El león, la bruja y el ropero

Por C. S. Lewis

NARNIA... la tierra que está más allá del ropero, el país secreto que solo conocen Peter, Susan, Edmund y Lucy... el lugar donde comienza la aventura.

Lucy es la primera en encontrar el secreto del ropero en la vieja y misteriosa casa del profesor. Al principio, nadie le cree cuando cuenta sus aventuras en el país de Narnia. Sin embargo, pronto Edmund y luego Peter y Susan descubren la magia y conocen por sí mismos a Aslan, el Gran León. En un abrir y cerrar de ojos, su vida cambia para siempre.

Por primera vez, el lenguaje de los siete libros clásicos ha sido adaptado para el lector latinoamericano y editado para garantizar la coherencia de los nombres, personajes, lugares y acontecimientos dentro del universo de Narnia. Además, presentan las cubiertas e ilustraciones originales de Pauline Barnes.

Aunque forma parte de una saga, este es un libro independiente. Si quieres descubrir más sobre Narnia, puedes leer El caballo y su muchacho, el tercer libro de Las crónicas de Narnia.

The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe

NARNIA... the land beyond the wardrobe, the secret country that only Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy know... the place where adventure begins.

Lucy is the first to find the secret of the closet in the Professor's mysterious old house. At first, no one believes her when she tells of her adventures in the land of Narnia. Soon, however, Edmund and then Peter and Susan discover the magic and meet Aslan, the Great Lion, for themselves. In the blink of an eye, their lives change forever.

For the first time, the language of the seven classic books has been adapted for the Latin American reader and edited to ensure consistency of names, characters, places and events within the Narnia universe. In addition, they feature the original covers and illustrations by Pauline Barnes.

Although it is part of a saga, this is a stand-alone book. If you want to discover more about Narnia, you can read The Horse and His Boy, the third book of The Chronicles of Narnia.

• Idioma: Español
• Editorial: Thomas Nelson
• Fecha de lanzamiento: 16 may 2023
• ISBN: 9781400334605

C. S. Lewis

Clive Staples Lewis (1898–1963) was one of the intellectual giants of the twentieth century and arguably one of the most influential writers of his day. He was a Fellow and Tutor in English Literature at Oxford University until 1954, when he was unanimously elected to the Chair of Medieval and Renaissance Literature at Cambridge University, a position he held until his retirement. He wrote more than thirty books, allowing him to reach a vast audience, and his works continue to attract thousands of new readers every year. His most distinguished and popular accomplishments include Out of the Silent Planet, The Great Divorce, The Screwtape Letters, and the universally acknowledged classics in The Chronicles of Narnia. To date, the Narnia books have sold over 100 million copies and have been transformed into three major motion pictures.

Vista previa del libro

CAPÍTULO UNO

LUCY ENTRA EN UN ROPERO

Había una vez cuatro niños cuyos nombres eran Peter, Susan, Edmund y Lucy, y esta historia cuenta lo que les sucedió cuando los enviaron fuera de Londres durante la guerra, a causa de los ataques aéreos. Los llevaron a la casa de un viejo profesor que vivía en el medio del campo, a dieciséis kilómetros (diez millas) de la estación de trenes más cercana y a unos tres kilómetros (dos millas) de la oficina de correos más próxima. No tenía esposa y vivía en una casa muy grande con un ama de llaves, la señora Macready, y tres sirvientas. (Sus nombres eran Ivy, Margaret y Betty, pero no aparecen mucho en el relato). El profesor era un hombre muy mayor, con un pelo blanco y desgreñado que le crecía en la mayor parte de la cara, además de en la cabeza, y les cayó bien casi de inmediato a los niños; sin embargo, la primera noche, al recibirlos en la puerta principal, tenía un aspecto tan extraño que Lucy, la más joven, sintió un poco de miedo, y Edmund, quien le seguía en edad, tuvo que contener las ganas de reír y fingir por un rato que se sonaba la nariz.

