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Tales of Narnia: The Magician's Nephew; the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe; the Horse and His Boy
Review from Amazon.com:
"This large, deluxe hardcover edition of the first title in the classic Chronicles of Narnia series, The Magician's Nephew, is a gorgeous introduction to the magical land of Narnia. The many readers who discovered C.S. Lewis's Chronicles through The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe will be delighted to find that the next volume in the series is actually the first in the sequence--and a step back in time. In this unforgettable story, British schoolchildren Polly and Digory inadvertently tumble into the Wood Between the Worlds, where they meet the evil Queen Jadis and, ultimately, the great, mysterious King Aslan. We witness the birth of Narnia and discover the legendary source of all the adventures that are to follow in the seven books that comprise the series.
Rich, heavy pages, a gold-embossed cover, and Pauline Baynes's original illustrations (hand-colored by the illustrator herself 40 years later) make this special edition of a classic a bona fide treasure. (Ages 9 and older) --Emilie Coulter --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title."
"This large, deluxe hardcover edition of the first title in the classic Chronicles of Narnia series, The Magician's Nephew, is a gorgeous introduction to the magical land of Narnia. The many readers who discovered C.S. Lewis's Chronicles through The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe will be delighted to find that the next volume in the series is actually the first in the sequence--and a step back in time. In this unforgettable story, British schoolchildren Polly and Digory inadvertently tumble into the Wood Between the Worlds, where they meet the evil Queen Jadis and, ultimately, the great, mysterious King Aslan. We witness the birth of Narnia and discover the legendary source of all the adventures that are to follow in the seven books that comprise the series.
Rich, heavy pages, a gold-embossed cover, and Pauline Baynes's original illustrations (hand-colored by the illustrator herself 40 years later) make this special edition of a classic a bona fide treasure. (Ages 9 and older) --Emilie Coulter --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title."
64 pages, Hardcover
First published April 6, 1999
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168 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
October 13, 2016
I decide to re read the Narnia series after coming across a beautiful boxed set of all seven novels. Mainly this was out of nostalgia, as these were some of my favourites when I was young, and I was interested to see how they held up as adults. I found them all to be written very clearly with provocative descriptive prose, and narrative that often draws the reader immediately into the story.
"The Magician's Nephew" is more clearly a children's tail than any of the other stories. In terms of construction is it relatively formulaic compared to the other novels, beginning with the children discovering strange rings which transport them to Narnia in its period of creation.
This is where the book differs from the others in the sequence. We get to see Narnia created from almost nothing, the birth or "arrival" of the godly Aslan, and the seeds of "The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe" in particular. The Christian metaphors are laid on a little thickly here, but a child wouldn't notice them, nor would the allusions to Christ or Adam and Eve spoil their enjoyment. As an adult I found the story very readable.
"The Magician's Nephew" is more clearly a children's tail than any of the other stories. In terms of construction is it relatively formulaic compared to the other novels, beginning with the children discovering strange rings which transport them to Narnia in its period of creation.
This is where the book differs from the others in the sequence. We get to see Narnia created from almost nothing, the birth or "arrival" of the godly Aslan, and the seeds of "The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe" in particular. The Christian metaphors are laid on a little thickly here, but a child wouldn't notice them, nor would the allusions to Christ or Adam and Eve spoil their enjoyment. As an adult I found the story very readable.
February 27, 2022
The Prequel to The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. i was surprised to find that I enjoyed this little prequel story a bit more than the most famous novel in the series.
Two children, Diggory Kirke and Polly Plummer cross paths one fateful summer evening and quickly become friends. They retreat to the attic of Diggory's eccentric Uncle Andrew the (magician's)? house where they're whisked away to a magical land after being tricked into touching some strange rings that Andrew keeps in his secret study. Led astray into a mysterious land by Diggory's crazed uncle, the two children get wrapped up in a conflict against an evil sorceress named Jadis that follows them back to their own world and threatens the denizens of all the worlds linked together by invisible magic forces.
