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The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

by C.S. Lewis
Series: The Chronicles of Narnia #2
192 pages, Fantasy
Reviewed by Jeanne

Excellent read for many ages.

Plot

Like hundreds of other children during the second World War, the four Pevensie children are sent away from London. They arrive at the country to stay in the large house of Professor Kirke. There, Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy stumble through a wardrobe and into the land of Narnia where the White Witch has cast a spell, covering the land in snow. Now they stand alongside the lion Aslan to rid Narnia of the Witch and fill the four thrones of Cair Paravel.

Morality

Good and evil are portrayed as starkly different - as different as they are in the Bible - throughout the book. Jadis represents all that is evil while Aslan, representing Christ, is good and holy. The Pevensies all have their struggles morally, but when they fail they are corrected.

Spiritual Content

This one out of all the Chronicles of Narnia is easiest to identify as an allegory based on Scripture. The lion Aslan portrays Christ, while the 'Emperor-over-Sea', mentioned only once or twice, is obviously the Father. The spell that the Witch casts over Narnia is usually taken to portray something akin to the coldness of a sinner's heart.

The author references an ancient myth that the Biblical Adam had a wife before Eve, Lilith, in referencing the Witch's ancestry.

There is a lot of magic in the story, but as the Witch uses it, it is clearly evil, and as it is used elsewhere, is clearly under the authority of Aslan.

Violence

One character is killed in place of another. The Witch turns some of the good characters into stone. Peter battles a wolf, and there is a battle at the end, related after the fact.

Drug and Alcohol Content

Wine is mentioned once or twice as being drunk at a feast. Mr. Beaver drinks beer. No drunkenness is mentioned anywhere.

Sexual Content

None.

Crude or Profane Language or Content

None.

Conclusion

'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe' is by far the most well-known and beloved of the series 'The Chronicles of Narnia', probably because of the allegorical aspects. The morals and spirituality are both very clearly Christian, making the story excellent for adults as well even though the story was written for children.

Fun Score: 5
Values Score: 5
Written for Age: 8-10

Review Rating:

Average rating: 5 stars
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