Esa primera noche, en cuanto se despidieron del profesor y subieron a acostarse, los dos jovencitos fueron a la habitación de las niñas para comentar lo ocurrido.

—Sin duda hemos tenido una gran suerte —dijo Peter—. La pasaremos de maravilla aquí. Ese anciano profesor nos dejará hacer todo lo que queramos.

—Me pareció un anciano encantador —comentó Susan.

—¡Oh, ya basta! —exclamó Edmund, que estaba cansado y fingía no estarlo, algo que siempre lo ponía de mal humor—. No sigas hablando así.

—¿Así cómo? —preguntó Susan—. Además, ya es hora de que estés en la cama.

—Intentas hablar como mamá, —ripostó Edmund—. ¿Y quién eres tú para decirme cuándo debo ir a la cama? ¿Por qué no te duermes tú?

—¿No sería mejor que todos nos vayamos a la cama? —interrumpió Lucy—. Seguramente habrá problemas si nos oyen hablando aquí.

—No, no pasará nada —afirmó Peter—. Les digo que este es el tipo de casa en el que a nadie le importará lo que hagamos. Además, no nos oirán. Hay un recorrido de unos diez minutos desde aquí hasta el comedor, y cualquier cantidad de escaleras y pasillos en el medio.

—¿Qué es ese ruido? —dijo Lucy de repente. Nunca había estado en una casa tan grande y la idea de todos esos largos pasillos e hileras de puertas que conducían a habitaciones vacías empezaba a darle un poco de miedo.

—Es solo un pájaro, tonta —respondió Edmund.

—Es un búho —afirmó Peter—. Este debe ser un lugar maravilloso para las aves. Ahora me voy a la cama; mañana exploraremos. En un lugar como este se puede encontrar de todo. ¿Vieron las montañas cuando veníamos? ¿Y los bosques? Podría haber águilas y ciervos. Seguramente habrá halcones.

—¡Tejones! —exclamó Lucy.

—¡Zorros! —añadió Edmund.

—¡Y conejos! —apuntó Susan.

Sin embargo, la mañana siguiente trajo una lluvia constante, tan intensa que al mirar por la ventana no se veían ni las montañas ni los bosques, ni siquiera el arroyo del jardín.

—¡Por supuesto que «tenía» que llover! —exclamó molesto Edmund. Acababan de desayunar con el profesor y se encontraban arriba, en la habitación que este había destinado para ellos, una habitación larga de techo bajo, con dos ventanas hacia un lado y dos hacia el otro.

—Deja de refunfuñar, Ed —dijo Susan—. Apuesto a que se despejará en una hora más o menos. Y mientras tanto estamos bastante bien. Hay una radio y muchos libros.

—No me interesan —expresó Peter—; voy a explorar la casa.

Todos estuvieron de acuerdo y así empezaron las aventuras. Era una de esas casas que parecen no tener final, llena de lugares inesperados. Las primeras puertas que abrieron solo conducían a habitaciones desocupadas, como todos esperaban; pero pronto entraron en una gran sala llena de cuadros y encontraron una armadura con todas sus partes; y después en una habitación tapizada de verde, con un arpa en una esquina; y luego bajaron tres escalones y subieron cinco y llegaron a un pequeño vestíbulo en el piso de arriba y a una puerta que conducía a una galería, y luego a una serie de habitaciones que se comunicaban entre sí y tenían las paredes llenas de libros, la mayoría de ellos muy antiguos y algunos más grandes que la Biblia de una iglesia. Poco después, se asomaron a una habitación casi vacía. Solo había un gran ropero, de esos que tienen un espejo en la puerta. No había nada más allí, salvo una mosca azul muerta en el alféizar de la ventana.

—¡Aquí no hay nada! —señaló Peter, y todos salieron de nuevo, todos menos Lucy, que se quedó atrás, pues pensó que valdría la pena intentar abrir el ropero, aunque seguramente estaría cerrado con llave. No obstante, para su sorpresa, se abrió con bastante facilidad y dos bolas de naftalina rodaron por el suelo.

