The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis, Pauline Baynes (2001, Paperback, Reprint)

I have read the whole series about 6 times and every time have thoroughly enjoyed the books. With the movie recently released (an absolutely smashing film that stays true to CS Lewis' vision) the books are getting more attention and rightfully so! The series includes the following books and rumor has it Disney plans on making films for all of them (i am keeping my fingers crossed that this is more than just a rumor).

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

The main book that most people start with is "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe". The series officially starts with "The Magician's Nephew" although it is more of a prequel to the series much like "The Hobbit" is a prequel to "Lord of the Rings".

The Chronicles of Narnia is considered a classic of children's literature and is perhaps C.S. Lewis' best known work. More than 65 million copies of the books have been sold in 30 languages. Written by Lewis between 1950-1956, The Chronicles of Narnia contain Christian themes and borrow from Greek and Roman mythology as well as traditional English and Irish fairy tales. The books have been adapted for radio, television and cinema. Pauline Baynes illustrated the original books in the series.

The Chronicles present the adventures of children who play central roles in the unfolding history of the realm of Narnia, a place where animals talk, magic is common, and good is fighting evil.

I would highly recommend this series (and movie) to anyone to enjoy!

What can I say, C.S. Lewis had me with my first reading of "The lion, the witch, and the wardrobe" I was so happy when I found out it was part of a seven part series. Lewis was an amazing author and this foray into childrens' books in a wonderful read. I loved it as a kid and loved it even more as an adult. The stories are very well written and a joy to read. If you haven't read this series yet, please do.

I do suggest reading the series the way the author wrote them and not in chronological order as this book has them. The first book to read is the Lion, witch, wardrobe. I forgot the other books order, but I'm sure you can google this... :)

While distinctly a child's book, I quickly got caught up in the books again. This is the story of a little girl's discovery of a whole new world, and the adventures she shares with her siblings. There are many lessons on good and evil tied into the various story lines, perfect for children to learn by. This would make a good companion reader to Tolkein's "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings" Trilogy, the two authors being close friends who undoubtedly discussed their respective story lines. Anyway, "The Chronicles of Narnia" are a good read, well worth the time.

These books are special to me- my fondest memories as a child are of my father reading these to me, and doing the character voices. Now as an adult, they are a refreshing and magical read, completely free of the negative elements that ruin otherwise good reading.

The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis, Pauline Baynes

A wonderful series of stories centering around the lives of 4 children who were sent to stay with an eccentric uncle during WWll and the adventures they find themselves in after accidentally entering a enchanted land by way of a very unusual wardrobe.

Each of my own children owned and read through The Chronicles, some of them more than one time through. The story is about how they each grow and learn when a series of unusual circumstances force them to make difficult decisions and they learn about the cost or rewards of the choices they make and their decisions about bravery, loss, and forgiveness.

It begins with their first difficult days as young children being separated from their mother and thrust in a strange, almost forbidding house with the uncle they had never met, and continues until they reach adulthood.

One of those very rare, well written efforts that manages to be good reading for almost any age

I read the entire Chronicles of Narnia at my childhood. Now, after buying the boxed set of the Chronicals for my daughter, I am reading them all again. It is fun to discuss the action with my kid. I suggest every other mother who may have read these as a child, take the time to go back over them... I assure the full enjoyment.

Narnia series will remain a classic for decades and generations to come. The heartwarming tales of a lion teach children some valuable lessons. I think C. S. Lewis's a great collection belongs to any children's library. As for the contemporary authors I mostly recommend B. Nowiki's new series "Why Some Cats are Rascals". Rascal is just a house cat, not a lion, but he will teach your children as important lessens as did Narnia's lion.

I love these books and have read them over and over again! I love the mythology and the magic in Narnia. Most of all, I love Aslan, the kind, loving lion king of Narnia. I would definitly recommend this to someone else!!!

I read this series when I was eight years old and was so captivated by the stories that I re-read them many times. I prefer them in their original order starting with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (The Magician's Nephew was the sixth book), but add them to your reading list either way. I was delighted to hear of the upcoming movie, the previews look like they'll do the story justice. This set is a "must read"!

This set is hands down both my favorite fantasy series and my favorite children's book series. I've read them to myself, for my own enjoyment, and I've read all seven books out loud to my kids. Reading them out loud is a great experience. At the end of a chapter, when I had intended to quit, the kids would beg me to keep reading! Every one of the kids, from 5 to 15, were spellbound.

I strongly feel, however, that the books should be read in the order they were written, and as Lewis intended them to be read. That is: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe; Prince Caspian; The Voyage of the Dawn Treader; The Silver Chair; The Horse and His Boy; The Magician's Nephew; The Last Battle.

Many people are only familiar with the first book because of the just-released movie (which was very good). I also found The Voyage of the "Dawn Treader", The Horse and His Boy, and others to be equally delightful, with equally enchanting characters. There are excerpts from several of the books that I find simply and profoundly unforgettable. And last, but not least, the Christian symbolism is refreshing, and at times deeply moving.

Fantastic set. If you haven't read it, hesitate no longer!

The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis is truly one of the all time great books of the 20th century. I read this book as a child and it was the inspiration for many afternoon fantasies about other worlds.

The book is an easy read for all ages and I highly recommend it! C.S. Lewis draws the reader into the story and all of the sudden you are not sitting in your house reading a book, but standing in a snow covered land having a grand adventure with your friends. All the books are well worth your time.

