43% in. So far I'm liking this one a bit better than the first - especially once we get to Caspian.

There's something about the kids that just kinda rubs me the wrong way... Caspian's s..."

I can understand, somewhat. Caspian's story is a little more fraught with danger than TLWW.

[Kathy]

I'm about 1/3 of the way in. I'm definitely liking it. I like Caspian (view spoiler)[and his love of the old Narnia (hide spoiler)].

[Lee]

I liked the allegory of Lions, Witch, Wardrobe better. But I thought Prince Caspian was the more enjoyable book. The characters seemed to have more personalty too. And I actually liked Edmund better in this one.

[Nyssa]

I'm 1/3 of the way through Prince Caspian ((view spoiler)[ The Prince just met the Fauns (hide spoiler)]) and I can't seem to read it fast enough! I want to know (view spoiler)[ if the kids' story will be believed and accepted (hide spoiler)], I also want to see what happens when the kids meet the Prince, which I'm assuming they will.

Plus, as of right now, I too am liking Edmund more than before, however, I still don't trust him completely.

[Kathy]

I finished this book friday. I like Edmund much more in this book as well. I liked how he (view spoiler)[kept backing up Lucy when everyone doubted her. Even when he, too, didn't believe her. He stood by her side no matter what! (hide spoiler)]

And I have to say how much Susan annoyed me! (view spoiler)[Despite her being proved wrong when she doubted Lucy before, she not only doubted her but was mean and rude also! (hide spoiler)]

[Lee]

Susan didn't just doubt (view spoiler)[ Lucy, she admits that she did believe her, but she denied her. And Aslan. That's worse than not believing her. I think Peter though honestly didn't believe Lucy. Or did he admit to it as well? I don't remember. Either way, I think this is the reason neither Susan or Peter can come back to Narnia. They don't believe in it anymore. (hide spoiler)]

I'm itching to get to the next book but I'm trying to be patient.

[Kathy]

I think the difference between Peter and Susan was (view spoiler)[how they treated Lucy. Peter might have disbelieved her, but he was never mean. And I agree that his disbelief was due to his outgrowing Narnia. (hide spoiler)]

[Jackie]

I can't say that I liked Edmund more in 'Prince Caspian'. (view spoiler)[ I liked that he backed up Lucy, but I hated his DLF nickname for Trumpkin and his gender biased comments about girls and woods. I know the comments are sign of the times that this book was written, but it still annoyed me and didn't endear him to me. For the most part I found him slightly obnoxious and I can't point my finger on any one thing. (hide spoiler)]

I found Susan annoying as well. I agree with Nienna's comment.

Peter and Susan- (view spoiler)[ Kind of amazing how much difference a year makes! I wouldn't think that anyone could outgrow Narnia after the adventures they had, but I guess as maturity sets in they can talk themselves out of it and deny that it ever happened. (hide spoiler)]

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*, Bad Girls Deadlift]

Nienna wrote: "Susan didn't just doubt [spoilers removed]

I'm itching to get to the next book but I'm trying to be patient."

Yes! This was the worse part, to me. But it (her actions) are foreshadowing for later books. I think/suppose.

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*, Bad Girls Deadlift]

I need to move on! I really want to read dawn treader.

[Nyssa]

I just finished about 20 minutes ago. I really liked this book! The storytelling was excellent!

Additional thoughts:

1. I was afraid for a minute that Edmund was going to be whiney again, and was happy that that wasn't the case.
2. Susan really was a &!%@# this time around. I was very disappointed in her.
3. I have a feeling that Lucy, while still very child like, will be extraordinary when all is said and done.
4. I think the decision about Peter and Susan had more to do with maturity than belief. (view spoiler)[They no longer needed a constant, tangible "spiritual guide". Peter already possessed both strong moral fiber and a strong belief system. Susan's was tested and she "saw the light" in the end. They can now go out "into the real world" armed with said belief. (hide spoiler)].

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*, Bad Girls Deadlift]

Nyssa wrote: "I just finished about 20 minutes ago. I really liked this book! The storytelling was excellent!

Additional thoughts:

1. I was afraid for a minute that Edmund was going to be whiney again, and was..."


I agree with the spoiler.

[Lee]

Jackie wrote: "I can't say that I liked Edmund more in 'Prince Caspian'. [spoilers removed]"

I agree that Edmund's attitude (view spoiler)[ towards his sister is a product of the day the book was written but I took it in more of a sibling rivalry kind of way. (hide spoiler)]

Another thought I had about Edmund is that (view spoiler)[ he believed Lucy but he didn't necessarily believe in Aslan or Narnia. I wonder if this has any significance. (hide spoiler)]

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*, Bad Girls Deadlift]

Those are great points. I never thought about #2.

[Kathy]

There is definitely something about Narnia that grew on them. The longer they were there, the (view spoiler)[more strongly they believed. I also wonder if the "read" world had to wash away from them in order for them to see Narnia for what it truly was. (hide spoiler)] Does that sound weird?

