A little while ago, I introduced you to the chronologically first Narnia book. Now, I’m going to introduce you to the book that started it all and is possibly one of the most well known of the seven.
We are immediately introduced to the four young heroes and heroines: Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy. They are currently in the country to escape the World War II air raids in London. Despite plans of exploring the mansion’s expansive grounds, a huge downpour makes them turn their exploration to the inside of the house. One room looks largely unimportant, seeing as it is empty aside from a large wardrobe. The only one remotely interested in this large piece of furniture is little Lucy. Upon finding it is full of one of her favorite things, fur coats, she immediately steps in, only to shortly find herself in a snowy wood that houses a single lamppost and a friendly faun by the name of Mr. Tumnus.
After a thoroughly enjoyable visit, and a fearful revelation, Lucy returns to discover that no time has passed and none of her older siblings believe her fantastic story. But sometime later when Edmund follows her in, she hopes to have a supporter, only to be betrayed. What is happening? Who is this White Witch that all of Narnia fears so? Are the children really part of an ancient prophecy? Who is this Aslan? And, does the Professor know more than he’s saying?
Okay, so I have grown up with this particular tale in both film and book form. I loved it, although it wasn’t really until I discovered The Magician’s Nephew that I found out what the Professor was hiding. Now, until Focus on the Family produced their audio drama of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, I only knew BBC’s version (with people in oversized beaver costumes) so I was used to the kids being really close in age. Then in the 2000's, out came this new version from Disney. Having been disappointed a few years prior by another book to video transition, I was hesitant. But once I saw it, I found that I really liked it, even preferring it over the version I watched since I was a kid. But, enough with movie talk, let’s get back to the book itself.
This book that first introduced readers to the land of Narnia started with the idea of a faun carrying an umbrella and packages while walking in a snow laden forest. From that single image, was born all the beautiful stories from Narnia. And in a way, this book may have the some of the strongest comparisons between its events and events from the Bible. Aslan’s sacrificing his life in the place of a traitor, the mocking of the Witch’s hordes, and the joyous resurrection all coincide with Jesus’ death and resurrection.
C. S. Lewis wrote this tale in seventeen chapters with nearly a hundred pages. Again, as with The Magician’s Nephew I am having to base this on a compilation version of all seven books and they have taken out most of Pauline Baynes’s illustrations, aside from the little bits at the start of each chapter. (I will say that I personally think one can see the progression of the illustrator’s style and skill shifting as you travel through the books. Or maybe it’s the artist in me.)
I think that this story will always hold a special place in my heart. It was among my first true fantasy books that I encountered, if you don’t count fairytales. And, as such, I thoroughly recommend it to anyone. Again, the style is older, having been written in the mid-1900's or so, but that only adds to the charm and magic once you settle into its rhythm. This is certainly a book where you can experience it multiple times and still discover something you never noticed before.
So, dear fantasy, classics, Christian, or Narnia fan readers, please find yourself a copy and discover how the original tale is so memorable and popular even to this modern day.
Until next time.
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