The Horse and His Boy (Chronicles of Narnia, #5) Focus on the Family

by Paul McCusker (Editor), C.S. Lewis

A remarkable adventure for the imagination, The Horse and His Boy tells the story of a young boy named Shasta, who has escaped from a life of slavery, and the talking horse who launches the adventure. As they travel across deserts, through cities, and over mountains, a mysterious lion shadows their every move and a treacherous prince wages war against an unsuspecting Narnia. Featuring talented voice actors, film-style sound design, and a rich musical score, this is an adventure on an epic scale.

Fully dramatized and produced with cinema-quality sound design and music, The Horse and His Boy is the third of seven audio dramas in the Focus on the Family Radio Theatre production of The Chronicles of Narnia. Hosted by Douglas Gresham, stepson of C. S. Lewis, and recorded in London, these timeless adventures are brought to life by a cast of talented actors, including award winners Paul Scofield and David Suchet.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Classics, Childrens, Audiobook

150 pages, Audiobook

First published January 1, 1954

About the author

Paul McCusker is a writer of many different kinds of things. You may know him from Adventures In Odyssey and Focus On The Family Radio Theatre. Or the Father Gilbert Mysteries. Or the Augustine Institute audio dramas Brother Francis: The Barefoot Saint of Assisi and The Trials of Saint Patrick. Or plays like The First Church of Pete's Garage and Catacombs. Or C.S. Lewis projects like The Chronicles of Narnia audio dramas or The Annotated Screwtape Letters. Or the film Beyond The Mask. Or lots of other dramas, novels, scripts and lyrics. He simply can't make up his mind what he likes to write.

Reviews

[Sabrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty confident this is my favorite narnia book

[Jonathan Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful as always. I finished this while shoveling my driveway for the first time! ❄️🌨️

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one struck me as more of a straightforward fairy tale though Aslan does play a part.

[Ace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love it so much. I so love getting a peak into other countries outside Narnia and having main characters that aren’t from our world. (While VotDT also takes place outside Narnia, all the main characters are from there or our world so the vibe is different).

And this one contains one of my very favorite bits of voice acting in the entire series. “Compose yourself, oh my son.” I cackle every time.

Disclaimer: focus on the family is a hate group.

Contains period typical racism.

[Totoro · Rating 2 out of 5]

The next Narnia audiobook I’ve read recently. The first (Magicians Nephew) I read with both kids. The next two I’ve read with just Agnes This one didn’t hold up as well as The Magicians Nephew and The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe. It was sadly pretty racist at times, though thankfully I think it mostly went over Agnes’ head. Two stars for Aravis, talking horses, and a plot involving twins separated at birth (a trope I’ve loved ever since seeing the movie Big Business).

[Abbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favorite so far in the series (reading chronologically). Powerful illustrations of God’s sovereignty and presence through all of life. Also a beautiful picture of the gospel with slave becoming the King’s son!

[Seth Ingram · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the Christian imagery of the Lion always being for them even when they couldn’t understand. This book doesn’t add much to the story of the series.

[Dylan C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Best book set in Narnia, set in my favourite time. As someone who read the entire series as a child and again in adult hood this is the only book I would recommend even as a standalone.

[ShepherdsDelight · Rating 5 out of 5]

90/100 (= 5.3/6) ≈ 5 Stars

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It wasn't quite as mysteriously marvelously adventerous as I remember it from childhood. Hampered maybe a bit by the distraction of having a non-English speaker in the car with us as we listened.
But it's still great!
I only noticed the "doubting Thomas" thing now as an adult.

[Charis Wiggins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love all the Narnia books, but this is one of my favourites. The characters and plot and world building are reminiscent of the classic Narnia but expounds on it in a beautiful way. Also, Aravis and Shasta are great.

[Rick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whenever I go on a road trip, a Radio Theatre Cd typically comes along. This is a great story, very adeptly adapted.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another fun listen with my kids!

[Hopetay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Favourite of the C.S. Lewis I've read. Writing is still brutal.