[Lee]

Not weird at all. I get it. I think you're saying that the longer they're in Narnia (view spoiler)[ the more real Narnia becomes and the less real their own world becomes. If you remember in the end of the 1st book they had forgotten where they came from and hope they had gotten to Narnia in the first place. (hide spoiler)]

I think you're right.

[Lee]

There are so much potential in these books I find myself disappointed that Lewis didn't delve deeper into the themes he wrote.

(view spoiler)[
Edmund's betrayal and what it would have done to the relationship between him and his siblings.

How Aslan's sacrifice effected Edmund. Although, if I remember correctly he doesn't know (yet?) that Aslan sacrificed himself for him.

And how did the children cope with going back to the real world after being in Narnia for years. Not only were they gone for a long time. But they aged. This had to have messed with their minds.

Also, would you believe you had been to Narnia. Or would you think it had been all a shared fantasy? (hide spoiler)]

[Kathy]

I get what you mean Nienna. I just wonder with their being children's books, would delving into those issue be too deep?

[Lee]

You're right. I wouldn't expect these issues to be in a book meant for children. And that I'm thinking of these questions at all means that they are in the book in some way.

[colleen the convivial curmudgeon, Not a book hipster!]

Speaking of the writing/gender stuff being a sign of the times, I loved when the two groups come together and we get this: (view spoiler)["Peter leaned forward, put his arms round the beast and kissed the furry head: it wasn't a girlish thing for him to do, because he was the High King."

Let's not for a moment think our High Kind might lower himself to do anything... *gasp*... "girlish". (hide spoiler)]

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*, Bad Girls Deadlift]

Kathy wrote: "I get what you mean Nienna. I just wonder with their being children's books, would delving into those issue be too deep?"

I think it would be too deep.

I mean, I started reading very early but I read these for the first time in elementary school. I could imagine that I might have been deterred if it was *too* deep.

[Lee]

I agree.

Maybe I should look into Lewis' adult fiction. I read Out of the Silent Planet years ago. But I remember I thought it was mostly boring with some really interesting ideas.

Anyway. I'm looking forward to finishing Narnia too. From what I've heard about it, it's just made me more interested.

[colleen the convivial curmudgeon, Not a book hipster!]

Finished Caspian tonight. While in the beginning, during Caspian's tale, I was liking it more than LW&W, by the end I would say it was on par, or maybe slightly under.

I just don't like the freaking P kids for some reason - LOL.

Anyway -

I agree with Nenia that (view spoiler)[it would've been nice to explore some of things, especially the being adults then being kids thing again. I also agree there seems to be an element of forgetting one place while you're in the other, and they kept talking about how Narnia was working its magic on the kids nad making them more like the kings and queens, but I would've liked to see a bit more when they're back to their normal lives.

I disagree that they couldn't explore this at all in a kids book, but I think Lewis was going for a more adventure story and not too keen on delving into things. But I think it could be done, and done well, without it turning too adult and detracting from the story. (hide spoiler)]

As to Edmund - (view spoiler)[I did like him more in this story, especially for sticking up for Lucy - though the D.L.F. thing definitely annoyed me.

Of course, Peter kinda annoyed me with his dismissing of Reepacheep and the mice all the time, too... and you've already covered Susan.

Speaking of Susan - I'm so glad the womenfolk were kept out of battle again. Wouldn't want to worry their precious little heads. ;)

I did think they could've made more use of Lucy's potion, though. I'm sure there would've been other people who needed it.

Though, of course, Aslan could just breathe on people and return them to health. And destroy their houses in the process! Good thing she'll probably move into the castle now... (hide spoiler)]

[colleen the convivial curmudgeon, Not a book hipster!]

One more thing - about time. I thought it was kind of funny when the kids were talking to the dwarf about being called and (view spoiler)[they said they were in the train station between 9 and 10, or something, and the dwarf said something like "yes, that was the time!"

Funny how aeons pass in one Earth year, and yet a day's time will be the same. ;) (hide spoiler)]

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*, Bad Girls Deadlift]

Nienna wrote: "I agree.

Maybe I should look into Lewis' adult fiction. I read Out of the Silent Planet years ago. But I remember I thought it was mostly boring with some really interesting ideas.

Anyway. I'm l..."

Yeah, the first one was the most boring of the three. I read all three and...I really, really enjoyed them! WHen they were first written they were considered Sci-fi but the science has outpaced the series more than quite a bit. I think it's considered science fantasy now.

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*, Bad Girls Deadlift]

Colleen wrote: "Finished Caspian tonight. While in the beginning, during Caspian's tale, I was liking it more than LW&W, by the end I would say it was on par, or maybe slightly under.

I just don't like the freak..."

lol

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*, Bad Girls Deadlift]

So, I couldn't help it. I moved on to The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.

