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The Chronicles of Narnia (Chronological Order) #1–3
Le Cronache di Narnia #1-3
The Magician's Nephew opens the doorway to the
magical land of Narnia for the first time...
In The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Peter,
Edmund, Susan and Lucy stumble upon the world of
Narnia. Here, Winter and the White Witch are the
greatest threats and the children must join forces with the
great lion, Aslan, to battle against the evil enchantment.
In The Horse and His Boy, Shasta, the slave boy,
meets Bree, a talking horse, and together they flee on a
wild and dangerous journey through strange cities,
eerie tombs and harsh deserts - in search of Narnia,
where there is freedom and safety.
This volume brings together the first three books
of the timeless fantasy series.
magical land of Narnia for the first time...
In The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Peter,
Edmund, Susan and Lucy stumble upon the world of
Narnia. Here, Winter and the White Witch are the
greatest threats and the children must join forces with the
great lion, Aslan, to battle against the evil enchantment.
In The Horse and His Boy, Shasta, the slave boy,
meets Bree, a talking horse, and together they flee on a
wild and dangerous journey through strange cities,
eerie tombs and harsh deserts - in search of Narnia,
where there is freedom and safety.
This volume brings together the first three books
of the timeless fantasy series.
396 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1950
87 people are currently reading
1620 people want to read
About the author
C.S. Lewis
1,015 books47.7k followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Clive Staples Lewis 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. 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 Mere Christianity, Out of the Silent Planet, The Great Divorce, The Screwtape Letters, and the universally acknowledged classics The Chronicles of Narnia. To date, the Narnia books have sold over 100 million copies and been transformed into three major motion pictures.
Lewis was married to poet Joy Davidman.
W.H. Lewis was his elder brother]
Clive Staples Lewis 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. 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 Mere Christianity, Out of the Silent Planet, The Great Divorce, The Screwtape Letters, and the universally acknowledged classics The Chronicles of Narnia. To date, the Narnia books have sold over 100 million copies and been transformed into three major motion pictures.
Lewis was married to poet Joy Davidman.
W.H. Lewis was his elder brother]
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
January 16, 2021
The Magician's Nephew - I decided to re-read the fist two stories. I had forgotten how much I loved 'The Magician's Nephew'. I had forgotten though about the Children, my memory was just of Narnia being created. It was like reading it again for the first time. This story just doesn't seem to get the credit it deserves. I think it's one of the only Narnia books that hasn't been made into a film. It was ignored by the Disney films entirely! Please don't skip this and go straight to 'The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe' as you will be missing out.
The Lion, the Witch & The Wardrobe - Still an amazing adventure classic. Loved reading it again. Narnia is such an exciting world and I would still really like to find it in the back of the wardrobe! Now I know about the Christian aspect, I can see it more but that doesn't spoil the story. This book is a must read!
The Horse and His Boy - Another Narnia book that seems to have been overlooked when Disney were making the movies. And while I understand the main characters are not the focus and in it very little, the rest of the story is great! This is another adventure story where Shasta & Bree, a Narnian horse run away together. They travel in lands outside of Narnia and it was nice to see the rest of the world.
Overall this book is well worth reading or rereading! I've not read any of the other books so I am really excited to read the rest!
The Lion, the Witch & The Wardrobe - Still an amazing adventure classic. Loved reading it again. Narnia is such an exciting world and I would still really like to find it in the back of the wardrobe! Now I know about the Christian aspect, I can see it more but that doesn't spoil the story. This book is a must read!
The Horse and His Boy - Another Narnia book that seems to have been overlooked when Disney were making the movies. And while I understand the main characters are not the focus and in it very little, the rest of the story is great! This is another adventure story where Shasta & Bree, a Narnian horse run away together. They travel in lands outside of Narnia and it was nice to see the rest of the world.
Overall this book is well worth reading or rereading! I've not read any of the other books so I am really excited to read the rest!
June 27, 2012
I went camping two weeks ago and tragically forgot to bring any books. The only books I could find at a friends house who lives at the campsite were this series that I have always wanted to read.
Love them as I knew I would{even though I usually don't read fantasy or books for children for myself} The brilliance of C.S. Lewis's writing and subtle spiritual symbolism makes up for it. On number three right now. Review should not be long in coming...
Finished A Horse and His Boy-
Of the three I think I enjoyed The Magician's Nephew, the most.
I loved C.S. Lewis rendition of creation, found in the Magician's Nephew. This book ended with such a satisfying end in that it creatively planted the seeds for The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe.
Of course, that book was great...but hampered a bit, since I already knew what was going to happen.