The story is a fun and simple adventure story about two kids saving the world from a sorceress and creating a paradise with the help of goofy adult companions and magical creatures from other worlds. This has more of a whimsical and upbeat feel to it than Lion and the Wardrobe in my opinion. It gave me the same type of warm feeling as stuff like Alice in Wonderland, Kiki's Delivery Service and the early Harry Potter books.
A lot of the dialogue and jokes were actually very funny, especially the commentary from the adult characters remarking on all the whacky stuff that's happening around them every second. These little tidbits are what makes this one of the better Narnia books.
Two children, Diggory Kirke and Polly Plummer cross paths one fateful summer evening and quickly become friends. They retreat to the attic of Diggory's eccentric Uncle Andrew the (magician's)? house where they're whisked away to a magical land after being tricked into touching some strange rings that Andrew keeps in his secret study. Led astray into a mysterious land by Diggory's crazed uncle, the two children get wrapped up in a conflict against an evil sorceress named Jadis that follows them back to their own world and threatens the denizens of all the worlds linked together by invisible magic forces.
The story is a fun and simple adventure story about two kids saving the world from a sorceress and creating a paradise with the help of goofy adult companions and magical creatures from other worlds. This has more of a whimsical and upbeat feel to it than Lion and the Wardrobe in my opinion. It gave me the same type of warm feeling as stuff like Alice in Wonderland, Kiki's Delivery Service and the early Harry Potter books.
A lot of the dialogue and jokes were actually very funny, especially the commentary from the adult characters remarking on all the whacky stuff that's happening around them every second. These little tidbits are what makes this one of the better Narnia books.
February 2, 2020
I've had these set of books on my shelf for a long, long time. I must have attempted them once or twice as the first 100 pages or so I vaguely recognised. So, I was pleased when we picked the lion, the witch and the wardrobe to read to finally make use of them.
They have not aged well. The language I found cloying and I could practically smell, and therefore gip, at all those references to Turkish delight. In the modern editions, this should be substituted to galaxy milk chocolate as an alternative.
There are difficult topics which I don't remember at all, including sexism and slavery. I have read a few comments from other people on this and whether it's appropriate for a modern audience, or whether children are better off not knowing these things exist, or perhaps using it as a platform for discussion. It's not something that can ever be answered satisfactorily but censorship is something i think is more dangerous, ultimately.
I know I should have read these when I was young and naieve, rather than forcing myself through them now, but I would like to say I had finished, and given the series a chance.
They have not aged well. The language I found cloying and I could practically smell, and therefore gip, at all those references to Turkish delight. In the modern editions, this should be substituted to galaxy milk chocolate as an alternative.
There are difficult topics which I don't remember at all, including sexism and slavery. I have read a few comments from other people on this and whether it's appropriate for a modern audience, or whether children are better off not knowing these things exist, or perhaps using it as a platform for discussion. It's not something that can ever be answered satisfactorily but censorship is something i think is more dangerous, ultimately.
I know I should have read these when I was young and naieve, rather than forcing myself through them now, but I would like to say I had finished, and given the series a chance.
June 20, 2022
Chronologically speaking, this is the first volume of The Chronicles of Narnia. Lewis writes fantastic characters with flaws that help drive the action. And excellent action it is, too. The pace and interest build as the pages turn, and that is how any good story is. The villains are evil enough to add tension, and the knuckle headed Magician (uncle) is an accomplice that I find so unlikeable I can not feel any sympathy for him when things take a massive downturn for him. It's a great start to the Chronicles, and it certainly motivated me to read volume two (or one, depending on how you look at things).
March 7, 2023
A very magical and special story to read at first. The story has a lot of depth and it has a use of very power full language.
I love all the animals inside the book and it is a very good story. Whilst reading the story I lost track of time and it is very easy to transmit yourself inside the story. The first time I read this book it looked boring because it was like any other story but that changed when I kept reading and it felt like a charm.
Overall I love this book, I soaked it up in every way possible.