Al mirar en su interior, vio varios abrigos colgados, la mayoría eran largos y de piel. Nada le gustaba tanto a Lucy como el olor y la textura de las pieles. Inmediatamente entró en el ropero, avanzó hacia los abrigos y frotó su rostro contra ellos. Por supuesto, dejó la puerta abierta, pues sabía que era algo muy tonto encerrarse en un ropero. Luego se adentró más y descubrió que había una segunda fila de abrigos colgados detrás de la primera. Estaba casi a oscuras y extendió los brazos hacia delante para no chocar con el fondo del ropero. Dio otro paso, y luego dos o tres más. Esperaba tocar la madera del fondo con la punta de los dedos, pero no podía.

¡Debe de ser un ropero enorme!, pensó Lucy, y avanzó aún más entre los suaves abrigos. Entonces notó que algo crujía bajo sus pies. ¿Serán más bolas de naftalina?, se preguntó, mientras se agachaba para tocar el suelo con la mano. Sin embargo, en lugar de sentir la madera lisa y dura del ropero, tocó algo suave, como un talco, y extremadamente frío. Esto es muy extraño, pensó, y avanzó uno o dos pasos más.

Un instante después se percató de que lo que le rozaba el rostro y las manos ya no era una piel suave, sino algo duro y áspero, incluso espinoso.

—¡Pero estas son ramas de árbol! —exclamó Lucy. Y entonces vio que había una luz delante de ella; no a unos pocos centímetros, donde debía estar la parte trasera del ropero, sino a mucha distancia. Algo frío y suave caía sobre ella. Un momento después se dio cuenta de que estaba de pie en medio de un bosque, de noche, y que había nieve bajo sus pies y copos que caían desde lo alto.

Lucy se asustó un poco, pero también se llenó de curiosidad y emoción. Miró hacia atrás, por encima del hombro, y allí, entre los oscuros troncos de los árboles, aún podía ver la puerta abierta del ropero e incluso vislumbrar la habitación vacía de donde había venido. (Por supuesto, había dejado la puerta abierta, pues sabía que era de tontos encerrarse en un ropero). En la habitación, todavía parecía ser de día. Siempre puedo volver si algo va mal, pensó Lucy. Comenzó a caminar por el bosque hacia la otra luz, sus pasos hacían crujir la nieve ¡crag!, ¡crag! En unos diez minutos llegó a ella y descubrió que era un farol. Mientras lo miraba y se preguntaba por qué habría un farol en medio del bosque y qué debía hacer ella a continuación, oyó unos pasos que se acercaban. Segundos después un individuo muy extraño surgió de los árboles y se aproximó a la luz.

Era apenas un poco más alto que la propia Lucy y llevaba sobre la cabeza un paraguas cubierto de nieve. De la cintura para arriba era como un hombre, pero sus piernas parecían las de una cabra, estaban cubiertas de un pelo negro y brillante y en lugar de pies tenía pezuñas. También tenía una cola, pero Lucy no la notó al principio pues la llevaba sobre el brazo que sostenía el paraguas, para evitar arrastrarla por la nieve. Usaba una bufanda de lana roja alrededor del cuello y su piel también era bastante rojiza. Tenía un rostro menudo y extraño, pero agradable, con una barba corta y puntiaguda, y el cabello rizado con dos cuernos que sobresalían uno a cada lado de la frente. En una de sus manos, como lo dije antes, sostenía el paraguas; en la otra llevaba varios paquetes envueltos en papel marrón. Los paquetes y la nieve daban la impresión de que había estado haciendo las compras de Navidad. Era un fauno. Y cuando vio a Lucy se llevó un susto tan grande que dejó caer todos los paquetes.

—¡Ay! ¡Por mis barbas! —exclamó el fauno.