A Horse and His Boy, was yes, far behind in luster and excitement compared to its first two predecessors, {far be it for me to criticize the great C.S.Lewis...but the horse scenes...yikes!}
Though there is a passage I absolutely loved that I will share with you:
"Child" said the voice, {Aslan} "I am telling you her story, not yours. I
tell no one any story, but his own"
"Who are you" asked Shasta.
"Myself" said the voice, deep and low so the earth shook:
"Myself"
All three books depict so splendidly, various character's reaction to first coming face-to-face with Aslan, the lion.
Of course an allegory for Christ-
reverence mixed with terror, strangely drawn none the less, by a wooing love and peace that human reasoning cannot altogether understand.
Will finish book 4-7 later this summer.
My now 5th grader just started book 1 and loves it.
Love them as I knew I would{even though I usually don't read fantasy or books for children for myself} The brilliance of C.S. Lewis's writing and subtle spiritual symbolism makes up for it. On number three right now. Review should not be long in coming...
Finished A Horse and His Boy-
Of the three I think I enjoyed The Magician's Nephew, the most.
I loved C.S. Lewis rendition of creation, found in the Magician's Nephew. This book ended with such a satisfying end in that it creatively planted the seeds for The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe.
Of course, that book was great...but hampered a bit, since I already knew what was going to happen.
A Horse and His Boy, was yes, far behind in luster and excitement compared to its first two predecessors, {far be it for me to criticize the great C.S.Lewis...but the horse scenes...yikes!}
Though there is a passage I absolutely loved that I will share with you:
"Child" said the voice, {Aslan} "I am telling you her story, not yours. I
tell no one any story, but his own"
"Who are you" asked Shasta.
"Myself" said the voice, deep and low so the earth shook:
"Myself"
All three books depict so splendidly, various character's reaction to first coming face-to-face with Aslan, the lion.
Of course an allegory for Christ-
reverence mixed with terror, strangely drawn none the less, by a wooing love and peace that human reasoning cannot altogether understand.
Will finish book 4-7 later this summer.
My now 5th grader just started book 1 and loves it.
July 13, 2020
Check out my reviews on the main page of each individual book!
September 4, 2020
The Magician's Nephew: Digory and Polly find a little tunnel in Polly's house. They have heard of a empty house so through the tunnel they go, into the house. They do calculations to get there. Instead, they reach Uncle Andrew's study. There Uncle Andrew gives them rings. With the rings Digory and Polly visit 'Charn' and a young new world called 'Narnia'.
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe: Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy hide in a wardrobe and are lured into another world. The world is (I won't tell you)… In that world an evil witch has come and made the world always winter but never Christmas. Aslan comes and makes things well, what do you think? Worse or Better?
The Horse and his Boy: A horse called Bree and a boy called Shasta run away from their harsh lives to go and live in peace. While they do, they meet lions. They run away and meet a horse called Hwin. On top is Aravis. They were runaways too. Will they be friends, or enemies?
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe: Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy hide in a wardrobe and are lured into another world. The world is (I won't tell you)… In that world an evil witch has come and made the world always winter but never Christmas. Aslan comes and makes things well, what do you think? Worse or Better?
The Horse and his Boy: A horse called Bree and a boy called Shasta run away from their harsh lives to go and live in peace. While they do, they meet lions. They run away and meet a horse called Hwin. On top is Aravis. They were runaways too. Will they be friends, or enemies?
May 17, 2021
Il nipote del mago/The Magician's Nephew: 4,5 stars
Il leone, la strega e l'armadio/The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe: 4,5 stars
Il cavallo e il ragazzo/The Horse and his Boy: 3,5 stars
Il leone, la strega e l'armadio/The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe: 4,5 stars
Il cavallo e il ragazzo/The Horse and his Boy: 3,5 stars
July 6, 2025
🦁✨ “Once a king or queen of Narnia, always a king or queen of Narnia.” ✨⏳
4 out of 5 Wardrobes
Best for: Dreamers, nostalgia-seekers, and those who know childhood magic never truly leaves.
Skip if: You want intersectional heroes or perfectly modern values, or you need your fantasy completely free from allegory.
There are books that open doors, and books that teach you to walk through them. The Chronicles of Narnia does both: first with the reckless hope of a child, then with the melancholy wisdom of someone who knows the door won’t stay open forever. Seven slim volumes: sometimes uneven, occasionally breathtaking, always haunted by longing and faith. The real magic isn’t just in fauns, lampposts, or talking beasts, but in the ache of return—how you can never quite go home the same. Narnia isn’t for everyone. But for the ones who see themselves in outcasts and dreamers, it will always have a place in the back of the wardrobe.