I love all the animals inside the book and it is a very good story. Whilst reading the story I lost track of time and it is very easy to transmit yourself inside the story. The first time I read this book it looked boring because it was like any other story but that changed when I kept reading and it felt like a charm.
Overall I love this book, I soaked it up in every way possible.
October 30, 2023
We stumbled across this book at the public library a few years ago, and I have been trying (unsuccessfully) to get my hands on another copy ever since. Alas, it appears to be extremely rare - which is so sad, because it's such a treasure! The Magician's Nephew remains my favorite of the Narnia books, and Robin Lawrie's illustrations bring the story to life in a fresh and exciting way. If you can find a copy, I definitely recommend it! (If you should happen to find TWO copies, and if you should find it in your heart to send us one, we shall reward you handsomely. 😊)
October 24, 2021
awful. hated it. dont read it. worst book ever. waste of time.
July 16, 2022
Just a great story. Read it with 5 and 8 year old nephew and niece and they mostly enjoyed it. It was for bed time and they tend to sleep well.
September 30, 2022
8/10 - bardzo dobra.
Read
December 24, 2024I can see why piranesi was inspired by it and i did in fact enjoy it 👍
May 25, 2025
I liked it, it was cool
July 5, 2025
The first novel in the Narnia series sows the seeds (literally!) for The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe and all that follows.
An enjoyable read, full of wonder for both children and adults, as we read of the dawn of Narnia and meet Aslan for the first time.
The Chronicles of Narnia is my summer series read this year, and this has whet my appetite.
An enjoyable read, full of wonder for both children and adults, as we read of the dawn of Narnia and meet Aslan for the first time.
The Chronicles of Narnia is my summer series read this year, and this has whet my appetite.
April 15, 2022
Narina is one of my favorite/comfort series. I didn't know this was a thing until I accidentally found it at the library.
The illustrations are absolutely beautiful and I love seeing another unquie interpretation of what Narina & those who live it would look like.
The illustrations are absolutely beautiful and I love seeing another unquie interpretation of what Narina & those who live it would look like.
January 4, 2024
I borrowed this book from my school library in elementary school but never finished it. I remember the day I read the back of the book and was so intrigued by the synopsis. As I got through the first two chapters it was like I was back in elementary and no time had past. His words had stuff with me all this time that I felt like I had just read it recently.
I enjoyed the chaos that developed as the story went on. I found myself thinking how is this the prequel for the Chronicles of Narnia. But as the story wrapped up it was a beautiful unveiling of their deep connection. It put a wide smile on my face when bits and pieces of Narnia came into this story.
I recommend to read this book before The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. It sets up the world of Narnia in such an important way and I was glad I was able to get some information about Narnia’s history before I started to read the next book.
I enjoyed the chaos that developed as the story went on. I found myself thinking how is this the prequel for the Chronicles of Narnia. But as the story wrapped up it was a beautiful unveiling of their deep connection. It put a wide smile on my face when bits and pieces of Narnia came into this story.
I recommend to read this book before The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. It sets up the world of Narnia in such an important way and I was glad I was able to get some information about Narnia’s history before I started to read the next book.
September 12, 2007
Next to The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, this is my favorite in the Chronicles of Narnia.
October 1, 2007
thanks to claire for encouraging me to start reading this collection. her copies are old-school and have awesome pictures : )
Images that will stay with me.
Images that will stay with me.
November 11, 2011
Graphic novel/comic book retelling of the Magician's Nephew by Robin Lawrie. My 9yo sister loves this.
September 25, 2014
I liked this book, very interesting read
February 6, 2015
Loved it-ready to dive into the magical world of Narnia!
Read
April 29, 2015*I actually read the regular Magician's Nephew, but GoodReads'll take it off another year's list if i put it on this one.*
December 3, 2015
Meh, it's no Lion, Witch, and Wardrobe, but it'll only take you an hour or two and it tells how Narnia began, and why the Professor is so cool.
Want to read
August 16, 2014How can I read this book? Is this book's just a cover or what?
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews