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The Chronicles of Narnia #2
El príncipe Caspian
El príncipe lucha por su corona, al tiempo que descubre la verdadera historia de su pueblo, los telmarinos, unos auténticos piratas terrestres...
Los Pevensie acuden a Narnia de nuevo para ayudar al príncipe a recuperar el trono que legítimamente le corresponde. Caspian reúne un ejército para liberar a su país de un rey desleal. Un combate de honor entre dos hombres solos decidirá el destino de todo un mundo.
Narnia, la tierra donde todo puede suceder.
Los Pevensie acuden a Narnia de nuevo para ayudar al príncipe a recuperar el trono que legítimamente le corresponde. Caspian reúne un ejército para liberar a su país de un rey desleal. Un combate de honor entre dos hombres solos decidirá el destino de todo un mundo.
Narnia, la tierra donde todo puede suceder.
280 pages, Hardcover
First published October 15, 1951
About the author
C.S. Lewis
1,203 books49.8k 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 16,156 reviews
January 13, 2016
I read this aloud to my older boy, age 6.
It's a good book, and he enjoyed it, but didn't ring the bell in the same way Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe did. I think the biggest reason for this, was that it wasn't as accessible to him.
The first issue was the non-linear story. Which has the potential to confuse. Later, Lewis splits the party in a way that divides the action in the story.
But the biggest issue is that the characters lapse into archaic, courtly English when the a bunch of the people are talking at the end of the book. (Because the siblings used to be kings and queens, and they're talking with the nobility of the Telemarines.)
It's not just unfamiliar language to children. It's unfamiliar and archaic language. (Doubly archaic now, as Lewis wrote these 50 years ago.) My boy couldn't follow it at all, as there were 2-4 unfamiliar terms used in every sentence, and context can only stretch so far.) Because of that, Oot couldn't understand whole sections of the climax of the book, when the Telmarines were talking among themselves, and planning on betraying their king. (A vital plot point he couldn't get because it was only made explicit in this dialogue.)
As a result, I had to skim, skip, or summarize big chunks of the book so he could get it. Maybe in a year or two, he would have been fine. (Also, keep in mind that my boy is extremely vocabulary. We've been reading to him since he was six months old. Results with your own child may vary.)
Sexism a little more present here, but not oppressive or malicious. Still, you can't deny that the boys go off to duel and do battle stuff, while the girls hang out with Aslan and go wake the trees.
This book had better characters that the first book of the series. Nikabrik is a great example of a good guy gone bad. Trumpkin and Trufflehunter are great as well.
But Reepicheep is the real star here. Perhaps the best character in all of Narnia, excepting Aslan himself.
Lastly, and mostly as a side note, Lewis really knocked it out of the park in terms of names. Nikabrik is a great name for a venomous black dwarf. Glenstorm the proud centaur. Wimbleweather the dim but kind giant.
And Reepicheep, of course. I don't know if a name has ever fit a character better than "Reepicheep" does....
It's a good book, and he enjoyed it, but didn't ring the bell in the same way Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe did. I think the biggest reason for this, was that it wasn't as accessible to him.
The first issue was the non-linear story. Which has the potential to confuse. Later, Lewis splits the party in a way that divides the action in the story.
But the biggest issue is that the characters lapse into archaic, courtly English when the a bunch of the people are talking at the end of the book. (Because the siblings used to be kings and queens, and they're talking with the nobility of the Telemarines.)
It's not just unfamiliar language to children. It's unfamiliar and archaic language. (Doubly archaic now, as Lewis wrote these 50 years ago.) My boy couldn't follow it at all, as there were 2-4 unfamiliar terms used in every sentence, and context can only stretch so far.) Because of that, Oot couldn't understand whole sections of the climax of the book, when the Telmarines were talking among themselves, and planning on betraying their king. (A vital plot point he couldn't get because it was only made explicit in this dialogue.)
As a result, I had to skim, skip, or summarize big chunks of the book so he could get it. Maybe in a year or two, he would have been fine. (Also, keep in mind that my boy is extremely vocabulary. We've been reading to him since he was six months old. Results with your own child may vary.)
Sexism a little more present here, but not oppressive or malicious. Still, you can't deny that the boys go off to duel and do battle stuff, while the girls hang out with Aslan and go wake the trees.
This book had better characters that the first book of the series. Nikabrik is a great example of a good guy gone bad. Trumpkin and Trufflehunter are great as well.
But Reepicheep is the real star here. Perhaps the best character in all of Narnia, excepting Aslan himself.
Lastly, and mostly as a side note, Lewis really knocked it out of the park in terms of names. Nikabrik is a great name for a venomous black dwarf. Glenstorm the proud centaur. Wimbleweather the dim but kind giant.
And Reepicheep, of course. I don't know if a name has ever fit a character better than "Reepicheep" does....
August 18, 2024
Peter, Edmund, Susan, and Lucy are back!
Peter, Edmund, Susan, and Lucy are on their way back to school in the normal world when they are suddenly pulled back into the world of Narnia. But things aren't as they were when they left Narnia! And why are the children back in Narnia?
Prince Caspian is my second favorite Narnia book so far just behind The Magician's Nephew. This book had all of the magic and excitement. Lewis dived right into the action in the very first chapter. No 200 page warm up here. There was one section of the book which I thought a bit unbelievable. It was when the children wanted to cross the stream and magically a boat came into view at that very moment. At first, this was quite off-putting to me because it wasn't realistic. However, when considering all things, I was quite happy to let it go. The book is 223 pages, and it was better to have a little bit of unbelievable than to spend 50 pages just trying to find a boat. Personally, I would prefer some action than dragging a story along just to be believable.
Overall, this was an action packed short book that gives the reader some food for thought.
2025 Reading Schedule
Jan A Town Like Alice
Feb Birdsong
Mar Captain Corelli's Mandolin - Louis De Berniere
Apr War and Peace
May The Woman in White
Jun Atonement
Jul The Shadow of the Wind
Aug Jude the Obscure
Sep Ulysses
Oct Vanity Fair
Nov A Fine Balance
Dec Germinal
Connect With Me!
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Peter, Edmund, Susan, and Lucy are on their way back to school in the normal world when they are suddenly pulled back into the world of Narnia. But things aren't as they were when they left Narnia! And why are the children back in Narnia?
Prince Caspian is my second favorite Narnia book so far just behind The Magician's Nephew. This book had all of the magic and excitement. Lewis dived right into the action in the very first chapter. No 200 page warm up here. There was one section of the book which I thought a bit unbelievable. It was when the children wanted to cross the stream and magically a boat came into view at that very moment. At first, this was quite off-putting to me because it wasn't realistic. However, when considering all things, I was quite happy to let it go. The book is 223 pages, and it was better to have a little bit of unbelievable than to spend 50 pages just trying to find a boat. Personally, I would prefer some action than dragging a story along just to be believable.
Overall, this was an action packed short book that gives the reader some food for thought.
2025 Reading Schedule
Jan A Town Like Alice
Feb Birdsong
Mar Captain Corelli's Mandolin - Louis De Berniere
Apr War and Peace
May The Woman in White
Jun Atonement
Jul The Shadow of the Wind
Aug Jude the Obscure
Sep Ulysses
Oct Vanity Fair
Nov A Fine Balance
Dec Germinal
Connect With Me!
Blog Twitter BookTube Insta My Bookstore at Pango
November 8, 2014
Hamlet with badgers.
February 19, 2026
"You doubt your value. Don't run from who you are."The Pevensie siblings (Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy) spent the last year daydreaming about Narnia. Despite the horrors of the White Witch, but they constantly think about returning to Narnia for they are only truly themselves when they are with Aslan.
And when they suddenly find themselves thrust back into Narnia, they discover one very, very important thing:
"Feeling like the voice she liked best in all the world was calling her name."
The siblings soon realize that time moves far differently in Narnia than it does in the real world. A thousand years have passed and everyone they once knew have long since passed. It's up to them to put the one, true prince on Narnia's throne and right the world that has gone so far astray.
"Things never happen the same way twice."
I did appreciate how C. S. Lewis wrote his female characters with a bit of spunk and sass in them:
Though, I did notice that the gals never got to do any sword-fighting and did spend a lot of time being protected by their brothers. Ah well. It was a sign of the times.
“That's the worst of girls," said Edmund to Peter and the Dwarf. "They never can carry a map in their heads."
"That's because our heads have something inside them," said Lucy.
And while I really enjoyed catching up with Lucy and co., I was hugely disappointed to learn about the time-jump. I just couldn't believe that C. S. Lewis wrote off the Beaver family and Mr. Tumnus so quickly. We still have Aslan but I missed the side-characters I fell in love with.
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Audiobook Comments
Read by Lynn Redgrave and it was rather well done. Enjoyable to listen to!
January 26, 2025
The Pevensies are pulled and tugged by invisible forces from a train station platform to another reality again, this time they find a world of overgrown lands with acres and acres of nature gone wild; they also find the ancient ruins of a palace, and the longer they are marooned in this strange land, the more familiar it gets!
Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter are back on a magical adventure, but where are they? And what does their appearance have to do with the runaway Prince Caspian in Narnia? Another wonderful high fantasy tale written in the more innocent age of the 1950s and classically drawn by Pauline Baynes - I can't imagine reading these books with illustrations by anyone else! C.S. Lewis' second offering and sequel to his first The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, is just as spellbinding but with more mysteries and multiple sub-plots. With this series, that I know that I adore so much because I first fell in love with it as a child, I remember my first read of this book being such a thrill with the early big plot-twist that a first-time child reader may not see coming! 8 out of 12, forever Four Star read.
2025, 2021. 2016 and 2004 read
Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter are back on a magical adventure, but where are they? And what does their appearance have to do with the runaway Prince Caspian in Narnia? Another wonderful high fantasy tale written in the more innocent age of the 1950s and classically drawn by Pauline Baynes - I can't imagine reading these books with illustrations by anyone else! C.S. Lewis' second offering and sequel to his first The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, is just as spellbinding but with more mysteries and multiple sub-plots. With this series, that I know that I adore so much because I first fell in love with it as a child, I remember my first read of this book being such a thrill with the early big plot-twist that a first-time child reader may not see coming! 8 out of 12, forever Four Star read.
2025, 2021. 2016 and 2004 read
January 18, 2025
What a wealth of sensible Goodness there is in a Lewis novel!
The kids are back in Narnia. Their presence is so urgently required - they just know their inner feelings are amiss! And already we have picked up two of the most telling features of Lewis' faith -
The primacy to religion of intuition and serendipity.
If we don't have one we can't have the other. We must become like a little child to see.
And with that conclusion we will start to see things in Caspian that we've never seen. Like the difference between little kids and teens in our everyday world. And here, in Prince Caspian...
Take young Edmund - old enough to think and act as sensibly as his older siblings, he still nevertheless feels his way through life like a kid. For he is the first one to see Aslan when Lucy points out the obvious.
You see, in Lion, Witch and Wardrobe he was roundly Convicted for his underhanded actions. He has learned again to be self-attentive!
Unless you become a little child... for yes, Lucy showed the obvious childhood magic in life to Edmund and the others. She has the Gift.
The doubting Peter would never have helped reinstate Narnia's fallen glory by defeating Miraz otherwise. For NOW they can all put their adult quick reactions to good use.