Note: The best reading order is publication order for emotional resonance and reveal of Narnian lore:
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Prince Caspian
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
The Silver Chair
The Horse and His Boy
The Magician’s Nephew
The Last Battle
Book-By-Book Reviews (All Seven Main Books)
1. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Score: 4.5/5 Turkish Delights
This is the open door, and it still creaks with possibility. Simple prose and clear lines between good and evil make it feel almost mythic, but it’s the feeling—the cold, the hope, the relief of spring—that lingers. The Pevensie siblings are the beating heart: flawed, loyal, not yet heroes but learning to be. Yes, the allegory can get heavy-handed, and Susan’s arc gets short shrift, but the wonder is real.
2. Prince Caspian
Score: 3.5/5 Talking Mice
Narnia’s glory has faded, and the Pevensies stumble through a land that barely remembers them. This book leans into dislocation and the pain of lost home, asking what happens after you’re a hero. The action is sometimes rushed, and Caspian himself is more plot device than person, but the sense of change, and the courage to fight for something already lost, make this a quietly powerful entry.
3. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
Score: 5/5 Dawn Treaders
If you only read one Narnia, make it this one. Gone are the wars—here, adventure is the point. Each island is a parable, but the moralizing rarely outweighs the sheer strangeness and delight. Eustace’s arc is one of the best in children’s lit: a portrait of transformation, regret, and acceptance. The ending’s ache (goodbyes, growing up, letting go) hits hardest of all.
4. The Silver Chair
Score: 4/5 Marshwiggles
Narnia through the eyes of outsiders: Jill and Eustace aren’t destined, they’re desperate. The tone is more somber—there’s anxiety, self-doubt, and pain, but also real endurance. Puddleglum the Marshwiggle is a scene-stealer, and the story’s message (believe in the light, even underground) lands for anyone who’s felt out of place.
5. The Horse and His Boy
Score: 3.5/5 Talking Horses
The “side story” that’s secretly a heart. Set during the events of Wardrobe, it leaves the Pevensies behind for a refugee’s tale: desert escapes, mistaken identity, and the ache of belonging. There’s power in its outsider perspective—Shasta and Aravis’s journey is about making your own family. But, be aware: the Calormen culture is a product of its time and brings uncomfortable baggage.
6. The Magician’s Nephew
Score: 4/5 Rings of Power
Origin stories are rarely this strange or bittersweet. This is world-creation, temptation, grief, and first mistakes. Digory and Polly’s choices echo all through Narnia’s history; Charn is one of fantasy’s eeriest settings. The magic here is darker and older than anywhere else in the series.
7. The Last Battle
Score: 3/5 Endings
Bleak, wild, and uncompromising. This finale splits readers—its apocalyptic tone and finality can feel abrupt and even alienating, especially for young readers. The deeper themes: what happens when a world ends, and how do you face loss with faith? Sometimes harsh, but never lacking in vision.
Bookend’s Lens: Narnia’s Legacy for Today’s Readers
Narnia is both escape and mirror: it gives us worlds where goodness matters and kindness is courage, but it also reveals the limits of its own era. Representation is narrow—girls, boys, outsiders all have roles, but not always with modern complexity. The series doesn’t belong to a single faith or tradition: read as queer allegory, as a meditation on grief, as a found-family epic, or simply as childhood dreamwork. Its magic is rooted in longing—for adventure, for belonging, for the hope that you could matter somewhere, somehow.
You don’t have to agree with every message to love these stories. If you’ve ever felt “othered,” or needed proof that the ordinary could be extraordinary, there’s a bit of Narnia in you already. And maybe—just maybe—you’ll find your own lamp-post in the dark.
Closing Emotional Beat
Some stories you outgrow; some grow with you. Narnia will always be both.
4 out of 5 Wardrobes
Best for: Dreamers, nostalgia-seekers, and those who know childhood magic never truly leaves.
Skip if: You want intersectional heroes or perfectly modern values, or you need your fantasy completely free from allegory.
There are books that open doors, and books that teach you to walk through them. The Chronicles of Narnia does both: first with the reckless hope of a child, then with the melancholy wisdom of someone who knows the door won’t stay open forever. Seven slim volumes: sometimes uneven, occasionally breathtaking, always haunted by longing and faith. The real magic isn’t just in fauns, lampposts, or talking beasts, but in the ache of return—how you can never quite go home the same. Narnia isn’t for everyone. But for the ones who see themselves in outcasts and dreamers, it will always have a place in the back of the wardrobe.