CAPÍTULO DOS

LO QUE LUCY ENCONTRÓ ALLÍ

—Buenas noches —dijo Lucy. Pero el fauno estaba tan ocupado recogiendo sus paquetes que al principio no respondió. Cuando terminó le hizo una pequeña reverencia.

—Buenas noches, buenas noches —respondió el fauno—. Discúlpame, no quisiera ser curioso, pero ¿me equivoco al pensar que eres una hija de Eva?

—Me llamo Lucy —respondió ella, sin entender del todo la pregunta del fauno.

—Perdona mi insistencia, ¿eres lo que llaman una niña? —preguntó él.

—Por supuesto que soy una niña.

—¿Eres en verdad humana?

—¡Por supuesto que lo soy! —respondió Lucy, todavía un poco desconcertada.

—Claro, claro —dijo el fauno—. ¡Qué tonto soy! Pero nunca había visto a un hijo de Adán ni a una hija de Eva. Estoy encantado. Es decir . . . —y entonces se detuvo como si hubiera ido a expresar algo que no quería y se hubiera contenido a tiempo—. Encantado, encantado, —continuó—. Permíteme presentarme. Me llamo Tumnus.

—Encantada de conocerte, señor Tumnus —respondió Lucy.

—Y puedo preguntar, ¡oh, Lucy, hija de Eva!, ¿cómo llegaste a Narnia? —inquirió el señor Tumnus.

—¿Narnia?¿Qué es eso? —respondió Lucy.

—Esta es la tierra de Narnia —dijo el fauno—, donde estamos ahora; todo lo que hay entre el farol y el gran castillo de Cair Paravel en el mar oriental. Y tú . . . ¿vienes de los bosques salvajes del oeste?

—Yo . . . yo entré por el ropero del cuarto de invitados —respondió Lucy.

—¡Ah! —dijo el señor Tumnus con voz algo melancólica—, si hubiera estudiado más la geografía cuando era un pequeño fauno, sin duda sabría todo sobre esos extraños países. Ahora ya es demasiado tarde.

—¡Pero si no es otro país! —exclamó Lucy, casi riendo. Está justo allí detrás . . . creo . . . no estoy segura. Allí es verano.

—Mientras tanto —señaló el señor Tumnus—, es invierno en Narnia, y lo ha sido durante mucho tiempo, así que nos resfriaremos si nos quedamos aquí hablando en la nieve. Hija de Eva, de la lejana tierra de Arto de Tados, donde reina un eterno verano en la brillante ciudad de Rop Ero, ¿te gustaría ir a cenar conmigo?

—Muchas gracias, señor Tumnus —respondió Lucy—. Pero me parece que debería regresar.

—Está a la vuelta de la esquina —insistió el fauno—, y habrá un fuego encendido . . .

Comentarios para El león, la bruja y el ropero

[verixsilvercrow · Calificación: 4 de 5 estrellas]

Lion Jesus Saves

This book is fun, but only skin-deep. The children have no actual effect on what happens in Narnia, aside from the prophecy, which has been inserted as a cheap Doylist excuse to have them enter the realm and get their much-needed personal development. It's not a bad book, by any means, but it's only a *great* book if you look at it through the eyes of an eight-year-old, whether at age eight or with the lens of nostalgia behind your own adult eyes.

If you want to read your kid a bedtime story, give them The Hobbit or Watership Down; don't give them this Christian faff.

Three and a half stars. Rounding down.

[jacsun · Calificación: 5 de 5 estrellas]

So you think this is a "story for children?" Think again. It can awaken your spirits as you read about the adventures of four children, Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy, as they go into a wardrobe only to find the new world, Narnia. They are staying with an older professor outside of London during WWII.

The story is a big part of Patti Callahan's book, "Once Upon A Wardrobe" where an 8 year old boy, George, wants to know where Narnia came from. He has just read "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" and asks his older sister, Megs, to inquire from the famous professor and author at Oxford, CS Lewis, to get the scoop. He figures she can do this for him as that's where she attends college. The young brother has cancer and she agrees as she loves him dearly. Both books are highly recommended but it helps to read "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe" first. It's a super easy read and may also be enjoyed by the young ones.