Lucy made them SEE Aslan - as Don Juan made Carlos Castaneda SEE his visions - through the White Magic of Childhood.
Magic's a rum thing.
At our coming of age we LOSE it.
But we can all RE-LEARN it -
By paying Close, INTUITIVE Attention to the wonderful world around us...
Like an Sensitively Self-Attentive Adult.
The kids are back in Narnia. Their presence is so urgently required - they just know their inner feelings are amiss! And already we have picked up two of the most telling features of Lewis' faith -
The primacy to religion of intuition and serendipity.
If we don't have one we can't have the other. We must become like a little child to see.
And with that conclusion we will start to see things in Caspian that we've never seen. Like the difference between little kids and teens in our everyday world. And here, in Prince Caspian...
Take young Edmund - old enough to think and act as sensibly as his older siblings, he still nevertheless feels his way through life like a kid. For he is the first one to see Aslan when Lucy points out the obvious.
You see, in Lion, Witch and Wardrobe he was roundly Convicted for his underhanded actions. He has learned again to be self-attentive!
Unless you become a little child... for yes, Lucy showed the obvious childhood magic in life to Edmund and the others. She has the Gift.
The doubting Peter would never have helped reinstate Narnia's fallen glory by defeating Miraz otherwise. For NOW they can all put their adult quick reactions to good use.
Lucy made them SEE Aslan - as Don Juan made Carlos Castaneda SEE his visions - through the White Magic of Childhood.
Magic's a rum thing.
At our coming of age we LOSE it.
But we can all RE-LEARN it -
By paying Close, INTUITIVE Attention to the wonderful world around us...
Like an Sensitively Self-Attentive Adult.
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March 9, 2026
The atmosphere felt more bittersweet and soulful & the introduction of Caspian added a layer of political intrigue that kept me much more engaged than the White Witch's reign.
I know that most people consider the first book the gold standard, but for me, Prince Caspian is where the series truly found its heart. While the first book is a charming introduction to Narnia, this one felt more grown-up with all the ache of returning to a place you love.
Caspian is a fantastic protagonist- vulnerable yet brave. And his journey to unite the "Old Narnians" against his uncle Miraz was much more compelling to me than the linear journey of the first book. Oh, and the scene between Susan and Caspian was- something!
There is a sense of history and old magic here that feels so much richer. The characters felt more seasoned as they are to fight harder for their faith in Narnia this time around. Seeing the Pevensies return as ancient kings and queens in children’s bodies is such a brilliant concept. Between the swashbuckling Reepicheep (my new favorite character!) and the thrilling and dangerous battle for Narnia’s soul, I couldn't put this down.
My reviews for:
The Magician's Nephew
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
The Horse and His Boy
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
I know that most people consider the first book the gold standard, but for me, Prince Caspian is where the series truly found its heart. While the first book is a charming introduction to Narnia, this one felt more grown-up with all the ache of returning to a place you love.
Caspian is a fantastic protagonist- vulnerable yet brave. And his journey to unite the "Old Narnians" against his uncle Miraz was much more compelling to me than the linear journey of the first book. Oh, and the scene between Susan and Caspian was- something!
There is a sense of history and old magic here that feels so much richer. The characters felt more seasoned as they are to fight harder for their faith in Narnia this time around. Seeing the Pevensies return as ancient kings and queens in children’s bodies is such a brilliant concept. Between the swashbuckling Reepicheep (my new favorite character!) and the thrilling and dangerous battle for Narnia’s soul, I couldn't put this down.
My reviews for:
The Magician's Nephew
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
The Horse and His Boy
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
June 23, 2024
2024
well, turns out if i read the whole narnia series before this, i do understand all the side characters! the interesting thing was i remembered NOTHING from this, so it was like reading it for the first time. the first half was interesting with getting to see the original narnia cast come back, but the second half got so boring? i didn't like the conflict with miraz because it was kind of confusing and i was expecting an all out war instead of a duel. also the villain's name made me think of jason mraz every time so i was just singing i'm yours in my head the whole book and it made him less intimidating.
--
original review, 2017
I'm mad at myself because I wanted to read the first of the Narnia series before reading this one for class, but I didn't quite make it.
I loved this story because I love Lucy and Aslan and Caspian, but there were a lot of side characters who I didn't care much about and the villain in this book wasn't so interesting. Nevertheless, a muuuuch easier read than Lord of the Rings!!
well, turns out if i read the whole narnia series before this, i do understand all the side characters! the interesting thing was i remembered NOTHING from this, so it was like reading it for the first time. the first half was interesting with getting to see the original narnia cast come back, but the second half got so boring? i didn't like the conflict with miraz because it was kind of confusing and i was expecting an all out war instead of a duel. also the villain's name made me think of jason mraz every time so i was just singing i'm yours in my head the whole book and it made him less intimidating.
--
original review, 2017
I'm mad at myself because I wanted to read the first of the Narnia series before reading this one for class, but I didn't quite make it.
I loved this story because I love Lucy and Aslan and Caspian, but there were a lot of side characters who I didn't care much about and the villain in this book wasn't so interesting. Nevertheless, a muuuuch easier read than Lord of the Rings!!
October 29, 2021
i hate endings more than anything in the world.
i know that's not a hot take, but the sheer extent to which i will self-destruct / break down entirely / rain hellfire upon this earth to avoid them might be a little unique. i will undo breakups, perpetuate terrible friendships, and, worst of all, refuse to watch the final episode of TV shows. i will do anything and everything i can think of.
and that's why i only read the first two books in this series, in spite of owning (very cute!) copies of all of them.
i read that it was the two eldest kids' last time in narnia, and, as both an eldest and an avoidant, i said GOODBYE FOREVER hid the series away and moved on with my life in an attempt to avoid ever thinking about how peter and susan must feel.
look. i even remember their names. that's how traumatic this was for me.
good book, though.
this is part of a series i'm doing in which i review books i read a long time ago, revealing my psyche bit by frightening bit
i know that's not a hot take, but the sheer extent to which i will self-destruct / break down entirely / rain hellfire upon this earth to avoid them might be a little unique. i will undo breakups, perpetuate terrible friendships, and, worst of all, refuse to watch the final episode of TV shows. i will do anything and everything i can think of.
and that's why i only read the first two books in this series, in spite of owning (very cute!) copies of all of them.
i read that it was the two eldest kids' last time in narnia, and, as both an eldest and an avoidant, i said GOODBYE FOREVER hid the series away and moved on with my life in an attempt to avoid ever thinking about how peter and susan must feel.
look. i even remember their names. that's how traumatic this was for me.
good book, though.
this is part of a series i'm doing in which i review books i read a long time ago, revealing my psyche bit by frightening bit
February 27, 2017
“Things never happen the same way twice.”
Admittedly Prince Caspian was boring at first for I didn't like the symbolic meaning of the whole book. It was hard to read and that incredible ending nearly shut me out from enjoying, it's abrupt and unsatisfied at all. Although I quie liked the movie, the book is so much different. The pace is excruciatingly slow. I didn't like the over-descriptive narration talking about everything including flowers, sky, and trees.
“Wouldn't it be dreadful if some day in our own world, at home, men start going wild inside, like the animals here, and still look like men, so that you'd never know which were which.”
The first part of this book was acceptable, especially when Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy comes back to Narnia, the vibes of the book is nearly the same as the previous one. But around the middle, the story was a downfall, there're so many subtle meanings between the pages, it gave me such a headache that I had to think about it many times.
However, this book isn't awful. It has the enjoyable parts to keep my attention until the last page. Prince Caspian is as intriguing as always, so much alike his character in the movie.
“Feeling like the voice she liked best in all the world was calling her name.”
https://goo.gl/2jOuq2
July 4, 2024
|| 3.5 stars ||
Oh, this is truly such a charmingly magical fairy tale! There's just something about Narnia that is so beautiful, even if it seems to be quite a dangerous place with a lot of fighting and wars and killing. I think this charming feeling is mostly due to the book's gorgeous writing: No matter what is going on, this book makes it sound so pretty and mystical!
I think it also really helped my enjoyment that I listened to it on audio. Not only did the narrator have a really calming, soothing voice that felt like being wrapped in a warm blanket, it also gave me all the nostalgic vibes that you used to get when being read to by a parent. The narration really made it so much easier for me to get lost in the story and accept some of its silliness; it kind of made me feel like a kid again!
P.S. I was surprised to find that Edmund was my favourite in this book! Especially since he was the only one I didn't like in the first one.
'The Chronicles of Narnia':
1. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe - 4.5 stars
2. Prince Caspian - 3.5 stars
Oh, this is truly such a charmingly magical fairy tale! There's just something about Narnia that is so beautiful, even if it seems to be quite a dangerous place with a lot of fighting and wars and killing. I think this charming feeling is mostly due to the book's gorgeous writing: No matter what is going on, this book makes it sound so pretty and mystical!
I think it also really helped my enjoyment that I listened to it on audio. Not only did the narrator have a really calming, soothing voice that felt like being wrapped in a warm blanket, it also gave me all the nostalgic vibes that you used to get when being read to by a parent. The narration really made it so much easier for me to get lost in the story and accept some of its silliness; it kind of made me feel like a kid again!
P.S. I was surprised to find that Edmund was my favourite in this book! Especially since he was the only one I didn't like in the first one.
'The Chronicles of Narnia':
1. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe - 4.5 stars
2. Prince Caspian - 3.5 stars
August 1, 2026
･ﾟ✧･ﾟ* 𝒫𝓇𝒾𝓃𝒸𝑒 𝒞𝒶𝓈𝓅𝒾𝒶𝓃 𝒷𝓎 𝒞. 𝒮. 𝐿𝑒𝓌𝒾𝓈 ･ﾟ✧･ﾟ*
🌲 ⚔️ 🦁 👑 🏹 🏰
Rating:5/5
{“Things never happen the same way twice, dear one.” }
Returning to Narnia in this second book was an absolute dream, but it was so bittersweet to see how much time had passed! And to think that I had read the first book years ago and never read the remaining books!!
The story completely swept me away. Watching the Pevensies navigate a world that had forgotten its own magic, while Caspian fought against the tyrannical Telmarines to bring back the talking beasts and trees, was pure perfection. The pacing was wonderful, building up to that epic final battle! It's an incredibly rich, nostalgic, and thrilling fantasy adventure which I absolutely adored!!
🌲 ⚔️ 🦁 👑 🏹 🏰
Rating:5/5
{“Things never happen the same way twice, dear one.” }
Returning to Narnia in this second book was an absolute dream, but it was so bittersweet to see how much time had passed! And to think that I had read the first book years ago and never read the remaining books!!
The story completely swept me away. Watching the Pevensies navigate a world that had forgotten its own magic, while Caspian fought against the tyrannical Telmarines to bring back the talking beasts and trees, was pure perfection. The pacing was wonderful, building up to that epic final battle! It's an incredibly rich, nostalgic, and thrilling fantasy adventure which I absolutely adored!!
August 27, 2018
Now unlike The Horse and His Boy I remembered this novel in the Narnia chronicles. That said it was still enjoyable and a wild ride from railway station to Cair Paravel to King Miraz’s castle to the Fords of Beruna to Aslan’s Howe to a railway station. Along the way we meet some new characters in the form of questionable dwarves (rightly so in my opinion), loyal badgers, chattering squirrels and courtly mice, oh and dozy giants.
