The Last Battle

by C. S. Lewis

The last in The Chronicles of Narnia series iss a short, quick read. Aslan shows up unexpectedly and commands the people and animals to do things that appear contrary to his previous benevolent teachings and actions. King Tirian is beside himself and calls for help from Eustace and Jill. Of course, it is not the real Aslan but a donkey dressed up in a lion's costume who only appears to his subjects at night. That symbolism made me smile.

As the title suggests this is the last great battle and is symbolic of the last battle talked about in the Book of Revelations in the Bible.

I enjoyed reading this series very much, but felt this book ended a bit too abruptly. My mind didn't stay focused on it as well as the others in the series. Can't say as it was the book's fault or mine. I may give it another try in the future.

I do love this cover and would like to buy the whole series with this type of artwork, but I've been unable to locate them. I bought what was advertised as this, but I received a different set. Guess all I can do is keep my eyes open.

The Silver Chair

by C.S. Lewis

Eustace returns to Narnia with a new friend, Jill Pole. Aslan tells them that King Caspian's son is alive and they must find him and return him to Narnia. The children are aided by a rather pessimistic marsh-wiggle named Puddleglum. I delevloped a liking for this Eeyore-like character because, even though he was a wet blanket, he was brave and courageous.

I was tickled when Jill's nurse called her a poppet. The only other time I had heard the word, poppet, it was in reference to Lisa Snellings cute little artwork. I stole this picture from Bookfool's blog to show you what they look like in case you've never seen them.

It seems the word poppet comes from the old English meaning a small child or doll. Who knew? Some look on poppets as lucky charms.

Voyage of the Dawn Treader

by C. S. Lewis

Another delightful tale in the Chronicles of Narnia series. This one did not include Peter and Susan, but it did include the two younger children and their cousin, Eustace. The 3 children were in Eustace's bedroom when the picture on the wall came to life and they went sailing back to Narnia on the Dawn Treader.

They join Prince Caspian on his search for seven of his father's friends who were banned from the kingdom by his evil uncle. The children have many grand adventures.

One of my favorite parts is when Aslan helps Eustace painfully peel of the dragon skin. Eustace has to start the process himself, but he is unable to finish without Aslan's help. In fact, the greater part has to be done by Aslan. Very beautiful imagery and meaning.

The Horse and His Boy

by C.S. Lewis
I am so glad I decided to read all the books in the Narnia series. I'm enjoying each one so much.

"The tale begins with a poor slave boy named Shasta escaping from his adopted fisherman father who plans to sell him to a brutish stranger. A dignified talking war horse named Bree helps Shasta flee. The horse and his boy hope to travel north to Narnia, and encounter numerous adventures and strange characters. The most memorable supporting characters are another escaped child, a tough girl named Aravis, and her talking mare called Hwin." -The School Library Journal

The Magician's Nephew

By C.S. Lewis

I've read The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and watched two different movie versions, but that was my only dip into the world of Narnia, until now. My daughter Katie has read all the books and has encouraged me for years to do the same.

She informs me that even though this was not the first one Lewis wrote, it is the first in the series. I enjoyed it every bit as much as The Lion... C.S. Lewis figured out so many beautiful truths about good and evil after his passage through atheism. What a brilliant mind and soul he had. On top of those gifts, he has the ability to write beautiful stories filled with symbolic allegories.

Uncle Andrew is the magician who gives his nephew Digory this sound nugget of advice.
"Now the trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed."

The story is about the adventures of Digory, Polly and a few people touching them as they slipped on the magic rings that took them to the land of Narnia. Oh, and the horse. We learn the origins of the evil witch/queen Jadis who we meet again in The Lion...

There's a very funny scene when the animals of Narnia try to decide what Uncle Andrew is. "There!" said several voices. "It isn't an animal at all. It's not alive."
"I tell you, it is an animal," said the Bulldog. "Smell it for yourself."
"Smelling isn't everything," said the Elephant.
"Why," said the Bulldog, "if a fellow can't trust his nose, what is he to trust?"
"Well, his brains perhaps," she replied mildly.
They finally decide he is a tree and try to plant him head down. The discussion is funny because at this point Uncle Andrew is not much of a hero figure.

I like this passage that gives hope to those who have met or know of Aslan. "If ever they were sad or afraid or angry, the thought of all that golden goodness, and the feeling that it was still there, quite close, just around some corner or just behind some door, would come back and make them sure, deep down inside, that all was well."

This is excellent YA/children/adult literature. Next in line will be a rereading of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.