Enjoy the ride.

[briandrewz · Calificación: 5 de 5 estrellas]

This was the book that started my journey into Narnia and the wardrobe. The cast of characters is amazing. From the moment that Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy step into the wardrobe and the magical world of Narnia, we are treated to such richness of setting and plot. Who could forget the Beavers, Tumnus, and the other inhabitants of Narnia? Even though she's evil, I liked the character of Jadis, the White Witch. Aslan, of course, is amazing.

Highly recommended to those seeking adventure or to those looking to relive childhood memories.

[jordanf150 · Calificación: 5 de 5 estrellas]

From the dedication page in the front cover of the book, this entire writing is a vivid, heart-swelling picture of the gospel to God's children. It is an inspiration to be like Lewis's childlike professor, old enough again to read fairy tales and to ascend into the spiritual whenever and wherever called.

[maydacat_1 · Calificación: 5 de 5 estrellas]

The four Pevensie siblings, Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy, go on a very unusual adventure, entering through a wardrobe into a unknown land. They enter Narnia, and meet a strange assortment of characters, including animals who can talk. The greatest is Aslan, the Great Lion, who rules Narnia, but has gone away. There has been a time of unrest, when an evil witch has cast a spell over the land, but with the appearance of the Pevensie children, all that is about to change. This adventure story is a wonderful tale for children as well for adults. The first in the series, it introduces the characters and the land of Narnia. This very well-written story is a classic that shouldn’t be missed.

[therebelprince · Calificación: 3 de 5 estrellas]

You'd have to be pretty hard-hearted not to enjoy "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe", at least as a nostalgia hit. There's no surprise that it has become such a prominent part of so many childhoods, with its fascinating idea of a world reached through someone's wardrobe, where bored children on summer holiday can find white witches and talking lions. It's an ideal escapist story for kids (very much in the 'Harry Potter' vein) and - unlike a lot of today's rather bland children's literature - has a real sense of being a story that can be shared. Lewis' narrative voice is wonderful, somewhere between "kindly adult" and "co-conspirator".

Of course, there is the religious element, which isn't so prominent here as in the later books, but which can leave an uncomfortable taste. Not that I think we should begrudge all items from other eras because of their cultural biases, but if I ever have children, I'd want to be able to explain to them why they should take the whole resurrection business with a grain of salt! Still, it doesn't take away from the childhood magic of this book, even if Philip Pullman is probably a worthy successor-cum-replacement!

[thebooksofwrath · Calificación: 5 de 5 estrellas]

This is the story that got my imagination spinning from a young age. I found the idea of the magic wardrobe into another world a fascinating concept and wished I could make something of my own out of that. Narnia was the perfect home away from home where I could enact my own escapism from the drudgery of modern life, away from the lonely world where nobody understands you and nobody gets along with each other to the place where children are harmonious in spirit and reign as princesses and kings.

[joligula · Calificación: 5 de 5 estrellas]

Loved this story as a child. It was not until many years later that I realized that it was a part of something MUCH larger. Lots of personality and charm.

[ladycato · Calificación: 2 de 5 estrellas]

I read the entire Chronicles of Narnia series when I was in 6th grade, and only thought they were meh. The overhype around them puzzled me. I found the Chronicles of Prydain at the same time and adored those books and have them repeatedly over the decades. It was very interesting to return to this book in my forties, having published many fantasy books, and read a lot of middle grade.

My impression of the book is much the same--just okay, rather dull, and significantly overhyped. Note that I'm not holding back discussion of spoilers here.

That said, it's not a horrible book. Lewis is a fantastic writer--I've enjoyed a number of his books for adults. The dialogue between the siblings is great; he can write children well, especially the horrible Edmund. The setting creates an incredible mood.