An enjoyable novel that gives yet more insight into the Narnian world and reinforces the messages of understanding and tolerance, always a good thing.
Again it has to be 4⭐️ without doubt.
An enjoyable novel that gives yet more insight into the Narnian world and reinforces the messages of understanding and tolerance, always a good thing.
Again it has to be 4⭐️ without doubt.
August 21, 2020
This book was an excellent read! I just loved how the story pulled me in. It helped that the characters were well liked and their adventures were exciting. I like Prince Caspian and his curiosities. The stories about the animals were fantastic. It boggled my mind that the time difference between Narnia and real life was so vast! It's also interesting that different people came and took over in the centuries that passed.
The story continued where The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe left off. It's a year later and they are at the train station heading back to boarding school. When one moment they felt something pulled them and the next they found themselves in the woods and on an island. They went swimming for awhile and then they explored looking for fresh water to drink. As they explored, they found an apple orchard and an old broken down castle. Peter solved the mystery of the castle and it surprised them all. Somewhere in Narnia a Prince needed help and it explained why the children were brought back to Narnia. The author again narrated the story.
Prince Caspian was well written and a fast paced read! I enjoyed the siblings' relationship. It's also clear there were different personalities in this story. I like the ending because there was mentioned of a portal. I love portals to a parallel universe! That's too bad the siblings didn't stay as long this time as they did their first trip to Narnia. It's cool that their memory was still intact of all their adventures. I enjoyed the humor in this book. I recommend this classic to everyone.
xoxo, Jasmine at www.howusefulitis.wordpress.com for more details
The story continued where The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe left off. It's a year later and they are at the train station heading back to boarding school. When one moment they felt something pulled them and the next they found themselves in the woods and on an island. They went swimming for awhile and then they explored looking for fresh water to drink. As they explored, they found an apple orchard and an old broken down castle. Peter solved the mystery of the castle and it surprised them all. Somewhere in Narnia a Prince needed help and it explained why the children were brought back to Narnia. The author again narrated the story.
Prince Caspian was well written and a fast paced read! I enjoyed the siblings' relationship. It's also clear there were different personalities in this story. I like the ending because there was mentioned of a portal. I love portals to a parallel universe! That's too bad the siblings didn't stay as long this time as they did their first trip to Narnia. It's cool that their memory was still intact of all their adventures. I enjoyed the humor in this book. I recommend this classic to everyone.
xoxo, Jasmine at www.howusefulitis.wordpress.com for more details
November 3, 2020
Evening reading time with the kids continued with Prince Caspian. Last year we read The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and then we watched both the old cartoon and the recent live action version. The kids frequently asked for the next one, so it was time. Now, I know there is some debate as to the order of the books in The Chronicles of Narnia, but we choose to go with these two first as it seemed like the most cohesive storyline to keep the kid’s attention.
We all enjoyed family time together with this book, which was a reread for me. We had to break the chapters up because they were kind of long to hold the attention of a 6 and 8-year-old. Also, the language is a bit complex at times and I found myself getting all turned around while reading it out loud. Several times we had to stop and go back over a section to make sure we all understood what just happened (not just the kids!) Also, Lewis loves his run on, comma-delineated sentences!
This is a great series for some classic fantasy. It is especially nice if you don’t want to commit to some of the larger classic fantasy tomes. And, while they don’t stick exactly to the plot, a few of the Chronicles have movies to watch afterwards – which is always a bonus for the kids! However, the Prince Caspian movie is over two and a half hours long, so we had to take it in chunks.
Next stop – The Voyage of the Dawn Treader!
We all enjoyed family time together with this book, which was a reread for me. We had to break the chapters up because they were kind of long to hold the attention of a 6 and 8-year-old. Also, the language is a bit complex at times and I found myself getting all turned around while reading it out loud. Several times we had to stop and go back over a section to make sure we all understood what just happened (not just the kids!) Also, Lewis loves his run on, comma-delineated sentences!
This is a great series for some classic fantasy. It is especially nice if you don’t want to commit to some of the larger classic fantasy tomes. And, while they don’t stick exactly to the plot, a few of the Chronicles have movies to watch afterwards – which is always a bonus for the kids! However, the Prince Caspian movie is over two and a half hours long, so we had to take it in chunks.
Next stop – The Voyage of the Dawn Treader!
February 15, 2020
“Lucy buried her head in his mane to hide from his face. But there must have been some magic in his mane. She could feel lion-strength going into her. Quite suddenly she sat up. "I'm sorry, Aslan," she said. "I'm ready now."
"Now you are a lioness," said Aslan. "And now all Narnia will be renewed.”
*note: a review of this whole series is up on my channel!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYscl...
It's not easy to review a book so treasured by many readers who have it as a childhood memory, when you read it for the first time as an adult, with the mind and the heart of a grown-up. I started reading this series in publication order, knowing only the main plot of the first one (because, alas of having seen the movie first), and I was very curious of knowing the rest of the story. Unfortunately, I cannot feel the same love and attachment to these characters as I do, for example, to Harry Potter; but I still like them all, especially Susan. And Aslan, of course.
The plot of this volume was not extremely interesting for me, I guess I find these books to be a little too short for a fantasy book - I like to have a more immersive experience when I read this genre - even though I understand very much that is because of the target age. I liked very much the character of Caspian, and his story was my favourite part of the book. And of course, the whole metaphor of the coming of Aslan, very moving. Anyway, I surely will go on with the series, but maybe not right now. I am still curious to know what happens in the other books!
"Now you are a lioness," said Aslan. "And now all Narnia will be renewed.”
*note: a review of this whole series is up on my channel!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYscl...
It's not easy to review a book so treasured by many readers who have it as a childhood memory, when you read it for the first time as an adult, with the mind and the heart of a grown-up. I started reading this series in publication order, knowing only the main plot of the first one (because, alas of having seen the movie first), and I was very curious of knowing the rest of the story. Unfortunately, I cannot feel the same love and attachment to these characters as I do, for example, to Harry Potter; but I still like them all, especially Susan. And Aslan, of course.
The plot of this volume was not extremely interesting for me, I guess I find these books to be a little too short for a fantasy book - I like to have a more immersive experience when I read this genre - even though I understand very much that is because of the target age. I liked very much the character of Caspian, and his story was my favourite part of the book. And of course, the whole metaphor of the coming of Aslan, very moving. Anyway, I surely will go on with the series, but maybe not right now. I am still curious to know what happens in the other books!
January 10, 2017
This is my fourth journey into the fantastical lands of Narnia, as I have chosen to read the series in chronological rather than publication order.
From the very first line I knew I was sure to love this book as it details the return of the Pevensie children from The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, the most famous and my most beloved Narnia tale. Only one year later in the human world, and centuries later in Narnian time, the children return to find their beloved castle an ivy-clad ruin and the land they knew and loved altered beyond all recognition. Another form of evil has taken control of the lands and the children must once again work with the magical Narnian beasts to free it from the tyrant's control.
Whilst I adored the actual story, some elements of it did make me wince a little. Referring to some little girls as 'plump' and mentioning their 'fat legs' seemed like an unnecessary addition to the text but I also need to remember that these books weren't penned in this century, where such writing is unacceptable.
This entire series touches me on such a deep emotional level, despite the simplicity of the tales. It is such a wonderful feeling to read something that ends with such purity and goodness. I think this is the magic of reading stories aimed at children: in the adult genre this suspended belief would not be tolerated and the 'happily ever afters' would not be believed. We often look for more complex conclusions, but it is so refreshing to read something where good is sure to conquer evil and be content that all that is wrong will be rightfully restored.
From the very first line I knew I was sure to love this book as it details the return of the Pevensie children from The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, the most famous and my most beloved Narnia tale. Only one year later in the human world, and centuries later in Narnian time, the children return to find their beloved castle an ivy-clad ruin and the land they knew and loved altered beyond all recognition. Another form of evil has taken control of the lands and the children must once again work with the magical Narnian beasts to free it from the tyrant's control.
Whilst I adored the actual story, some elements of it did make me wince a little. Referring to some little girls as 'plump' and mentioning their 'fat legs' seemed like an unnecessary addition to the text but I also need to remember that these books weren't penned in this century, where such writing is unacceptable.
This entire series touches me on such a deep emotional level, despite the simplicity of the tales. It is such a wonderful feeling to read something that ends with such purity and goodness. I think this is the magic of reading stories aimed at children: in the adult genre this suspended belief would not be tolerated and the 'happily ever afters' would not be believed. We often look for more complex conclusions, but it is so refreshing to read something where good is sure to conquer evil and be content that all that is wrong will be rightfully restored.
December 28, 2017
One year has passed since Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy went to Narnia through an old Wardrobe and met the bad white witch and the righteous lion. Now they are sitting on a seat at a railway station with trunks and playboxes piled up round them on their way to school.
But Narnia needs them back.
More precisely PRINCE CASPIAN, the true king of Narnia needs them back.
And the children are ready for a new adventure in the land that thousand - years ago they used to be Kings and Queens themselves.
Because time passes at different speeds in Narnia.
And now the landscape has changed and the men are ruling the fairytale land. The talking animals and the mythical creatures are hiding trying to survive. Everyone remembers Narnia's golden age and everyone is hoping that a just King will appear and will bring prosperity and safety again to the rightful population of Narnia.
There two stories in this book that mingle: The story of the prince Caspian and how he claims this throne and the story of the four children’s return to Narnia. It may look confusing when you read it, but everything will make sense after a certain point in the book.
Then begin a new paragraph…..
Sometimes The Chronicles of Narnia remind me the Neverending Story.
But Narnia needs them back.
More precisely PRINCE CASPIAN, the true king of Narnia needs them back.
And the children are ready for a new adventure in the land that thousand - years ago they used to be Kings and Queens themselves.
Because time passes at different speeds in Narnia.
And now the landscape has changed and the men are ruling the fairytale land. The talking animals and the mythical creatures are hiding trying to survive. Everyone remembers Narnia's golden age and everyone is hoping that a just King will appear and will bring prosperity and safety again to the rightful population of Narnia.
There two stories in this book that mingle: The story of the prince Caspian and how he claims this throne and the story of the four children’s return to Narnia. It may look confusing when you read it, but everything will make sense after a certain point in the book.
Then begin a new paragraph…..
Sometimes The Chronicles of Narnia remind me the Neverending Story.
November 30, 2016
Ahhh!! I just love these books so much!! ^_^ They make you feel like you are watching a movie in your head while you are reading every word! (If that makes any sense lol) I love the little bits of humor that C.S. Lewis through in every once and a while like this quote,
“That's the worst of girls," said Edmund to Peter and the Dwarf. "They never can carry a map in their heads."
"That's because our heads have something inside them," said Lucy.”
I don't know why I love that quote so much, but I do :p I definitely recommend this series and of course, the movies are amazing as well! :) I really hope that they make a movie for the Silver Chair soon! Now onto the Voyage of the Dawn Treader next! :D
“That's the worst of girls," said Edmund to Peter and the Dwarf. "They never can carry a map in their heads."
