Re-read The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

I used to read these books annually but as I was rereading them I had no recollection whatsoever. They were good though.

i recalled enjoying this book greatly, right up until the very end part, when i was eleven. The ending really bothered me at the time, so much that i never wanted read any of the rest of the series. (and I was a voracious reader growing up) So i was curious, especially after seeing the recent film, to see if i’d have the same kind of reaction, having a more distanced, and comprehensive perspective now. I’d long realized the christian mythology connections, learned & read of C.S. Lewis’ extensive Christian Apologist writings, & studied comparative religion in college….

What i came a way with was 2 things: A- C.S. Lewis is a wonderfully writer, and absolutely charming how he “brings the reader in…” to the story with his little asides and comments on the action; B- it is both amazing & funny how early we gravitate toward or reject fromover-arching themes we’ll follow all our lives. What i’d remember most prominately from the book was Lucy and Susan crying over the body of the slain Aslan. When i studied NT scripture for the 1st time in my 30’s (not having been raised any faith), what i was most struck by was Gethesemane and the Mary’s weeping at the tomb of Jesus. Moreover, i became more & more fascinated with stories connected to Mary Of Magdala, not as the mis-rerepresented “Luke’s sinner”, but as an empowered Pharasic Judaic Priestess, the “Apostle to the Apostles”, and possible bride of Jesus. And likewise, i rejected the NT end of the canonized Gospels (not to tramp on any one else’s beliefs; this is just what is true for me) I cannot point to anything in my lifetime that has lead me on this path, but despite not knowing there was any connection between the two “stories”, i responded to them in the very same way, across many many years…

I asked for the books for Christmas.

preferably, before I see the movie. It’s sitting on my shelf. I just have to pick it up and start…

It was still magical, though very simple to read. This time around it was interesting to look for more symbolism. I don’t think I’ll bother reading the whole series, I’d rather read grown up books for awhile now.

It’s such an odd feeling to look back on a childhood book with adult eyes. The writing is so simple… But the characters are still interesting. Ah, Turkish Delight! I always thought of it as some kind of delicious hot turkey tidbits when I was little. The descriptions are really great – especially the snow queen.

On the one hand, I want to reread this, because it was one of my favorite childhood books. And I would like to see the movie. But on the other hand, I’m not sure how it will read now, much older etc. Like going back and watching your favorite T.V. show and realizing it wasn’t actually that good. I don’t want to ruin it.

I had read them as a child and I wanted my husband to read them too. After some years and he hadn’t read them, I suggested I start reading them aloud to him. We both enjoyed them and he would read chapters to me when I got tired and we went through the whole Narnia series this way, one winter’s evenings. Reading aloud made the scenes and the characters really come alive. Since I had already read them to myself several times before this, I find I can remember stretches of prose very well now. And any time we pass a lantern-type street light, off by itself, it is automatically “lantern waste”.

Greetings to all of the fair city of War Drobe, in the land of Spare Oom.

C.S. stands for Clive Staples! No wonder he used the initials.

If it’s good, I might just have to re-read the whole series.