Note: The best reading order is publication order for emotional resonance and reveal of Narnian lore:
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Prince Caspian
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
The Silver Chair
The Horse and His Boy
The Magician’s Nephew
The Last Battle
Book-By-Book Reviews (All Seven Main Books)
1. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Score: 4.5/5 Turkish Delights
This is the open door, and it still creaks with possibility. Simple prose and clear lines between good and evil make it feel almost mythic, but it’s the feeling—the cold, the hope, the relief of spring—that lingers. The Pevensie siblings are the beating heart: flawed, loyal, not yet heroes but learning to be. Yes, the allegory can get heavy-handed, and Susan’s arc gets short shrift, but the wonder is real.
“Wrong will be right, when Aslan comes in sight.”Strengths: Atmosphere, world-building, archetypal characters, found family. Weaknesses: Simplicity of conflict, dated gender roles. Tags: #PortalMagic #SiblingLoyalty #Redemption
2. Prince Caspian
Score: 3.5/5 Talking Mice
Narnia’s glory has faded, and the Pevensies stumble through a land that barely remembers them. This book leans into dislocation and the pain of lost home, asking what happens after you’re a hero. The action is sometimes rushed, and Caspian himself is more plot device than person, but the sense of change, and the courage to fight for something already lost, make this a quietly powerful entry.
“Things never happen the same way twice.”Strengths: Melancholy mood, the thrill of rediscovery, Reepicheep. Weaknesses: Pacing, underdeveloped secondary characters. Tags: #LostGlory #FindingFaith #TalkingAnimals
3. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
Score: 5/5 Dawn Treaders
If you only read one Narnia, make it this one. Gone are the wars—here, adventure is the point. Each island is a parable, but the moralizing rarely outweighs the sheer strangeness and delight. Eustace’s arc is one of the best in children’s lit: a portrait of transformation, regret, and acceptance. The ending’s ache (goodbyes, growing up, letting go) hits hardest of all.
“There was a boy called Eustace Clarence Scrubb, and he almost deserved it.”Strengths: Inventive settings, character growth, episodic wonder. Weaknesses: Occasional didacticism, abrupt pacing. Tags: #Seafaring #Transformation #StrangeLands
4. The Silver Chair
Score: 4/5 Marshwiggles
Narnia through the eyes of outsiders: Jill and Eustace aren’t destined, they’re desperate. The tone is more somber—there’s anxiety, self-doubt, and pain, but also real endurance. Puddleglum the Marshwiggle is a scene-stealer, and the story’s message (believe in the light, even underground) lands for anyone who’s felt out of place.
“Suppose we have only dreamed, or made up, all those things—trees and grass and sun and moon and stars?”Strengths: Depth of emotion, tension, journey motif. Weaknesses: Slower pace, less of Narnia’s wonder. Tags: #Underdogs #RescueQuest #DarkFairyTale
5. The Horse and His Boy
Score: 3.5/5 Talking Horses
The “side story” that’s secretly a heart. Set during the events of Wardrobe, it leaves the Pevensies behind for a refugee’s tale: desert escapes, mistaken identity, and the ache of belonging. There’s power in its outsider perspective—Shasta and Aravis’s journey is about making your own family. But, be aware: the Calormen culture is a product of its time and brings uncomfortable baggage.
“Do not dare not to dare.”Strengths: Adventure, found family, subverting main-character tropes. Weaknesses: Outdated racial depictions, abrupt character arcs. Tags: #Runaways #Identity #Journeys
6. The Magician’s Nephew
Score: 4/5 Rings of Power
Origin stories are rarely this strange or bittersweet. This is world-creation, temptation, grief, and first mistakes. Digory and Polly’s choices echo all through Narnia’s history; Charn is one of fantasy’s eeriest settings. The magic here is darker and older than anywhere else in the series.
“All get what they want; they do not always like it.”Strengths: Mythic resonance, moral complexity, wonder. Weaknesses: Less action, heavy allegory, characters can feel like stand-ins. Tags: #CreationMyth #Temptation #Origins
7. The Last Battle
Score: 3/5 Endings
Bleak, wild, and uncompromising. This finale splits readers—its apocalyptic tone and finality can feel abrupt and even alienating, especially for young readers. The deeper themes: what happens when a world ends, and how do you face loss with faith? Sometimes harsh, but never lacking in vision.
“There was a real railway accident, said Aslan softly.”Strengths: Daring, emotional impact, high stakes. Weaknesses: Fatalism, divisive ending, limited redemption for some characters. Tags: #Endings #FaithTested #Apocalypse
Bookend’s Lens: Narnia’s Legacy for Today’s Readers
Narnia is both escape and mirror: it gives us worlds where goodness matters and kindness is courage, but it also reveals the limits of its own era. Representation is narrow—girls, boys, outsiders all have roles, but not always with modern complexity. The series doesn’t belong to a single faith or tradition: read as queer allegory, as a meditation on grief, as a found-family epic, or simply as childhood dreamwork. Its magic is rooted in longing—for adventure, for belonging, for the hope that you could matter somewhere, somehow.