"That's because our heads have something inside them," said Lucy.”
I don't know why I love that quote so much, but I do :p I definitely recommend this series and of course, the movies are amazing as well! :) I really hope that they make a movie for the Silver Chair soon! Now onto the Voyage of the Dawn Treader next! :D
April 13, 2020
By jove it was so nice to be back in Narnia after the Horse and his Boy almost bored me to tears im happy that book 4 got back on track.
Narnia is such a special place, I know people talk about the religious overtones in this series but I'm not seeing them. I see giants, talking lions and how humans whether we mean to or not we ruin every single world we have access too.
Solid 3 stars.
Narnia is such a special place, I know people talk about the religious overtones in this series but I'm not seeing them. I see giants, talking lions and how humans whether we mean to or not we ruin every single world we have access too.
Solid 3 stars.
January 31, 2025
جلد دوم نارنیا ""
شاهزاده کاسپین
اولین بار کتاب نارنیا رو باز کردی و قدم به دنیای جادوییش گذاشتی رو یادته؟ یادته اون لحظههایی رو که هر کلمه رو با شوق میخوندی و آرزو میکردی روزی خودتم مسلفر این دنیا باشی؟ دنیای پر از موجودات باشکوه، درختهای سخنگو، و جنگلهای تاریک، که باوجود این تاریکی نور امید همیشه توش در حال درخشیدن بود؟ خب، قول میدم حالا با شاهزاده کاسپین قراره دوباره همونجوری احساساتی و هیجان زده بشی. چون شاید زمان زیادی از وقایع کتاب اول گذشته باشه، ولی همچنان نارنیا اونقدر جادویی و شگفتانگیزه که نمیخوای و نمیتونی ساعتی ازش دل بکنی.
این بار، داستان یک قدم جلوتر میره و دنیای نارنیا رو در شرایط متفاوتی نشون میده. کتاب "شاهزاده کاسپین"، در حقیقت ادامه ماجراهای قبلی "شیر، کمد، جادوگر" نیست، یک داستان جدیده ولی به نوعی قصه بازگشت امید به جاییه که اونجا ظلمات همه جا و همه چیز رو فرا گرفته. و حالا برای اینکه نارنیا دوباره آزاد بشه، جنگ سختی با ظلم و سیاهی در پیشه. و خب حدس بزن کیا رو قراره دوباره ببینی؟
توی این کتاب، کاسپین، پسر نوجوان شجاع و پر از آرزوییه که برای بازگردوندن آزادی به سرزمینش، با رازهای تاریک گذشته رویرو میشه. تلمارینها که مدت زمان طولانیی بر نارنیا تسلط پیدا کردن، هیچ جایی برای موجودات جادویی و شادابی که روزی در این سرزمین زندگی میکردن، نگذاشتن. کاسپین از بچگی داستانهایی شنیده بود که نارنیا پر از شجاعت، عدالت و جادو بوده، اما حالا با واقعیتی روبهرو میشه که نهتنها از اون داستانها توش خبری نیست، بلکه نشون میره خود سرزمین نارنیا هم خاکستری و بیروح و فرسوده شده. اما این که امید چطور به دل کاسپین راه پیدا میکنه، همون چیزیه که داستان رو جذابتر میکنه.
چهار قهرمان قدیمی یعنی پیتر، سوزان، ادموند و لوسی، دوباره به نارنیا برمیگردن تا به کاسپین کمک کنن. اما این بار برای آزادی، و درنتیجه نبردهایی متفاوتتر، عمیقتر و سختتر پیش رو دارن. این جنگ درحقیقت یک مبارزه درونی برای هرکدوم ازین شخصیتها هم هست. پیتر و سوزان که در نقش رهبرهای نبرد هستن، باید جلوی شک و تردیدهای درونیشون ایستادگی کنن. ادموند باید از گذشته پر از اشتباهاتش عبور کنه، و لوسی که همیشه با قلبش پیش میره، باید عاقلانه رهبری رو بپذیره.و در این مسیر، اصلان، شیر بزرگ نارنیا، بهعنوان نماد خرد و عقل هم همیشه همراهشونه.
این کتاب نه تنها از نجات نارنیا، بلکه از قدرت درونی هر فردی برای تغییر دنیا هم صحبت میکنه. درست مثل کاسپین که باوجود تمامی سختیها و خطراتی که سرراهشه، هیچوقت امیدش رو از دست نمیده. برای نوجوونا، شاهزاده کاسپین در حقیقت بهنوعی یک درس از پذیرش مسئولیتهای بزرگ و رو به رو شدن با واقعیتهای تلخه.
این داستان به ما یاد میده که اگر بتونیم باور کنیم که چیزی به نام جادو هنوز در دلهامون وجود داره، میتونیم دنیای خودمون رو تغییر بدیم.
......
نسخه صوتی کتاب رو از فیدیبو شنیدیم و کتابو با علی همشنوایی کردیم♡
مثل یه گاز از بستنی زمستونیای بچگی، شنیدنش خیلییی کیف داد.
شاهزاده کاسپین
اولین بار کتاب نارنیا رو باز کردی و قدم به دنیای جادوییش گذاشتی رو یادته؟ یادته اون لحظههایی رو که هر کلمه رو با شوق میخوندی و آرزو میکردی روزی خودتم مسلفر این دنیا باشی؟ دنیای پر از موجودات باشکوه، درختهای سخنگو، و جنگلهای تاریک، که باوجود این تاریکی نور امید همیشه توش در حال درخشیدن بود؟ خب، قول میدم حالا با شاهزاده کاسپین قراره دوباره همونجوری احساساتی و هیجان زده بشی. چون شاید زمان زیادی از وقایع کتاب اول گذشته باشه، ولی همچنان نارنیا اونقدر جادویی و شگفتانگیزه که نمیخوای و نمیتونی ساعتی ازش دل بکنی.
این بار، داستان یک قدم جلوتر میره و دنیای نارنیا رو در شرایط متفاوتی نشون میده. کتاب "شاهزاده کاسپین"، در حقیقت ادامه ماجراهای قبلی "شیر، کمد، جادوگر" نیست، یک داستان جدیده ولی به نوعی قصه بازگشت امید به جاییه که اونجا ظلمات همه جا و همه چیز رو فرا گرفته. و حالا برای اینکه نارنیا دوباره آزاد بشه، جنگ سختی با ظلم و سیاهی در پیشه. و خب حدس بزن کیا رو قراره دوباره ببینی؟
توی این کتاب، کاسپین، پسر نوجوان شجاع و پر از آرزوییه که برای بازگردوندن آزادی به سرزمینش، با رازهای تاریک گذشته رویرو میشه. تلمارینها که مدت زمان طولانیی بر نارنیا تسلط پیدا کردن، هیچ جایی برای موجودات جادویی و شادابی که روزی در این سرزمین زندگی میکردن، نگذاشتن. کاسپین از بچگی داستانهایی شنیده بود که نارنیا پر از شجاعت، عدالت و جادو بوده، اما حالا با واقعیتی روبهرو میشه که نهتنها از اون داستانها توش خبری نیست، بلکه نشون میره خود سرزمین نارنیا هم خاکستری و بیروح و فرسوده شده. اما این که امید چطور به دل کاسپین راه پیدا میکنه، همون چیزیه که داستان رو جذابتر میکنه.
چهار قهرمان قدیمی یعنی پیتر، سوزان، ادموند و لوسی، دوباره به نارنیا برمیگردن تا به کاسپین کمک کنن. اما این بار برای آزادی، و درنتیجه نبردهایی متفاوتتر، عمیقتر و سختتر پیش رو دارن. این جنگ درحقیقت یک مبارزه درونی برای هرکدوم ازین شخصیتها هم هست. پیتر و سوزان که در نقش رهبرهای نبرد هستن، باید جلوی شک و تردیدهای درونیشون ایستادگی کنن. ادموند باید از گذشته پر از اشتباهاتش عبور کنه، و لوسی که همیشه با قلبش پیش میره، باید عاقلانه رهبری رو بپذیره.و در این مسیر، اصلان، شیر بزرگ نارنیا، بهعنوان نماد خرد و عقل هم همیشه همراهشونه.
این کتاب نه تنها از نجات نارنیا، بلکه از قدرت درونی هر فردی برای تغییر دنیا هم صحبت میکنه. درست مثل کاسپین که باوجود تمامی سختیها و خطراتی که سرراهشه، هیچوقت امیدش رو از دست نمیده. برای نوجوونا، شاهزاده کاسپین در حقیقت بهنوعی یک درس از پذیرش مسئولیتهای بزرگ و رو به رو شدن با واقعیتهای تلخه.
این داستان به ما یاد میده که اگر بتونیم باور کنیم که چیزی به نام جادو هنوز در دلهامون وجود داره، میتونیم دنیای خودمون رو تغییر بدیم.
......
نسخه صوتی کتاب رو از فیدیبو شنیدیم و کتابو با علی همشنوایی کردیم♡
مثل یه گاز از بستنی زمستونیای بچگی، شنیدنش خیلییی کیف داد.
January 5, 2021
What an imaginative read! Love these characters, the story, the morals ... It's a wonderful series for children and adults who are looking for their magical fix. ✨
September 21, 2018
3.75 ⭐️
April 3, 2018
I read this several times as a kid. It was never high up in the series for me. I have to admit that the movie Disney made did such a great job with it that I now appreciate this book more. I didn't much care for Prince Caspian until I saw the movie (Yes, maybe it had something to do with the actor). Still, this is part of a great series and I'm glad another generation has the chance to enjoy them.
Men from Earth have oppressed Narnia. Of course they have. The children are called back to help put Prince Caspian back on the thrown. The weird part for me is that C. S. has Peter and Susan too old to come back. They were there for only 2 books and he has ditched them as characters until book 7. Very odd, but it works in the end.
Men from Earth have oppressed Narnia. Of course they have. The children are called back to help put Prince Caspian back on the thrown. The weird part for me is that C. S. has Peter and Susan too old to come back. They were there for only 2 books and he has ditched them as characters until book 7. Very odd, but it works in the end.
February 23, 2021
My favorite narnia book so far rivaling the lion, witch, and the wardrobe if not surpassing it in my mind if for no other reason than I didn't remember as much of it from my childhood.
All four Pevensie children are back. A narnian tale is not the same without all four siblings. I actually like the petty sibling rivalries in the books I had plenty growing up and relate to them. The kids always seem to put those behind them and make up. Good lesson for children to learn. They return to narnia after a year back in England. But it appears to be hundreds of years have passed in narnia. Aslan and even themselves are considered legend. Their palace at Cair Pavaral is ruins and Narnia is under the control of the Telmarines a kingdom to the west. All the magic is out of Narnia talking animal in hiding. The children must dispose Miraz the usurper king from Telmar. And put the rightful king caspian on the throne. Prince Caspian has a very generic background but was a decent character. But caspian wants to go back to the ways of "old narnia". Peter ends up having a duel with king Miraz for the fate of Narnia. But don't think it will go exactly the way you expect.
Sort of a resurrection of Narnia. Enjoyed throughly. On to the next tale of Narnia!
