Book: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Author: C.S. Lewis
Country: Northern Ireland
Review: 5/5
Revisiting this childhood favourite is always a joy and reminds me why I love to read. Its sense of whimsy and the beautiful, terrible world that is found in the Chronicles of Narnia continues to be intriguing. From the infamous moment at the lamppost to the whirlwind of feelings between the siblings, their new friends, and the enemies met along the way, you can find surprises around every corner. Whether you read this on its own or alongside the series, I think that you will see why this book is beloved by children and adults to this day. Lewis’ writing has an incredible charm to it, his beautiful descriptions are far from dull and the characters he builds are relatable and interesting. Yet, I keep in mind that this novel is relatively short and meant for younger audiences, meaning that there is potential for this book to be even more complex. The action is continuous yet unpredictable and evokes a variety of emotions.
I find it difficult to critique or build commentary around a childhood favourite in any way, but I can speak to the pull from mythical worlds like this which is incredibly strong. I think this feeling is described well by C.S. Lewis, “If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world,” the author creating these very experiences for decades of readers. Through novels, I think we can gain those magical sentiments that are so often difficult to find in our own world.
I am grateful to have had the opportunity to visit Belfast (C.S. Lewis’ birthplace) twice with my family. I felt closer to this book when learning that this was the origin of the books, as my grandmother was born and raised just outside of this city, and I can feel much of the same nostalgic, magical feelings in both Ireland and Narnia.
Stay tuned for other book recommendations for this country and other countries, and follow my journey on Instagram @beyondpageone and find more reviews on my GoodReads page: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/116494925-kaitlyn-nightingale Thank you and happy reading!
Feature image from Goodreads.