You don’t have to agree with every message to love these stories. If you’ve ever felt “othered,” or needed proof that the ordinary could be extraordinary, there’s a bit of Narnia in you already. And maybe—just maybe—you’ll find your own lamp-post in the dark.
Closing Emotional Beat
Some stories you outgrow; some grow with you. Narnia will always be both.
September 21, 2010
I bought these books to get Katey going because my mother read them aloud to us. Katey didn't bite but I was so hooked early on that I am just going to read all seven books. Magicians Nephew is great. It gives you the background behind Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe. I really enjoyed this story. It is really interesting. CS Lewis had an amazing imaginiation...
April 24, 2010
I read the magicians nephew and the lion, witch, and wardrobe I am currently reading the horse and boy. i was suprised by how much I enjoyed the first two, they're an easy read.
September 29, 2016
سومین کتاب از سری قصه های نارنیا که جذابیت خودشو داشت. جمله خاصی نداشت که توجهمو جلب کنه، فقط دوستداشتنی بود
April 13, 2024
Some orderly observations about ordering Narnia. (5 stars)
The order in which the Narnia Chronicles should be read and published is a matter of great controversy. In my view, the answer to this question lies in a proper understanding of the deeper level of Narnia. When read on an adult level, the Narnia Chronicles function as a powerful medium used by Lewis to impart powerful spiritual truths about Christianity and theology. But these spiritual truths are conveyed more by Biblical allusions than by rigid allegory. This also has implications for the order of the volumes in this series.
The publishers of this edition have elected to follow the chronological order of the series: 1. The Magician’s Nephew; 2. The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe; 3. The Horse and His Boy; 4. Prince Caspian; 5. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader; 6. The Silver Chair; 7. The Last Battle. The chronological order makes the books more strictly allegorical than they really were intended to be, and gives the impression that they are an extended allegory rather than incidental allusions, an incorrect impression in my view. Despite all the talk about allegory, it seems to me that Lewis is more fond of incorporating Biblical allusions where and when he pleases, rather than working with a strict and rigid allegory that tightly binds the plot. Certainly the central Biblical themes of creation, fall, redemption and consummation are present, and form the broad chronological coat-hanger on which the series rests. But ultimately Lewis does not want us to become obsessed with chronology, but with content.
Thus there is something to the vehemence with which so many readers argue that the books must be read in the order in which they were first published, namely: 1. The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe; 2. Prince Caspian; 3. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader; 4. The Silver Chair; 5. The Horse and His Boy; 6. The Magician’s Nephew; 7. The Last Battle. While it is true that this originally published order is not chronological, it does enhance the process of discovery about the magical world of Narnia, and slowly uncovers various aspects of its history.
It must be conceded that in a letter written in 1957 (published in “Letters to Children”), Lewis did appear to state a mild preference for the chronological order. But in that same letter Lewis concluded: “So perhaps it does not matter very much in which order anyone read them.” Surely Lewis’ own conclusion is correct. Although my personal thoughts are that the originally published order is perhaps to be marginally preferred, in the end each book is a separate story and an independent glimpse into the exciting world of Narnia. It is the understanding of the allusions that deserves our attention, not an artificial reconstruction of a complicated allegory. These allusions do not need to be artificially joined together in a strict chronological sequence to be enjoyed – they are equally profound and enjoyable as they were read by the first readers, namely, in the originally published order.
The order in which the Narnia Chronicles should be read and published is a matter of great controversy. In my view, the answer to this question lies in a proper understanding of the deeper level of Narnia. When read on an adult level, the Narnia Chronicles function as a powerful medium used by Lewis to impart powerful spiritual truths about Christianity and theology. But these spiritual truths are conveyed more by Biblical allusions than by rigid allegory. This also has implications for the order of the volumes in this series.
The publishers of this edition have elected to follow the chronological order of the series: 1. The Magician’s Nephew; 2. The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe; 3. The Horse and His Boy; 4. Prince Caspian; 5. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader; 6. The Silver Chair; 7. The Last Battle. The chronological order makes the books more strictly allegorical than they really were intended to be, and gives the impression that they are an extended allegory rather than incidental allusions, an incorrect impression in my view. Despite all the talk about allegory, it seems to me that Lewis is more fond of incorporating Biblical allusions where and when he pleases, rather than working with a strict and rigid allegory that tightly binds the plot. Certainly the central Biblical themes of creation, fall, redemption and consummation are present, and form the broad chronological coat-hanger on which the series rests. But ultimately Lewis does not want us to become obsessed with chronology, but with content.