All four Pevensie children are back. A narnian tale is not the same without all four siblings. I actually like the petty sibling rivalries in the books I had plenty growing up and relate to them. The kids always seem to put those behind them and make up. Good lesson for children to learn. They return to narnia after a year back in England. But it appears to be hundreds of years have passed in narnia. Aslan and even themselves are considered legend. Their palace at Cair Pavaral is ruins and Narnia is under the control of the Telmarines a kingdom to the west. All the magic is out of Narnia talking animal in hiding. The children must dispose Miraz the usurper king from Telmar. And put the rightful king caspian on the throne. Prince Caspian has a very generic background but was a decent character. But caspian wants to go back to the ways of "old narnia". Peter ends up having a duel with king Miraz for the fate of Narnia. But don't think it will go exactly the way you expect.
Sort of a resurrection of Narnia. Enjoyed throughly. On to the next tale of Narnia!
May 26, 2020
The second book in The Chronicles of Narnia, Prince Caspian does not disappoint. The story has a slow start and isn't as gripping as The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, but I was just glad to read a new Pevensie siblings adventure.
A number of new characters were introduced, each having incredibly peculiar names that I loved but find hard to recollect now. Half the story focussed on Prince Caspian and how Narnia transformed from being a land of free, talking, magical creatures to a land of stubborn men who refused to believe in the existence of said creatures, while the other half dealt with Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy's quest to lend help to Prince Caspian.
Some plot points did annoy me a bit—one of them being that the boys were sent to make battle plans and do the important stuff while the girls pranced around with Aslan. Given how old this book is and the fact that apart from this, Lewis has never hinted at the girls in the story being any less capable than the boys, I chose to not let this affect how I rated this book.
And now, on to the next one!
A number of new characters were introduced, each having incredibly peculiar names that I loved but find hard to recollect now. Half the story focussed on Prince Caspian and how Narnia transformed from being a land of free, talking, magical creatures to a land of stubborn men who refused to believe in the existence of said creatures, while the other half dealt with Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy's quest to lend help to Prince Caspian.
Some plot points did annoy me a bit—one of them being that the boys were sent to make battle plans and do the important stuff while the girls pranced around with Aslan. Given how old this book is and the fact that apart from this, Lewis has never hinted at the girls in the story being any less capable than the boys, I chose to not let this affect how I rated this book.
And now, on to the next one!
September 9, 2026
De manera misteriosa, los Pevensie son invocados de regreso a Narnia. No reconocen el lugar ni saben cuánto tiempo ha transcurrido desde sus días como reyes, pero pronto asumen una nueva misión: recuperar el trono que por derecho le pertenece a Caspian X, usurpado por su tío Miraz.
Esta es la cuarta reseña que escribo para la saga de Las crónicas de Narnia y, así como he identificado ciertos periodos bíblicos en entregas anteriores, desconozco cuál puede inspirar a El príncipe Caspian. Tampoco es que haya leído la biblia o sepa mucho de religión, pero lo que he reconocido con anterioridad, es por cultura general.
En cuanto empieza el libro, los cuatro hermanos ya están de regreso en Narnia. La historia nos atrapa de inmediato, para enfocarse en el misterio que rodea toda la situación presentada hasta ese momento. El autor logra con creces que queramos saber qué sucedió en Narnia cuando los Pevensie desaparecieron de este reino, con un ritmo correcto y fluido ante el llamado a la acción o para que recordemos viejos tiempos, tanto para los personajes como para nosotros.
Hasta el capítulo 2, son varias las referencias hacia el título que precede en orden de publicación, es decir, El león, la bruja y el armario; pero también las hay para libros posteriores, que de manera cronológica se sitúan antes, como puede ser alguna alusión a Calormen o Archenland, para quienes venimos de El caballo y el muchacho. Esta clase de referencias —aunque sean minúsculas— ayudan a darle más coherencia y profundidad al mundo de Narnia, además de validar las entregas anteriores.
Lo que sucede a partir del capítulo 4 tiene todo el potencial para ser un libro independiente, tipo spin-off, como El caballo y el muchacho, lo cual creo que habría funcionado de manera absoluta. Lo que se narra desde este capítulo es tan interesante e inmersivo, que uno enseguida se olvida que todo eso es algo en retrospectiva, ya que técnicamente es una historia dentro de otra, con la intención de que los hermanos sepan qué sucedió durante su prolongada ausencia.
Sobre las cosas que se me hicieron llamativas o curiosas, en alguna parte que no recuerdo exactamente dónde (pero que sé por haber tomado este apunte), se mencionan a siete enanos que son hermanos. Me parece curiosa la cantidad, que es una clara referencia a Blancanieves.
También está el hecho de que al enano rojo llamado Trumpkin me lo imaginara bastante parecido a Donald Trump, por razones bastante evidentes: su color de cabello y las primeras cinco letras de su nombre.
Otra costumbre en mis reseñas de Las crónicas de Narnia es ahondar en lo que queda pendiente por responder en entregas posteriores, lo cual resultó fructífero en esta lectura. Así como, en El león, la bruja y el armario indiqué que el hechizo que tuvo al reino de Narnia sumido en un gélido invierno por tantos años, podía ser una referencia al Fimbulvetr nórdico (y que puede seguir siéndolo, ya que no hay contradicción al respecto); pero aquí se nos revela que ese encantamiento tuvo una duración de cien años.
Siguiendo con las interrogantes del mismo título, también toqué el tema de las bestias parlantes, de manera bien quisquillosa o rebuscada. Con El príncipe Caspian, se despejó aquella inquietud, porque tras lo sucedido en El león, la bruja y el armario, Aslan le otorgó ese don a los ratones, debido a que lo liberaron de sus ataduras en la Mesa de Piedra. Esto significa que, aunque no todas las especies de animales hayan sido bendecidas con esa habilidad en El sobrino del mago, sí que pueden conseguirlo mediante algún acto notable que sus antepasados hayan hecho. Por lo que, a partir de ahora, doy por cerrado este tema.
Además, creo que en todas mis reseñas he hablado sobre el hecho de que haya otros leones en Narnia aparte de Aslan, asunto con el que no simpatizo. Pero, así como el tema anterior, se necesitaron varios libros para que por fin defienda la idea de que sí existan otros leones en Narnia: «Hay leones en estos bosques, según me han contado. Pero no tendría por qué haber sido un león amistoso y parlante, como tampoco lo era el oso». ¿Por qué estoy de acuerdo con que ahora haya leones, sobre todo salvajes? Porque eso refuerza la idea de que Aslan no haya sido visto en Narnia durante cientos o miles de años, lo que le debilita esa imagen de solemnidad u omnipresencia, sobre todo si estos leones son salvajes, reforzando esa desesperanza de volver a verlo.
Esta era otra de mis grandes dudas: «Cuando el hijo de Adán en carne y hueso en el trono de Cair Paravel esté sentado, los malos tiempos habrán acabado». No sabía cómo podía haber malos tiempos a futuro, si según la profecía ya llegaron los tan ansiados tiempos de paz y prosperidad; pero la respuesta es muy simple: que Narnia carezca de reyes legítimos.
Igual mencioné: «Una vez nombrado rey o reina en Narnia, eres rey o reina para siempre». Pues, me entraba la curiosidad de cómo los cuatro hermanos desaparecieron de Narnia siendo adultos, de nuevo serían reyes en caso de regresar, pero como niños. No fue un inconveniente su prolongada ausencia. Todos se referían a ellos como los antiguos reyes, de hecho, al principio se dice lo siguiente: «No sirve de nada comportarse como niños ahora que estamos de vuelta en Narnia. Aquí eres una reina».
Pasando a las dudas que se sembraron en El caballo y el muchacho: «Tú, sir Caspian —indicó Aslan—, deberías haber sabido que no podías ser un auténtico rey de Narnia a menos que, como los reyes de antaño, fueras un Hijo de Adán y vinieras del mundo de los Hijos de Adán. Y eso eres». Con este comentario de Aslan, queda descartada mi teoría que indiqué en la reseña anterior, ya que cualquier humano puede ser rey legítimo de Narnia, como Miraz, solo que estaba usurpando un trono que por sucesión no le pertenecía. Esto confirma mi teoría de la reseña anterior, pero abre la puerta a nuevas interrogantes sobre la cosmología de Narnia: ¿por qué cualquier habitante de otro plano dimensional —siempre que sea humano— pueda ser rey legítimo? Por ahora, recordando El sobrino del mago, lo único que se me ocurre es que la fuerte presencia humana durante la génesis del reino dejó una marca en sus reglas.
De igual modo, me gustó mucho la explicación para justificar el origen de los telmarinos. Esto explica de manera implícita que los calormenos tampoco son originarios de Narnia. Lo mencioné en mi reseña de El caballo y el muchacho, ante las tan marcadas diferencias culturales y étnicas. Pero ahora queda claro lo que pudo haber pasado: personas de Medio Oriente atravesaron algún portal hacia Narnia y se establecieron en Calormen, dando paso a un sincretismo cultural.
Aparte de las preguntas respondidas, también hay nuevas interrogantes para futuros títulos. Por ejemplo, me parece bastante interesante que se deje la puerta abierta para que la Bruja Blanca vuelva a la franquicia: [...] «¿quién ha oído hablar jamás de una bruja que muriese realmente? Siempre es posible hacerlas regresar». Es evidente que este diálogo fue intencional por el autor, lo cual me parece genial, porque Jadis ha sido de mis personajes favoritos en la saga.
Lo otro, cuando se toca el tema de la aya de Caspian, cerca del final, ella cree que Aslan llegó para llevársela, porque le queda poco de vida, así que el león le dice lo siguiente: «Pero no para efectuar el largo viaje, todavía». Interesante que se nos den algunas pinceladas de cómo es el concepto de la muerte en esta saga, que tal vez puede ser pista hacia algo mayor, tanto argumental como literalmente.
En adición, agrego lo siguiente sobre el lugar donde supuestamente habita Aslan: «Se sienten más seguros si nadie en Narnia se atreve a bajar a la costa y a mirar el mar, en dirección al país de Aslan y el alba y el extremo oriental del mundo». En alguna de mis reseñas anteriores, mencioné algo que hacía referencia al padre de Aslan, como el emperador allende de los mares o algo similar. Tal vez esa es la forma de indicar el dominio o reino de estos seres, que es más lejano al mar. Espero que todos estos datos o pistas tengan un propósito para los futuros libros, porque son detalles muy minuciosos.
Incluso agrego lo siguiente: «Y en una de aquellas refriegas seis de ellos fueron puestos en fuga por el resto y huyeron con sus mujeres al centro de la isla y montaña arriba y entraron, según creyeron, en una nueva para esconderse. Pero se trataba de uno de los lugares mágicos de aquel mundo, uno de los resquicios o abismos entre mundos que existían en épocas pasadas, pero que se han vuelto muy escasos. Aquel era uno de los últimos: no digo el último». Así que, espero que veamos nuevos portales que lleven a Narnia, ya que es un hecho que todavía queda más de alguno en espera para los tres libros restantes, por algo el mismísimo Aslan lo dijo de manera explícita, con todo lo críptico que es.