What I couldn't articulate as a child is much clearer to me now: the children have almost no agency, and in fact, almost nothing happens in the book. Lucy, and the others, stumble upon Narnia by accident. The good creatures of Narnia do everything for them as stand-ins for adults. The witch's deep winter begins thawing without the children doing anything. The children are handed powerful gifts that they just happen to know how to use (I guess Peter has had swordfighting lessons?). Even at the end, they leave Narnia by accident. The only major choices they make are Edmund's major betrayal and the girls' choice to follow and comfort Aslan at a pivotal point. By modern standards, they are useless as main characters. I suppose someone could argue that everything is being left to God, but I find that a weak point, because as far as action goes, they aren't even at "thoughts at prayers." They simply drift along and the plot happens for them--but this wasn't uncommon for books in this period, either.

The symbolism around Aslan as Jesus is quite stark to me now but I don't mind how that was done. I really like the portrayal of Aslan as "good but scary." His sacrifice certainly is an intense moment. It would be interesting to see everything through his eyes; he's the major protagonist.

Honestly, if we're going to ignore the plot, I would've just loved a gentle book where I get to enjoy tea and a meal with Mr. Tumnus and the Beavers, because I could read pages and pages about their houses and their bright personalities.

[bobbybslax · Calificación: 2 de 5 estrellas]

A friendly read, but slapdash in its worldbuilding and thin on character. It’s a fairy tale so superficiality in some way is to be expected. More rewarding prose or plot would've been appreciated, however. There isn’t much to the story’s characters or plot beyond annoying younger brother Edmund who learns a bit of humility through suffering. New concepts enter seemingly at random and it wasn't mistaken for imagination. I don't find talking animals or vague feudal motifs novel, at least here in the 21st century. It’s hard for me not to be reminded of Lewis’ friend Tolkien whose own fantasy work(s) are much richer in character and world, and well-conceived in both from the get-go. If I understand the history of their writings correctly, neither expected their first stories to become part of a series, but The Hobbit provided me a considerably greater imagination to invest in. We know of brothers and sisters and Adam and Eve and winter and spring. There is nothing new to learn of those things in this book. They merely suggest quick reference points for young children (its main target audience) to understand. Perhaps this is the page-turner it is because the syntax is simple and the ideas are familiar. I probably wouldn't finish The Hobbit as fast as I have here, either, but I keep re-reading that one and its follow-ups. I liked this book/film as a child but returning to it as an adult hasn't provided me much new enthusiasm. I'll try the next one out of curiosity for the potentially non-linear(?) timeline of the wider series and its main character shake-ups (Peter and Susan go away?), but as a stand-alone tale I'm not sure I appreciate the long-lasting popularity.

[jntjesussaves · Calificación: 5 de 5 estrellas]

Writing: 5.0; Theme: 5.0; Content: 5.0; Language: 5.0; Overall: 5.0

This the second book in this wonderful fantasy series from C.S. Lewis. We are introduced to four children- Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy- who are sent away to a professor's house during the war. They discover a fantastical wardrobe that enters into the land of Narnia. Lucy discovers the land of Narnia first which follows with Edmund sharing in this mysterious land. The older two share in the wonderment and excitement as they meet the King of Narnia- Aslan- and are made kings and queens in Narnia and must ready themselves to battle the evil White Witch. Highly recommend.

***January 7, 2024***

[missbrangwen · Calificación: 5 de 5 estrellas]

I loved "The Chronicles of Narnia" as a child and read most of those books many times. They were my introduction to fantasy and my very favourite books before I discovered Tolkien and somewhat grew out of the Narnia stories. I think that I last read them when I was about 12 years old and I wanted to reread them for many years, finally starting a reread in 2022.
I still have all my old German Narnia books in a box, but I bought a beautiful complete collection in English five years ago and now I read that one.
This complete collection is a beautiful, big hardcover book, but it is a bit hard to read. It is very heavy and there is a lot of text on each page. However, it includes the wonderful illustrations by Pauline Baynes, which I haven't seen before because they were not included in the German Narnia books of my childhood. Knowing that Pauline Baynes was J.R.R. Tolkien's favourite illustrator of his own books made them even more interesting to me.

While the first book, "The Magician's Nephew", is a bit too silly for my liking and on the other hand contains the somewhat heavy creation of Narnia, in "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" the magic really starts. And when I read it now, twenty-five years later, it enchanted me just at it did all those years ago.
I still knew the story well because I read it so many times as a child. So reading it truly felt like coming home. I rate it five stars because I still felt that wonder, that amazement, the love for Aslan, the bittersweetness of it all. Would I have rated it five stars if I had read it the first time now? Probably not because there are some aspects that I do see a little more critical nowadays. But I cannot bring myself to judge it harshly because it still feels like home. I cannot wait to continue with the series and read the other books that I do not remember as well as the first one.

[jfranklin592262 · Calificación: 5 de 5 estrellas]

Excellent!! This is an amazing story and time doesn't change the magic one bit! I hadn't read this in years, but purchased the box set recently, and I'm thoroughly enjoying rereading this classic series!

[leann-362203 · Calificación: 5 de 5 estrellas]

Always a marvelous read! I think this is about my fifth time through and I always love it.

[foof2you · Calificación: 4 de 5 estrellas]

Book number 2 in "The Chronicles of Narnia" series, moves to the country outside of London and a wardrobe is the mode of transportation to Narnia. The Pevensie children are the travelers who battle the White Witch and see the beginning of Narnia.

[barnesbookshelf · Calificación: 4 de 5 estrellas]

I remember reading this series as a child and not understanding some things, so im rereading it now that I know more.

This is probably the story out of all of the books that I remember the best, partially because I also watched the movie a few times. I'm surprised at how close the movie was in my recollection.

I definitely understand more now, especially with the deep magic and Aslan's sacrifice. I look forward to reading the rest of the series and understanding even more.

[publiusdb-1 · Calificación: 5 de 5 estrellas]

Though I've read The Chronicles of Narnia multiple times, it's been years since I last read them, and this is the first time I've read it to my children. We finished The Magician's Nephew earlier this year, and last night we read the last chapter of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.

Without a doubt, reading it with little people listening has reawakened me to the magic of C.S.Lewis' simple sounding tale, as well as to the layered depths within each. Indeed, reading the stories with my girls (ages 5 and 8) has shown me how the story plays for the target audience. These are stories written for children, and yet, it's often clear that Lewis, for all his efforts sometimes seems to forget who his audience is. But has he? Or is he, like a master teacher, layering multiple elements into his tale to allow each student to learn what he, or she, is ready to learn? Even as my girls lean forward eagerly as the Stone Table cracks and squeal in excitement as Aslan reappears, I see another lesson about Deeper Magic, the Emperor Beyond the Sea, the power of Aslan's breath on stone animals, and so many other plot points. They are only story--until they are not, until they are metaphor of something closer to home, closer to the transcendent.

So while my daughters hear story about an evil witch, an heroic lion, and an adventure to another world, I hear a parable about our journey here to Earth, a place where we learn and grow, face our fears and demons, and, ultimately, are redeemed by an act of sacrifice by one who is both innocent and does not merit the stripes he bears on our behalf. It's a multi-tiered story, one which unfolds only as look for the layers.

In short, I loved rereading what was only a straightforward adventure to me as a boy and finding, again, meaning that is not exactly hidden so much as in a language I had not yet learned to understand. Does nostalgia and resonance from my childhood experience play a part in this? Without a doubt--but I somehow wonder if this is exactly what Lewis was playing on as he wrote The Chronicles of Narnia. It is not a new story of his own invention; rather, it is a story as old as the Christianity that Lewis had discovered late in his own life and for which Lewis was an ardent apologist. His power was in finding ways to make the lessons of the gospel come alive to a world that no longer spoke the language of the Old and New Testaments, and yet needed them still.

I was surprised at the depths in The Magician's Nephew, and The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe did not disappoint either. It was more than an added bonus that my littles enjoyed the story for its ability to excite their imaginations, and I look forward to reading The Horse and His Boy with them soon.

[kjc__ · Calificación: 2 de 5 estrellas]

Four kids slip through a wardrobe into a magical land called Narnia. Little do they know, a evil snow witch whom cast a spell over Narnia to make it forever winter and never Christmas wants their lives. Luckily there's a lion.

I've heard it's inspired countless other children and fantasy writers. Also, there are two ways or orders of reading it: The publication order and the chronological order. I'm going with the publication order since I heard from some online blog that this was the only true way of experiencing the Narnia series, and that the chronological order is heretical.

[sanyamakadi · Calificación: 4 de 5 estrellas]

Just like I remember it, with more religion and sexism than I understood as a kid. But I still love it.

[kslade-1 · Calificación: 4 de 5 estrellas]

Good YA fantasy / allegory with a religous message. I haven't read the others in the series.

[crabbyabbe · Calificación: 3 de 5 estrellas]

I was really never into fantasy as a child, so I never read this until now. As an adult, I have been more interested in fantasy (LOVED Tolkien's Ring Trilogy), but this story read like a children's book. I wasn't that impressed. Knowing it was also a Christian allegory, I kept thinking to myself while reading it, "Why did you have to create a FANTASY [which everyone knows is not real] about something you believe so fervently is real? Was the original biblical story not good enough for you, Lewis? Seeing how preposterous the fantasy was made me see the biblical story in that light as well. This book did not convince me to believe, if that was Lewis's intent. It made me see Christianity in an even more ridiculous light, I have to say.

[bibliothecarivs · Calificación: 3 de 5 estrellas]

2022 review: My third or fourth reading of this book, I believe. Unfortunately, it was just middle-of-the road for me this time, probably due to the fact that my attitudes to religion, monarchy, and fiction have changed so much over the last decade. Not a bad story, but I don't see it as great anymore either.

[nyiper · Calificación: 5 de 5 estrellas]

Hard to believe I never read this as a child and am finally reading it because of Patti Callahan's historical novels about C. S. Lewis

[the_literary_jedi · Calificación: 5 de 5 estrellas]

The children's classic that is a metaphor for Christianity. In this second installment, the Penvensie children (Peter, Susan, Edmund, Lucy) travel to the magical Narnia and have a great adventure to save the land from the White Witch, Jadis.

The allusions to Christianity, specifically crucifixion, play a key role in the plot. The story has each child realize their own inner strengths and compassions. A good story for younger readers.

**All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

[jennybeast · Calificación: 4 de 5 estrellas]

I remember my second grade teacher reading this to us, and being absolutely enraptured. On second reading, in college, I found it good, but too religious for my tastes. Boy, both those readings were very long ago.

[thestartrekkie · Calificación: 5 de 5 estrellas]

The Narnia series is a great Fantasy with a different world and all the magic you could ever wish for!

[tehya13 · Calificación: 5 de 5 estrellas]

A fast-paced captivating classic. C.S. Lewis creates an interesting fantasy setting that doesn't sound too unbelievable or boring. The characters are so cute and I loved the ending. This book is so much better than The Magician's Nephew!! It's hard to believe that these two books were written by the same author.

[bxwretlind · Calificación: 5 de 5 estrellas]

As will all books from C.S. Lewis, very engaging, even for a 40 year old.

[kevn57-163679 · Calificación: 4 de 5 estrellas]

First read 40 years ago, I wanted a reread after reading 1st Charles Williams, then a book about the Inklings, next off to read something by Tolkien to see if he's still my favorite.

[hobbitprincess · Calificación: 4 de 5 estrellas]

I have read this classic book in the past but have never read the entire series, so I thought I would start at the beginning and listen to it on audio. This first book is as good as I remember, the story of good vs. evil.