Thus there is something to the vehemence with which so many readers argue that the books must be read in the order in which they were first published, namely: 1. The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe; 2. Prince Caspian; 3. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader; 4. The Silver Chair; 5. The Horse and His Boy; 6. The Magician’s Nephew; 7. The Last Battle. While it is true that this originally published order is not chronological, it does enhance the process of discovery about the magical world of Narnia, and slowly uncovers various aspects of its history.
It must be conceded that in a letter written in 1957 (published in “Letters to Children”), Lewis did appear to state a mild preference for the chronological order. But in that same letter Lewis concluded: “So perhaps it does not matter very much in which order anyone read them.” Surely Lewis’ own conclusion is correct. Although my personal thoughts are that the originally published order is perhaps to be marginally preferred, in the end each book is a separate story and an independent glimpse into the exciting world of Narnia. It is the understanding of the allusions that deserves our attention, not an artificial reconstruction of a complicated allegory. These allusions do not need to be artificially joined together in a strict chronological sequence to be enjoyed – they are equally profound and enjoyable as they were read by the first readers, namely, in the originally published order.
September 11, 2024
Revisiting The Chronicles of Narnia (books 1-3) by C.S. Lewis after many years felt like stepping back into a world of pure magic and wonder. These timeless classics, starting with The Magician’s Nephew, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and The Horse and His Boy, are more than just stories—they are journeys into a realm where the ordinary meets the extraordinary.
What makes these books so special is their ability to capture the imagination and hearts of readers of all ages. The characters are richly drawn, the adventures are thrilling, and the underlying themes of courage, friendship, and redemption are beautifully woven into the narrative. There’s something incredibly wholesome about the way Lewis crafts his world, making it feel both familiar and fantastical.
The sense of nostalgia I felt while reading these books was overwhelming. It’s a testament to Lewis’s storytelling prowess that these tales remain as enchanting now as they were when I first read them. The Chronicles of Narnia are not just books—they are a gateway to a magical land that continues to inspire and captivate.
Who wouldn’t give these books a five-star review? They are, without a doubt, a cornerstone of classic literature and a must-read for anyone who loves a good adventure. Highly recommended!
What makes these books so special is their ability to capture the imagination and hearts of readers of all ages. The characters are richly drawn, the adventures are thrilling, and the underlying themes of courage, friendship, and redemption are beautifully woven into the narrative. There’s something incredibly wholesome about the way Lewis crafts his world, making it feel both familiar and fantastical.
The sense of nostalgia I felt while reading these books was overwhelming. It’s a testament to Lewis’s storytelling prowess that these tales remain as enchanting now as they were when I first read them. The Chronicles of Narnia are not just books—they are a gateway to a magical land that continues to inspire and captivate.
Who wouldn’t give these books a five-star review? They are, without a doubt, a cornerstone of classic literature and a must-read for anyone who loves a good adventure. Highly recommended!
March 7, 2019
I missed out reading this when i was younger (err..correction.when i was waaaay much younger haha..) and wanted to find some light reading for my stressful days.
I enjoyed the fantasy world Mr Lewis created way back in the 1950s when dystopian worlds was not the flavour of YA's. Numerous fairies, dwarfs, fauns and centaurs were magical beings that used to engage the minds of children who were always wanting to be prince and princesses. These 3 volumes were written at different times but Mr Lewis indicated that this is the order that it should be read.
I liked that the tone of these books which was akin to the voice of a grandfather telling stories to his grandchildren...some off hand remarks or comments made by him was really funny.!
There were illustrations by Pauline Baynes throughout this edition and that made the book more charming...it was a breath of fresh air to turn the page and look at them while in the midst of all the action in the stories.
Recommended for adults to read aloud to kids. It's more fun to do this, rather than playing games on your mobile phones 😁 ( don't shoot me, i am entitled to my opinion!)
I enjoyed the fantasy world Mr Lewis created way back in the 1950s when dystopian worlds was not the flavour of YA's. Numerous fairies, dwarfs, fauns and centaurs were magical beings that used to engage the minds of children who were always wanting to be prince and princesses. These 3 volumes were written at different times but Mr Lewis indicated that this is the order that it should be read.
I liked that the tone of these books which was akin to the voice of a grandfather telling stories to his grandchildren...some off hand remarks or comments made by him was really funny.!