Más aun, tengo dudas sobre Telmar y Narnia: «Pero por qué estaba deshabitado es una larga historia que no contaré ahora». O esto otro: «Y en Telmar sus descendientes vivieron y se convirtieron en un pueblo fiero y orgulloso, y tras varias generaciones padecieron una hambruna e invadieron Narnia, que se hallaba sumida en un cierto desorden (pero eso también es una historia muy larga)». Tal vez la segunda pueda omitirse, pero con lo primero quedó implícito que sabremos algo más al respecto.
Asimismo, en El caballo y el muchacho di mi interpretación de Narnia, tanto de reino como de planeta; pero ahora sabemos que dentro de su universo —teniendo en cuenta que es otra dimensión, diferente a la nuestra— hay más planetas, como Tarva y Alambil. Esto me hace preguntar, ¿podrá haber aliens en Narnia? ¿Habrá otros mundos habitados?
También tengo otras dudas generalizadas, que espero sean aclaradas en futuras entregas, como quién es la hechicera Pomona o sobre la guerra de las Dos Rosas; pero, al mismo tiempo, me gusta cómo se le da más vida y organicidad al mundo de Narnia, considerando que El príncipe Caspian es tan solo el segundo libro publicado. Son detalles, pero que complementan el lore de este mundo. Más específicamente, ahora sabemos que los enanos son desmemoriados o que roncan harto al dormir, aunque no recuerdo bien si esto último era sobre ellos o por los gigantes, que también confirmamos que son tontos. Igualmente, me agrada la forma de referirse a otros periodos históricos, como la Edad de Oro, la Antigua Narnia y los Viejos Tiempos, de los que espero saber más al respecto.
Y bueno, para finalizar esta sección, la linterna de Edmund debería tener un propósito en el futuro, por algo se menciona. Además, siento que es un objeto tan insignificante —aunque útil— como para que sea parte del final de El príncipe Caspian como si nada.
Acerca de los personajes, Peter y Susan actúan como si no tomaran en cuenta los acontecimientos de El león, la bruja y el armario, ya que no creen en Lucy, dando paso a que —una vez más— Edmund se redima de lo sucedido en ese libro. Aquí se demuestra algo de su desarrollo de personaje, que al parecer sigue siendo el único que lo tuvo.
Para qué hablar de Susan y Lucy, ya que son completamente inútiles en este libro, no aportan nada relevante. Aslan podría haber hecho todo él solo. No tenía sentido que lo acompañasen. El autor no supo mucho qué hacer con ellas, más que dejarlas como acompañantes de Aslan. Y hablando de Aslan, enigmático como siempre. Cumple su papel.
Sobre los roles antagónicos, Miraz como el villano principal es un chiste: no le llega ni a los talones a Jadis, junto con ser un personaje totalmente olvidable. Después, hay un par de hombres que estaban a su cargo, pero que ni siquiera vale la pena mencionarlos, aunque en la película tienen más trascendencia.
Luego tenemos a Caspian, quien le da el título al libro. Si bien es cierto que en un principio pueda conectar con nosotros, además de ser un personaje interesante o simpático, pierde relevancia tras el capítulo 8; lo mismo sucedió con Cornelius, que me gustó bastante como personaje, sobre todo su condición híbrida. Este último tenía todo el potencial para ser uno de los mejores personajes secundarios, en toda la saga.
Esto no debería ni mencionarlo, pero Caspian tiene una aya bastante irrelevante, pero no la menciono como personaje en sí, pues apenas sabemos algo sobre ella; sino por la razón de que nada que se le relacione es emotivo, ya que el autor fracasó si quería ablandar a alguien o que empaticemos con Caspian por ella. Su incorporación no fue una buena decisión creativa.
Cambiando de tema, creo que en todas las reseñas que he escrito de Las crónicas de Narnia, he tocado el tema sobre el posible machismo del autor, sin intención de defenderlo o justificarlo; pero, siempre aclarando que todas las quejas que pueda haber al respecto son por situaciones tontas o infantiles, ya que considero que tomarse todo eso enserio está al mismo nivel. Por ejemplo, en esta oportunidad, cito lo siguiente: «Ojalá nuestros líderes pensaran menos en estos cuentos de comadres y más en víveres y armas». Y también esto otro: «Eso es lo peor de las chicas —comentó Edmund a Peter y al enano—; jamás llevan un mapa en la cabeza. —Eso se debe a que tenemos algo más dentro de ella —replicó Lucy». Nada raro, la verdad. Estas muestras no difieren de lo presentado en otras entregas, además, estamos ante un libro de 1951. Sin embargo, en esta ocasión sí que puedo estar de acuerdo con que haya quejas sobre el autor, con alguna descripción que estaba demás sobre alguien, la cual no aportaba nada. Así que, se necesitaron cuatro libros para pueda darles la razón con algo referente a estos social issues.
Pero, ante la negativa de Miraz de batirse a duelo con Peter, tengo que citar esto: «Os diré lo que sucede, nobles míos. Con vuestros consejos afeminados» [...] Este comentario es acorde con lo anterior, pero también podría irse por otra vertiente, todavía más interesante y polémica. Si antes decían que Lewis era machista, sexista y misógino, ahora pueden decir que es homofóbico. Me encanta.
Del mismo modo, el dios Baco es un personaje recurrente en El príncipe Caspian, pero aburre su presencia, ya que su actuación se hace bastante hostigosa. No obstante, para quienes sabemos algo de mitología griega, comprendemos en qué consiste el séquito de bacantes. En referencia a esto Susan le comenta a Lucy: «No me habría sentido segura con Baco y todas sus alocadas chicas si nos los hubiéramos encontrado sin estar Aslan con nosotras». Si me preguntan, creo que esto es más terrible que todo lo anterior.
Al parecer me he extendido lo suficiente, por lo tanto, ha llegado la hora de dar una calificación, pero no sin hacer un repaso general. Cuando se revela que Trumpkin es quien le cuenta la historia a los niños, siento que esa transición se hace un poco abrupta, ya que el autor había logrado muy bien que queramos continuar. Como he indicado, desde el comienzo hasta el capítulo 8, el ritmo de la obra era muy bueno y fluido, pero se desinfla cuando la historia vuelve a los Pevensie. Además, a partir de esto, se hace un poco largo el libro. Asimismo, es verdad que no tiene la mejor historia de la saga, pero tampoco es el peor representante, ni tampoco me disgustó como tal.
En esta ocasión, el enfoque es ligeramente más maduro que su predecesor, El león la bruja y el armario, pero sin llegar al nivel de El caballo y el muchacho, a pesar de que aquí se mencionan un par de decapitaciones. De manera certera, El príncipe Caspian logra generar las sensaciones de aventuras, exploraciones y descubrimientos, pero le falta acción, y la batalla final tampoco ayuda mucho, aunque es mejor que la del segundo libro cronológico, está lejos de lo conseguido con el tercero.
En la práctica, esta es una lectura demasiado básica. Tan así, que hay poco para profundizar al respecto. Más encima, todo en lo que se puede ahondar, son en cuestiones relacionadas a otros libros, que fueron respondidas aquí. No hay mucho más que agregar fuera de eso.
Referente a la calificación, me decanto por ★★★☆☆, por todo lo que he indicado. Y, antes de concluir, nos enteramos de que tanto Peter como Susan no vuelven más a Narnia. No me esperaba eso. Aparte, el final me dejó con una sensación fría, pero no de manera negativa, con eso de los telmarinos siguiendo en fila a los Pevensie hacia el portal de la Tierra. Me causa intriga cómo va a continuar la secuela.
Por último, sobre la película de 2008, no está mal, pero tampoco es una maravilla, a diferencia de su precuela. Tiene bastante diferencias con el libro, aunque no recomiendo verla sin antes haberlo leído, ya que hay algunos elementos o referencias que solo pueden entenderse con la lectura. De hecho, cerca del final se menciona a un ser, que en la película solo aparece, pero en el libro se explica qué es, más no quién es, aunque tampoco es que haga falta, ya que fácilmente se puede intuir su naturaleza. Lo otro, en el filme, hay un romance bastante anticlimático y desabrido entre Caspian y Susan, cuando en el libro ni siquiera interactúan.
En fin, creo que ya me he explayado más de lo previsto. Como ni Peter ni Susan volverán a Narnia, nosotros sí que podemos hacerlo, de modo que nos vemos de vuelta en La travesía del Viajero del Alba.
CITAS DESTACADAS:
Esta es la cuarta reseña que escribo para la saga de Las crónicas de Narnia y, así como he identificado ciertos periodos bíblicos en entregas anteriores, desconozco cuál puede inspirar a El príncipe Caspian. Tampoco es que haya leído la biblia o sepa mucho de religión, pero lo que he reconocido con anterioridad, es por cultura general.
En cuanto empieza el libro, los cuatro hermanos ya están de regreso en Narnia. La historia nos atrapa de inmediato, para enfocarse en el misterio que rodea toda la situación presentada hasta ese momento. El autor logra con creces que queramos saber qué sucedió en Narnia cuando los Pevensie desaparecieron de este reino, con un ritmo correcto y fluido ante el llamado a la acción o para que recordemos viejos tiempos, tanto para los personajes como para nosotros.
Hasta el capítulo 2, son varias las referencias hacia el título que precede en orden de publicación, es decir, El león, la bruja y el armario; pero también las hay para libros posteriores, que de manera cronológica se sitúan antes, como puede ser alguna alusión a Calormen o Archenland, para quienes venimos de El caballo y el muchacho. Esta clase de referencias —aunque sean minúsculas— ayudan a darle más coherencia y profundidad al mundo de Narnia, además de validar las entregas anteriores.
Lo que sucede a partir del capítulo 4 tiene todo el potencial para ser un libro independiente, tipo spin-off, como El caballo y el muchacho, lo cual creo que habría funcionado de manera absoluta. Lo que se narra desde este capítulo es tan interesante e inmersivo, que uno enseguida se olvida que todo eso es algo en retrospectiva, ya que técnicamente es una historia dentro de otra, con la intención de que los hermanos sepan qué sucedió durante su prolongada ausencia.
Sobre las cosas que se me hicieron llamativas o curiosas, en alguna parte que no recuerdo exactamente dónde (pero que sé por haber tomado este apunte), se mencionan a siete enanos que son hermanos. Me parece curiosa la cantidad, que es una clara referencia a Blancanieves.
También está el hecho de que al enano rojo llamado Trumpkin me lo imaginara bastante parecido a Donald Trump, por razones bastante evidentes: su color de cabello y las primeras cinco letras de su nombre.
Otra costumbre en mis reseñas de Las crónicas de Narnia es ahondar en lo que queda pendiente por responder en entregas posteriores, lo cual resultó fructífero en esta lectura. Así como, en El león, la bruja y el armario indiqué que el hechizo que tuvo al reino de Narnia sumido en un gélido invierno por tantos años, podía ser una referencia al Fimbulvetr nórdico (y que puede seguir siéndolo, ya que no hay contradicción al respecto); pero aquí se nos revela que ese encantamiento tuvo una duración de cien años.
Siguiendo con las interrogantes del mismo título, también toqué el tema de las bestias parlantes, de manera bien quisquillosa o rebuscada. Con El príncipe Caspian, se despejó aquella inquietud, porque tras lo sucedido en El león, la bruja y el armario, Aslan le otorgó ese don a los ratones, debido a que lo liberaron de sus ataduras en la Mesa de Piedra. Esto significa que, aunque no todas las especies de animales hayan sido bendecidas con esa habilidad en El sobrino del mago, sí que pueden conseguirlo mediante algún acto notable que sus antepasados hayan hecho. Por lo que, a partir de ahora, doy por cerrado este tema.