There's a indie writer I know who does feminist deconstruction - Pulchritude, Colleen - and she's been doing Dawn Treader lately.

I'm not sure if I want to read it, TBH. She's pretty...jaded, I think. And I don't know if her deconstruction will ruin my read/childhood or not.

[colleen the convivial curmudgeon, Not a book hipster!]

Ah, yes, Pulchritude.

I'd say not to read it. Or at least read it later. It probably would sour your current reading a bit.

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*, Bad Girls Deadlift]

Colleen wrote: "Ah, yes, Pulchritude.

I'd say not to read it. Or at least read it later. It probably would sour your current reading a bit."

Yeah, that's what I was thinking.

[colleen the convivial curmudgeon, Not a book hipster!]

I started 'Dawn Treader' today. Eustace makes me nostalgic for LW&W Edmund, that's how annoying he is.

[Kathy]

You guys are seriously tempting me to start "DawnTreader", too!

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*, Bad Girls Deadlift]

Colleen wrote: "I started 'Dawn Treader' today. Eustace makes me nostalgic for LW&W Edmund, that's how annoying he is."

Me, too! OMG, I wanted to strangle the little prat within the first few pages.

Caspian had the patience of a saint.

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*, Bad Girls Deadlift]

Kathy wrote: "You guys are seriously tempting me to start "DawnTreader", too!"

I'm enjoying it.

[Lee]

If you all are reading it, I'm gonna too. :)

[colleen the convivial curmudgeon, Not a book hipster!]

Kathy wrote: "You guys are seriously tempting me to start "DawnTreader", too!"

I only started it for lack of anything else. Stupid library was closed today, and the next time it's open when I can get there is Monday!

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*, Bad Girls Deadlift]

I have Steelheart and Howl's moving castle from the library. I just cant get into steelheart but I'm going to renew shortly.

But I'm loving being able to pick up Dawn Treader.

[Lee]

I hate Eustace.

And I miss the (view spoiler)[ older children. (hide spoiler)]

[Lee]

Okay I read the chapters with the magician and his book and I have a problem...

(view spoiler)[ So Lewis is basically saying here that you shouldn't change yourself into something you're not. Which by the way, is a very good lesson especially today. But it is fine for someone else to change you into a freak against your will if its for your own good. I *think* he was saying to be happy with who you are but this part really bugged me. (hide spoiler)]

The thing at the beginning with Susan bugged me too (view spoiler)[ its suggested that Susan is the 'pretty one' so she has no interest in school things. So... Pretty people can't be intelligent? (hide spoiler)]

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*, Bad Girls Deadlift]

Nienna wrote: "Okay I read the chapters with the magician and his book and I have a problem...

[spoilers removed]

The thing at the beginning with Susan bugged me too [spoilers removed]"

First one: Is that from the Magician's Nephew? I haven't gotten to it yet. It was never a favorite so I barely remember it.

Re: 2 - IDK. Lewis is saying something there about Susan...but I am unsure of his point. (view spoiler)[Susan...is a problem for me from the beginning to the ending of this series. I - *think* that he's more concerned about her actions since she's pretty (I get the implication that she's aware that she is pretty). IDK, I *want* to say he's more concerned about her behavior BUT I don't really know. The puzzle of Susan has always slightly distressed me and I've never figured it out. Susan comes up again...I want to say in The Last Battle. (hide spoiler)]

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*, Bad Girls Deadlift]

Nienna wrote: "I hate Eustace.

And I miss the [spoilers removed]"

Yeah, I disliked Eustace from the beginning - especially since he seems to be a little serial killer in the making.

[Lee]

MrsJoseph (taking back my data & giving GR the middle finger) wrote: "Nienna wrote: "Okay I read the chapters with the magician and his book and I have a problem...

[spoilers removed]

The thing at the beginning with Susan bugged me too [spoilers removed]"

First on..."

Its a spoiler for the midpoint of Voyage of the Dawn Treader. There's a section about a magician and a book.

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*, Bad Girls Deadlift]

Nienna wrote: "MrsJoseph (taking back my data & giving GR the middle finger) wrote: "Nienna wrote: "Okay I read the chapters with the magician and his book and I have a problem...

[spoilers removed]

The thing a..."

Oooh! Yeah, I *barely* remember that section. I haven't gotten there quite yet...Maybe in a few chapters or so.

[Lee]

The thing about Susan that bothers me the most is (view spoiler)[ I wouldn't have had a problem with it if Lewis had said that Susan was more concerned with how she looked than she was about her school work. And that might be what he meant. But I read it, that Susan doesn't concern herself with school work because of her looks. (hide spoiler)]

[colleen the convivial curmudgeon, Not a book hipster!]

Well, obviously you can't (view spoiler)[ be pretty and smart. Just like you can't be into books and clothes. Duh. ;) (hide spoiler)]

[Nyssa]

I guess I'll have to read Dawn Treader this coming weekend.

Trying to stay away from all of the spoiler tags...