There were illustrations by Pauline Baynes throughout this edition and that made the book more charming...it was a breath of fresh air to turn the page and look at them while in the midst of all the action in the stories.
Recommended for adults to read aloud to kids. It's more fun to do this, rather than playing games on your mobile phones 😁 ( don't shoot me, i am entitled to my opinion!)
January 19, 2021
Most people prefer or are most familiar with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, which was written first but is chronologically the third book in the series. The Magician’s Nephew is numbered as the first story, because it shows us the origins for several elements that we see later in the series. This is the novel where we discover how the White Witch came to Narnia, why a lamppost exists in a magical world, and of course, the source of the wardrobe itself. And as wonderful as the rest of the series is, it is those simple, humble beginnings, those tiny incidences that send giant ripples into the future, affecting all the stories down the line, that make The Magician’s Nephew my favorite book in that collection.
I have more to say about this book (and others!) in my blog! Read it here:
http://www.lynnwallaceauthor.com/blog...
I have more to say about this book (and others!) in my blog! Read it here:
http://www.lynnwallaceauthor.com/blog...
September 29, 2023
The Narnian Chronicles were my favourite books when I was aged 11 - 14. I loved the varied characters and the way the principal players develop in a credible way. I loved the tales, the descriptions of different worlds, the feeling of being a virtual traveller in very exciting places. I didn't see the strong religious Christian analogies and dogma and I didn't spot the racism and sexism.
Here, in the Magicians Nephew, I adore the depiction of Victorian London.
I loved the Narnian books as a child yet it represents the values of the early 20c. C S Lewis was brought up in an all-male household and only at the end of his life did he develop a strong loving relationship with a Jewish American woman who rocked his ideas of womanhood. This late romance was tenderly and sensitively depicted in Shadowlands a great film starring Anthony Hopkins
Here, in the Magicians Nephew, I adore the depiction of Victorian London.
I loved the Narnian books as a child yet it represents the values of the early 20c. C S Lewis was brought up in an all-male household and only at the end of his life did he develop a strong loving relationship with a Jewish American woman who rocked his ideas of womanhood. This late romance was tenderly and sensitively depicted in Shadowlands a great film starring Anthony Hopkins
October 26, 2025
CONTENT Profanity(by a bad cgarrie in a thick accent), perhaos apparent witchcraft (but she's not human)
MESSAGES heed wise counsel, be humble, acting in anger can lead to unpleasent circumstances, God understands us
WRITING To me, it feels like CS Lewis invited us over to tell us a story. So we loose some immersion, and gain in a certain kind of cuddly feel.
CONCLUSION I like it! These book were my childhood, and so much fun. < 3 However, if plot holes bother you, these stories could get a little frustrating at times.
These are however, just my feelings about the work; other may well interpret it differently.
MESSAGES heed wise counsel, be humble, acting in anger can lead to unpleasent circumstances, God understands us
WRITING To me, it feels like CS Lewis invited us over to tell us a story. So we loose some immersion, and gain in a certain kind of cuddly feel.
CONCLUSION I like it! These book were my childhood, and so much fun. < 3 However, if plot holes bother you, these stories could get a little frustrating at times.
These are however, just my feelings about the work; other may well interpret it differently.
February 18, 2025
Classic of course, another series that feels weird to review since it is objectively legendary. What I can say is that Narnia isn't just for children, it contains themes that resonate with human beings in general. Lewis was a master at writing "True Myth." These books should be read in all schools, private and public. TLWW will always be the GOAT, with TMN following closely behind.
I will forever be on team publishing order, not chronological order. If you disagree you are wrong. If even Lewis himself disagrees, he is wrong.
I will forever be on team publishing order, not chronological order. If you disagree you are wrong. If even Lewis himself disagrees, he is wrong.
August 11, 2019
L'inizio di un mondo, di molte storie, di molte avventure. I buoni che non sono mai solo buoni, i cattivi che sanno esserlo fino in fondo. Ho voluto colmare una delle mie innumerevoli lacune, è un racconto per ragazzi, ma per chi non è troppo avvezzo al fantasy può trovarlo comunque una lettura piacevole e leggera. Trooooppo simile alla Genesi biblica, ma da qualche punto si doveva pur iniziare. Leggerò anche gli altri.
January 17, 2022
I have spent forever trying to finish "the horse and the boy" and I'm still not done with it. Asides that I really enjoyed every book.
The Lion, The witch and The wardrobe was my favorite movie as a child and is still my favorite. It was fun having to relive old memories.
I'm so glad I got introduced to C.S Lewis books, though it takes me forever to finish any of his books. I love how explicit and imaginative his books are.