Además, creo que en todas mis reseñas he hablado sobre el hecho de que haya otros leones en Narnia aparte de Aslan, asunto con el que no simpatizo. Pero, así como el tema anterior, se necesitaron varios libros para que por fin defienda la idea de que sí existan otros leones en Narnia: «Hay leones en estos bosques, según me han contado. Pero no tendría por qué haber sido un león amistoso y parlante, como tampoco lo era el oso». ¿Por qué estoy de acuerdo con que ahora haya leones, sobre todo salvajes? Porque eso refuerza la idea de que Aslan no haya sido visto en Narnia durante cientos o miles de años, lo que le debilita esa imagen de solemnidad u omnipresencia, sobre todo si estos leones son salvajes, reforzando esa desesperanza de volver a verlo.
Esta era otra de mis grandes dudas: «Cuando el hijo de Adán en carne y hueso en el trono de Cair Paravel esté sentado, los malos tiempos habrán acabado». No sabía cómo podía haber malos tiempos a futuro, si según la profecía ya llegaron los tan ansiados tiempos de paz y prosperidad; pero la respuesta es muy simple: que Narnia carezca de reyes legítimos.
Igual mencioné: «Una vez nombrado rey o reina en Narnia, eres rey o reina para siempre». Pues, me entraba la curiosidad de cómo los cuatro hermanos desaparecieron de Narnia siendo adultos, de nuevo serían reyes en caso de regresar, pero como niños. No fue un inconveniente su prolongada ausencia. Todos se referían a ellos como los antiguos reyes, de hecho, al principio se dice lo siguiente: «No sirve de nada comportarse como niños ahora que estamos de vuelta en Narnia. Aquí eres una reina».
Pasando a las dudas que se sembraron en El caballo y el muchacho: «Tú, sir Caspian —indicó Aslan—, deberías haber sabido que no podías ser un auténtico rey de Narnia a menos que, como los reyes de antaño, fueras un Hijo de Adán y vinieras del mundo de los Hijos de Adán. Y eso eres». Con este comentario de Aslan, queda descartada mi teoría que indiqué en la reseña anterior, ya que cualquier humano puede ser rey legítimo de Narnia, como Miraz, solo que estaba usurpando un trono que por sucesión no le pertenecía. Esto confirma mi teoría de la reseña anterior, pero abre la puerta a nuevas interrogantes sobre la cosmología de Narnia: ¿por qué cualquier habitante de otro plano dimensional —siempre que sea humano— pueda ser rey legítimo? Por ahora, recordando El sobrino del mago, lo único que se me ocurre es que la fuerte presencia humana durante la génesis del reino dejó una marca en sus reglas.
De igual modo, me gustó mucho la explicación para justificar el origen de los telmarinos. Esto explica de manera implícita que los calormenos tampoco son originarios de Narnia. Lo mencioné en mi reseña de El caballo y el muchacho, ante las tan marcadas diferencias culturales y étnicas. Pero ahora queda claro lo que pudo haber pasado: personas de Medio Oriente atravesaron algún portal hacia Narnia y se establecieron en Calormen, dando paso a un sincretismo cultural.
Aparte de las preguntas respondidas, también hay nuevas interrogantes para futuros títulos. Por ejemplo, me parece bastante interesante que se deje la puerta abierta para que la Bruja Blanca vuelva a la franquicia: [...] «¿quién ha oído hablar jamás de una bruja que muriese realmente? Siempre es posible hacerlas regresar». Es evidente que este diálogo fue intencional por el autor, lo cual me parece genial, porque Jadis ha sido de mis personajes favoritos en la saga.
Lo otro, cuando se toca el tema de la aya de Caspian, cerca del final, ella cree que Aslan llegó para llevársela, porque le queda poco de vida, así que el león le dice lo siguiente: «Pero no para efectuar el largo viaje, todavía». Interesante que se nos den algunas pinceladas de cómo es el concepto de la muerte en esta saga, que tal vez puede ser pista hacia algo mayor, tanto argumental como literalmente.
En adición, agrego lo siguiente sobre el lugar donde supuestamente habita Aslan: «Se sienten más seguros si nadie en Narnia se atreve a bajar a la costa y a mirar el mar, en dirección al país de Aslan y el alba y el extremo oriental del mundo». En alguna de mis reseñas anteriores, mencioné algo que hacía referencia al padre de Aslan, como el emperador allende de los mares o algo similar. Tal vez esa es la forma de indicar el dominio o reino de estos seres, que es más lejano al mar. Espero que todos estos datos o pistas tengan un propósito para los futuros libros, porque son detalles muy minuciosos.
Incluso agrego lo siguiente: «Y en una de aquellas refriegas seis de ellos fueron puestos en fuga por el resto y huyeron con sus mujeres al centro de la isla y montaña arriba y entraron, según creyeron, en una nueva para esconderse. Pero se trataba de uno de los lugares mágicos de aquel mundo, uno de los resquicios o abismos entre mundos que existían en épocas pasadas, pero que se han vuelto muy escasos. Aquel era uno de los últimos: no digo el último». Así que, espero que veamos nuevos portales que lleven a Narnia, ya que es un hecho que todavía queda más de alguno en espera para los tres libros restantes, por algo el mismísimo Aslan lo dijo de manera explícita, con todo lo críptico que es.
Más aun, tengo dudas sobre Telmar y Narnia: «Pero por qué estaba deshabitado es una larga historia que no contaré ahora». O esto otro: «Y en Telmar sus descendientes vivieron y se convirtieron en un pueblo fiero y orgulloso, y tras varias generaciones padecieron una hambruna e invadieron Narnia, que se hallaba sumida en un cierto desorden (pero eso también es una historia muy larga)». Tal vez la segunda pueda omitirse, pero con lo primero quedó implícito que sabremos algo más al respecto.
Asimismo, en El caballo y el muchacho di mi interpretación de Narnia, tanto de reino como de planeta; pero ahora sabemos que dentro de su universo —teniendo en cuenta que es otra dimensión, diferente a la nuestra— hay más planetas, como Tarva y Alambil. Esto me hace preguntar, ¿podrá haber aliens en Narnia? ¿Habrá otros mundos habitados?
También tengo otras dudas generalizadas, que espero sean aclaradas en futuras entregas, como quién es la hechicera Pomona o sobre la guerra de las Dos Rosas; pero, al mismo tiempo, me gusta cómo se le da más vida y organicidad al mundo de Narnia, considerando que El príncipe Caspian es tan solo el segundo libro publicado. Son detalles, pero que complementan el lore de este mundo. Más específicamente, ahora sabemos que los enanos son desmemoriados o que roncan harto al dormir, aunque no recuerdo bien si esto último era sobre ellos o por los gigantes, que también confirmamos que son tontos. Igualmente, me agrada la forma de referirse a otros periodos históricos, como la Edad de Oro, la Antigua Narnia y los Viejos Tiempos, de los que espero saber más al respecto.
Y bueno, para finalizar esta sección, la linterna de Edmund debería tener un propósito en el futuro, por algo se menciona. Además, siento que es un objeto tan insignificante —aunque útil— como para que sea parte del final de El príncipe Caspian como si nada.
Acerca de los personajes, Peter y Susan actúan como si no tomaran en cuenta los acontecimientos de El león, la bruja y el armario, ya que no creen en Lucy, dando paso a que —una vez más— Edmund se redima de lo sucedido en ese libro. Aquí se demuestra algo de su desarrollo de personaje, que al parecer sigue siendo el único que lo tuvo.
Para qué hablar de Susan y Lucy, ya que son completamente inútiles en este libro, no aportan nada relevante. Aslan podría haber hecho todo él solo. No tenía sentido que lo acompañasen. El autor no supo mucho qué hacer con ellas, más que dejarlas como acompañantes de Aslan. Y hablando de Aslan, enigmático como siempre. Cumple su papel.
Sobre los roles antagónicos, Miraz como el villano principal es un chiste: no le llega ni a los talones a Jadis, junto con ser un personaje totalmente olvidable. Después, hay un par de hombres que estaban a su cargo, pero que ni siquiera vale la pena mencionarlos, aunque en la película tienen más trascendencia.
Luego tenemos a Caspian, quien le da el título al libro. Si bien es cierto que en un principio pueda conectar con nosotros, además de ser un personaje interesante o simpático, pierde relevancia tras el capítulo 8; lo mismo sucedió con Cornelius, que me gustó bastante como personaje, sobre todo su condición híbrida. Este último tenía todo el potencial para ser uno de los mejores personajes secundarios, en toda la saga.
Esto no debería ni mencionarlo, pero Caspian tiene una aya bastante irrelevante, pero no la menciono como personaje en sí, pues apenas sabemos algo sobre ella; sino por la razón de que nada que se le relacione es emotivo, ya que el autor fracasó si quería ablandar a alguien o que empaticemos con Caspian por ella. Su incorporación no fue una buena decisión creativa.
Cambiando de tema, creo que en todas las reseñas que he escrito de Las crónicas de Narnia, he tocado el tema sobre el posible machismo del autor, sin intención de defenderlo o justificarlo; pero, siempre aclarando que todas las quejas que pueda haber al respecto son por situaciones tontas o infantiles, ya que considero que tomarse todo eso enserio está al mismo nivel. Por ejemplo, en esta oportunidad, cito lo siguiente: «Ojalá nuestros líderes pensaran menos en estos cuentos de comadres y más en víveres y armas». Y también esto otro: «Eso es lo peor de las chicas —comentó Edmund a Peter y al enano—; jamás llevan un mapa en la cabeza. —Eso se debe a que tenemos algo más dentro de ella —replicó Lucy». Nada raro, la verdad. Estas muestras no difieren de lo presentado en otras entregas, además, estamos ante un libro de 1951. Sin embargo, en esta ocasión sí que puedo estar de acuerdo con que haya quejas sobre el autor, con alguna descripción que estaba demás sobre alguien, la cual no aportaba nada. Así que, se necesitaron cuatro libros para pueda darles la razón con algo referente a estos social issues.
Pero, ante la negativa de Miraz de batirse a duelo con Peter, tengo que citar esto: «Os diré lo que sucede, nobles míos. Con vuestros consejos afeminados» [...] Este comentario es acorde con lo anterior, pero también podría irse por otra vertiente, todavía más interesante y polémica. Si antes decían que Lewis era machista, sexista y misógino, ahora pueden decir que es homofóbico. Me encanta.
Del mismo modo, el dios Baco es un personaje recurrente en El príncipe Caspian, pero aburre su presencia, ya que su actuación se hace bastante hostigosa. No obstante, para quienes sabemos algo de mitología griega, comprendemos en qué consiste el séquito de bacantes. En referencia a esto Susan le comenta a Lucy: «No me habría sentido segura con Baco y todas sus alocadas chicas si nos los hubiéramos encontrado sin estar Aslan con nosotras». Si me preguntan, creo que esto es más terrible que todo lo anterior.
