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The Last Battle
June 2024: Europe
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The Last Battle by C.S. Lewis - 2 stars (Steeplechase)
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Firmly in last place even without the jarring and wholly unnecessary stereotyping. It’s a very frustrating book. I’d happily re-read any of the others but life is too short to pick this one up again.
I wonder if Lewis was unsure of how to end the series, and since it is Christian allegory, decided to end it the same way as the Bible? The allegory of an allegory just didn't work at all, IMO. And I hate to think of the nightmares it would have given me as a child.
Nightmares is right. I think I was about nine when I first read this and it was horrific. I tried it again about ten years later when I got the box set in case it made more sense, and I disliked it even more. It hasn’t detracted from my fondness for the rest of the series though. I suspect you’re right and he wasn’t sure how to finish. Though he might have thought that was a positive and natural ending I guess (!)
This is the last book in the Chronicles of Narnia series. It is an allegory of the Biblical book of Revelation (basically an allegory of an allegory). It tells the story of the end of Narnia. In this storyline, Narnia is threatened from within by a false Aslan. It is much darker than the previous books with more violent content, including murders and other deaths that may be disturbing to younger children who have developed a love for the characters.
The story is marred by its depiction of the “bad guys” using racial stereotypes (though one of them becomes a hero.) The distasteful term “darkies” makes an appearance. For me, this book is much less satisfying than the others. The Christian allegory is blatant in this one, and portions seem to be forced. These portions intrude on the story, and are quite noticeable, whereas most of the other books (excepting The Magician’s Nephew) can be read as pure fantasy if one so desires.
This wraps up my reading of the entire Chronicles of Narnia series. I liked some more than others. My favorites are: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe; Prince Caspian; The Voyage of the Dawn Treader; and The Horse and His Boy (4 stars). I liked but did not love The Silver Chair and The Magician’s Nephew (3 stars). The Last Battle comes in last place.
PBT Steeplechase - tagged "strong female" x10:
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Also tagged "europe" x13:
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