The Lion, The witch and The wardrobe was my favorite movie as a child and is still my favorite. It was fun having to relive old memories.
I'm so glad I got introduced to C.S Lewis books, though it takes me forever to finish any of his books. I love how explicit and imaginative his books are.
April 18, 2024
i think the book it's good, because the story is out of the box, also i love this book becuase this book is telling about magic.
- Digory and Polly embark on a journey of self discovery and moral growth, learning valuable lessons about the consequences of their actions and the true nature of friendship and loyalty.
Through the character of Uncle Andrew and his misguided pursuit of power, destructive greed and the dangers of manipulating power cost many people their lives.
- Digory and Polly embark on a journey of self discovery and moral growth, learning valuable lessons about the consequences of their actions and the true nature of friendship and loyalty.
Through the character of Uncle Andrew and his misguided pursuit of power, destructive greed and the dangers of manipulating power cost many people their lives.
July 17, 2018
Surprisingly I preferred The magicians nephew and The horse and his boy to the Lion, the witch and the wardrobe. That's probably because I already knew the story. I found the magicians nephew fascinating since it's about how everything started and the horse and his boy was great because I loved the middle eastern setting and the idea of escaping and going on a journey.
June 21, 2022
I have always loved the chronicles of Narnia, as a child I fantasied about enter objects like wardrobes and walking into Narnia.
The story plot is creative, the context got me confused for a while but I just let my imagination take over.
I still have to read the rest but I'm looking forward to it.
The story plot is creative, the context got me confused for a while but I just let my imagination take over.
I still have to read the rest but I'm looking forward to it.
March 6, 2023
I read 'The Magician's Nephew'. To be honest, I can't realize the major point of this story. Maybe because this is the step for setting the background for long series. However, it was impressive that Polly kept trying not to let Digory get into a dangerous situation. Even little Polly tried to help Digory, but it was so sad that the adult uncle and Queen of Cham tried to hurt the children.
April 5, 2024
Stile fiabesco molto semplice. Tantissime metafore e avventure. Prima esperienza con Le cronache di Narnia devo dire molto positiva, nonostante sia decisamente fuori target.
Il nipote del mago: 3,5⭐️
Il leone, la strega e l’armadio: 3,5⭐️
Un ragazzo e il suo cavallo: 4⭐️
Non vedo l’ora di continuare!
Il nipote del mago: 3,5⭐️
Il leone, la strega e l’armadio: 3,5⭐️
Un ragazzo e il suo cavallo: 4⭐️
Non vedo l’ora di continuare!
March 26, 2025
I enjoyed reading all seven of the books in the chronicles of Narnia series i would have to say each book is different and unique in its own way which makes it so no matter which book you read first in the chronicles of Narnia series you will have a fun time reading it. my favorite is the chronicles of Narnia the lion the witch and the wardrobe.
July 16, 2025
I remember watching "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" in 2005. It was a great movie! At the time, I didn’t realize it was based on a book, and I also didn't know it was part of a book series. After that, I read the books and later watched the older movie that was made in 1988. I loved that version even more than the 2005 adaptation.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 30, 2025
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is a 5-Star wonderful classic, and The Magician's Nephew is a fantastic 5-Star prequel providing many answers to questions and wonderings. However, The Horse and His Boy is a so-so 3-Stars story that has very little to do with the other tales and moves rather slowly. Hence, the 4-Stars altogether.
August 22, 2021
What an exciting ending! It lets you know that there is more to follow, but leads you into the next book also. New worlds and older ones too, what an exciting way to explore. And good triumphs over evil although evil is really strong.
August 24, 2023
Il nipote del mago
Finora avevo visto solo il film è mi aspettavo proprio qualcosa di completamente diverso. Tuttavia la lettura rimane piacevole, breve e leggera.
È un’introduzione al mondo di Narnia, la storia della sua scoperta e creazione.
Finora avevo visto solo il film è mi aspettavo proprio qualcosa di completamente diverso. Tuttavia la lettura rimane piacevole, breve e leggera.
È un’introduzione al mondo di Narnia, la storia della sua scoperta e creazione.
February 12, 2024
Extremely on the nose Biblical references (son of Adam, daughter of eve, resurrection etc), sex and primogeniture hierarchies, and even race (the witch is bad because she pretends to be human though she isn't really). No nuance or twists in plot. Don't understand how this became a classic. This is not literature.
September 6, 2024
Non sapevo cosa aspettarmi, se qualcosa tipo Harry potter o ill signore deli anelli, invece proprio no, devo dire che è solo una favola per bambini. Ben scritta e molto carina ma anche molto molto semplice.
Comunque interessante da leggere
Comunque interessante da leggere
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