Al parecer me he extendido lo suficiente, por lo tanto, ha llegado la hora de dar una calificación, pero no sin hacer un repaso general. Cuando se revela que Trumpkin es quien le cuenta la historia a los niños, siento que esa transición se hace un poco abrupta, ya que el autor había logrado muy bien que queramos continuar. Como he indicado, desde el comienzo hasta el capítulo 8, el ritmo de la obra era muy bueno y fluido, pero se desinfla cuando la historia vuelve a los Pevensie. Además, a partir de esto, se hace un poco largo el libro. Asimismo, es verdad que no tiene la mejor historia de la saga, pero tampoco es el peor representante, ni tampoco me disgustó como tal.
En esta ocasión, el enfoque es ligeramente más maduro que su predecesor, El león la bruja y el armario, pero sin llegar al nivel de El caballo y el muchacho, a pesar de que aquí se mencionan un par de decapitaciones. De manera certera, El príncipe Caspian logra generar las sensaciones de aventuras, exploraciones y descubrimientos, pero le falta acción, y la batalla final tampoco ayuda mucho, aunque es mejor que la del segundo libro cronológico, está lejos de lo conseguido con el tercero.
En la práctica, esta es una lectura demasiado básica. Tan así, que hay poco para profundizar al respecto. Más encima, todo en lo que se puede ahondar, son en cuestiones relacionadas a otros libros, que fueron respondidas aquí. No hay mucho más que agregar fuera de eso.
Referente a la calificación, me decanto por ★★★☆☆, por todo lo que he indicado. Y, antes de concluir, nos enteramos de que tanto Peter como Susan no vuelven más a Narnia. No me esperaba eso. Aparte, el final me dejó con una sensación fría, pero no de manera negativa, con eso de los telmarinos siguiendo en fila a los Pevensie hacia el portal de la Tierra. Me causa intriga cómo va a continuar la secuela.
Por último, sobre la película de 2008, no está mal, pero tampoco es una maravilla, a diferencia de su precuela. Tiene bastante diferencias con el libro, aunque no recomiendo verla sin antes haberlo leído, ya que hay algunos elementos o referencias que solo pueden entenderse con la lectura. De hecho, cerca del final se menciona a un ser, que en la película solo aparece, pero en el libro se explica qué es, más no quién es, aunque tampoco es que haga falta, ya que fácilmente se puede intuir su naturaleza. Lo otro, en el filme, hay un romance bastante anticlimático y desabrido entre Caspian y Susan, cuando en el libro ni siquiera interactúan.
En fin, creo que ya me he explayado más de lo previsto. Como ni Peter ni Susan volverán a Narnia, nosotros sí que podemos hacerlo, de modo que nos vemos de vuelta en La travesía del Viajero del Alba.
CITAS DESTACADAS:
«Nunca creí del todo en los fantasmas. Pero esos dos cobardes a los que acabáis de disparar sí que creían. ¡Les asustaba más conducirme a la muerte que a mí ir a ella!»
«Hagamos lo que hagamos, no hay que correr. Especialmente no antes de cenar; ni inmediatamente después de ello».
«Los que corren primero no siempre son los últimos en correr» [...]
«Se puede desarmar al mejor espadachín del mundo mediante un truco que no conozca».
«Una mofa no levanta ampollas».
[...] «pero si conoces un poco los bosques, sabrás que siempre se encuentran senderos imaginarios».
«Uno no puede evitar sentirse más fuerte cuando contempla el lugar donde obtuvo una victoria gloriosa» [...]
«Pero las cosas nunca suceden del mismo modo dos veces».
«La clase de «Historia» que se enseñaba en Narnia bajo el mandato de Miraz era más aburrida que la historia más auténtica que uno haya leído nunca y menos cierta que el relato de aventuras más emocionante».
«Desciendes de lord Adán y lady Eva. Y eso es honor suficiente para que el mendigo más pobre mantenga la cabeza bien alta y vergüenza suficiente para inclinar los hombros del emperador más importante de la tierra».
November 19, 2008
November 19, 2008. I've read these books a zillion and one times and surely I shall read them a zillion more. Because every single time, I realize new truths and find more honor in their pages.
Today, I've read a passage that I find disturbing and quite out of character for CS Lewis:
p.72 "Shall we go farther up for you, up to the crags? There's an Ogre or two and a Hag that we could introduce you to, up there." "Certainly not," said Caspian. "I should think not, indeed," said Trufflehunter. "We want none of that sort on our side."
Seems a bit racist, if you ask me. It really makes me wonder exactly what CS Lewis is getting at here. It's totally the opposite of what happens in The Last Battle when Aslan sorts the good guys from the bad guys by whether they're good oir evil in their hearts. So anyway, it seems weird and I don't like it. The Hag does ends up being a bad guy in the end, but still... I dunno.
I'll keep reading and blame the racism on the 1950s for now.
Oh yeah, as a side note, whenever I read British literature, I talk to myself in a British accent and rhythm for a while afterward. It's so dorky!!!
Later...
I've read a bit more now. The race issue didn't come up again.
The battle scenes are not the same as you might see these days. There's something more frank and quick about them. Lewis doesn't explain every little move and maneuver, so in fact, if you're reading too fast, you might even miss a fight going on. Here's an example of a battle overview without much in the way of specifics:
P. 187
But the new bout went well. Peter now seemed to be able to make some use of his shield, and he certainly made good use of his feet. He was almost playing Tig with Miraz now, keeping out of range shifting his ground, making the enemy work.
I think if this book had been written today by a different author, it might be about 500 pages of battle scenes. I'm glad its not. Instead, the book is more about people standing on the side of good. Here's a passage that I just love which describes Edmund who may be a boy, but is also a king:
P.174An hour later two great lords in the army of Miraz, the Lord Glozelle and the Lord Sopespian, strolling along their lines and picking their teeth after breakfast, looked up and saw coming down to them from the wood the Centaur and Giant Wembleweather, whom they had seen before in battle, and between them a figure they could not recognise. Nor indeed would the other boys at Edmund's school have recognised him if they could have seen him at that moment. For Aslan had breathed on him at their meeting and a kind of greatness hung about him.
Ahhhhh... See? For Narnia and the North!
Also, you Tolkien fans will recognize the onslaught of trees which comes in at the end of the battle--Two Towers--and the river emerging (with the help of Bacchus and his grapevines) to take out the bridge and thwart the enemy in its path--Fellowship. Who came up with it first, I wonder... :)
Later still...
As I finish reading this lovely little novel, allow me to drop off to sleep with feet towards the fire and good friends on either side... Thank you, Mr. Lewis. I have had a time.
Today, I've read a passage that I find disturbing and quite out of character for CS Lewis:
p.72 "Shall we go farther up for you, up to the crags? There's an Ogre or two and a Hag that we could introduce you to, up there." "Certainly not," said Caspian. "I should think not, indeed," said Trufflehunter. "We want none of that sort on our side."
Seems a bit racist, if you ask me. It really makes me wonder exactly what CS Lewis is getting at here. It's totally the opposite of what happens in The Last Battle when Aslan sorts the good guys from the bad guys by whether they're good oir evil in their hearts. So anyway, it seems weird and I don't like it. The Hag does ends up being a bad guy in the end, but still... I dunno.
I'll keep reading and blame the racism on the 1950s for now.
Oh yeah, as a side note, whenever I read British literature, I talk to myself in a British accent and rhythm for a while afterward. It's so dorky!!!
Later...
I've read a bit more now. The race issue didn't come up again.
The battle scenes are not the same as you might see these days. There's something more frank and quick about them. Lewis doesn't explain every little move and maneuver, so in fact, if you're reading too fast, you might even miss a fight going on. Here's an example of a battle overview without much in the way of specifics:
P. 187
But the new bout went well. Peter now seemed to be able to make some use of his shield, and he certainly made good use of his feet. He was almost playing Tig with Miraz now, keeping out of range shifting his ground, making the enemy work.
I think if this book had been written today by a different author, it might be about 500 pages of battle scenes. I'm glad its not. Instead, the book is more about people standing on the side of good. Here's a passage that I just love which describes Edmund who may be a boy, but is also a king:
P.174An hour later two great lords in the army of Miraz, the Lord Glozelle and the Lord Sopespian, strolling along their lines and picking their teeth after breakfast, looked up and saw coming down to them from the wood the Centaur and Giant Wembleweather, whom they had seen before in battle, and between them a figure they could not recognise. Nor indeed would the other boys at Edmund's school have recognised him if they could have seen him at that moment. For Aslan had breathed on him at their meeting and a kind of greatness hung about him.
Ahhhhh... See? For Narnia and the North!
Also, you Tolkien fans will recognize the onslaught of trees which comes in at the end of the battle--Two Towers--and the river emerging (with the help of Bacchus and his grapevines) to take out the bridge and thwart the enemy in its path--Fellowship. Who came up with it first, I wonder... :)
Later still...
As I finish reading this lovely little novel, allow me to drop off to sleep with feet towards the fire and good friends on either side... Thank you, Mr. Lewis. I have had a time.
August 9, 2020
Prince Caspian is kinda a hottie. Okay, onto the actual review -
This one was definitely NOT my favorite. It honestly sucks. It's exactly the worst type of fantasy. War fantasy. I couldn't care less about people fighting and stabbing other people. Sigh.
I did enjoy the Pevensies coming back to Narnia though. That was such a fun bunch of chapters. Seeing them whisked into Narnia and re-exploring everything.
I'm not quite sure what the biblical parallel is. I think it might be Gideon fighting the Midianites. Or maybe David and Goliath? I honestly don't know.
Overall, this was the least fun Narnia book.
➵ The Magician's Nephew - ★★★★★
➵ The Lion, The WItch, and the Wardrobe - ★★★★☆
➵ The Horse and His Boy - ★★★★☆
➵ Prince Caspian - ★★★☆☆
➵ The Voyage of the Dawn Treader - ★★★★☆
➵ The Silver Chair - ★★★★☆
➵ The Last Battle - ★★★★★
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January 26, 2025
ثاني رواية من روايات عالم نارنيا بترتيب الصدور.
كانت أسرع من الرواية الأولي في الأحداث بالنسبة ليا و ده يمكن يكون راجع لأنه أحداث خزانة الملابس خالدة في الذاكرة أكثر من أحداث بقيت الروايات
عيب الرواية الوحيد للقارئ ممكن يكون وصف المشاهد مع انه خلاني تقريبًا أكون صورة كاملة عن كل اللي بيحصل بس بياخد جهد أكبر.
و هنلاحظ كمان ان علي عكس الفيلم مفيش اي رومانسية من أي شكل الملكة سوزان و الملك كاسبيان مفيش بينهم اي شئ.
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كانت أسرع من الرواية الأولي في الأحداث بالنسبة ليا و ده يمكن يكون راجع لأنه أحداث خزانة الملابس خالدة في الذاكرة أكثر من أحداث بقيت الروايات
عيب الرواية الوحيد للقارئ ممكن يكون وصف المشاهد مع انه خلاني تقريبًا أكون صورة كاملة عن كل اللي بيحصل بس بياخد جهد أكبر.
و هنلاحظ كمان ان علي عكس الفيلم مفيش اي رومانسية من أي شكل الملكة سوزان و الملك كاسبيان مفيش بينهم اي شئ.
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