This is a great book to start kids off on a lifetime of reading. I read this book in grade 4 and was hooked. Whether you read it to your children, or they read it themselves, The Chronicles of Narnia will hold a warm place in their memories for the rest of their lives.

Brilliantly written books, without a boring minute Always changing to keep your attention. Peter, Edmund, Susan, and Lucy go from ordinary school children to legendary kings and queens of a far away land forever remembered centuries later. Don't wait for the movie before reading these classic tales.

Having read The Chronicles before, I knew the basic story lines. However, the underlying meanings and many of the characters came more alive at this multiple reading. It was also good to have all of the books in one volume, making the story line and transitions much easier to follow. This is an excellent volume, a child's story and adult allegory all rolled into one volume. I highly recommend it for out loud reading to children as well as contemplative adult perusing.

EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT!!!!

I first read this series of books in high school. Then as an English major in college, I participated in a course about C.S. Lewis.

This story is great for all ages. Read it aloud to your younger children, have your older children read it for themselves! Read it for the first time yourself or once more if you did years ago but are not sure how it developed the first time you read it through.

Of the many writers of the 20th century, C.S. Lewis has an innate descriptive way of letting you into the lives of his characters which makes you feel as if you are part of the action!

He and J. R. R. Tolkien were the greatest of friends and liked to play their ideas off one another! Great minds think alike! If you loved the Lord of the Rings / The Hobbit stories and movies, please do yourself a favor and read this group of books and then see the movie! Watch yourself getting excited - just like you were a kid again!

This is "The Chronicles of Narnia" like you've never read or seen them before--all in one hardbound set, in the chronological order Lewis preferred that they be read. To top it off, it's beautifully illustrated.

"The Chronicles" are C. S. Lewis' beloved children's fantasy series loved also by adults. In them, Lewis chronicles the battle between good and evil, God and the Devil, Aslan the Lion (the Christ Figure) and the White Witch (the Satan Figure).

Lewis' turn of a phrase is worth the price of the book with gems describing evil's hold on Narnia as "always Winter but never Christmas" and Aslan's description of his "resurrection" as "magic from before the dawn of time."

The stories are beautifully told and captivating in and of themselves. Add to that the subtle allegories, images, and parables of good versus evil, and you have a book that will capture your children's imagination and perhaps change their lives forever--for the better.

Buy it now, before everyone else does, because come December 2005, "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" will be released as a big screen Hollywood epic with the same mass marketing, incredible story telling, and awesome special effects of the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy.

Reviewer: Dr. Robert W. Kellemen is the author of "Soul Physicians: A Theology of Soul Care and Spiritual Direction," "Spiritual Friends: A Methodology of Soul Care and Spiritual Direction," and the forthcoming "Sacred Companions: A History of Soul Care and Spiritual Direction."

C.S.Lewis is a master story teller. This is his flagship of stories. Well worth reading even if your not a fan of the genre. A must in all libries.

I have always enjoyed C.S Lewis's writing as an adult, but had never read the Chronicles. My son was "forced" to read The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe in high school much to his dismay at the time. However, when the movie came out he challenged me to read the entire Chronicles. I got through them first!! We both found them very enjoyable and understandable as allegory. The stories were fun even without the allegory behind them, the type of fantasy of many children, though readable by adults. I did find the last book somewhat slower and therefor a bit disappointing, but not enough to change my overall opinion.

This is a very well written book. Everyone should read this book before seeing the movie, since the movie actually starts after the first story, which is critical to understanding it. I bought the book because I had lost my original copy, and wanted to share it with my wife.
I feel this is an excellent book and recommend it to anyone who likes to read and use their imagination.

I love this book! In the past I have owned the Chronicles of Narnia book sets and have lost a book out of the set! Now that will never happen again, since all the books are together in this one awesome book! I have also purchased one for my niece.

I decided to buy this book because my children wanted to read the whole book. The purchase on ebay was a lot cheaper than buting brand new! My children love the book!

I haven't read it all yet. I love it so far. So far I don't see anything that I dislike about it. I bought the book because the movie was fantastic. I like the fact that all the Chronicles are in one book.

C.S. Lewis is my favorite author! This set of books in not just for children but for adults, filled with numerous allegories and reveals new, undiscovered depths each time it is read again! Just the best!

This series is truly an amazing read! My father-in-law introduced me to C.S. Lewis' amazing books a few years ago. I have read many of his books and I can honestly say that they are a refreshing breath of air in a polluted world!
This book is the second book in a series of 7 fiction fantasy novels, each as good as the first....or maybe even better! My 8 year old daughter and I read this series together and I enjoyed it with childlike delight as much as she did! (coming from a 29 year old mother, that's saying alot!) It's refreshingly original, easy enough to follow for a child, yet interestingly written with detail to keep adults glued to the pages!
May I also recommend J.R.R Tolkien who is best known for "Lord of the Rings", and George MacDonald "Princess and Goblin", "Phantastes", "Princess and Curdie", just to name a few. George Macdonald is an older writer in the 1800's but I was in love with his books as well! He has a descriptive writing that is truly a work of art.
Basically this book and the others in this set are wholesome, moral, imaginative books that you can read by yourself or with the family. This series is a creative way of telling the Greatest Story ever Told!




It is no secret that C.S Lewis was inspired by some of the greatest fantasy authors of our time. George Macdonald was an amazing author in the 1800's that influenced C

I received this book for Christmas (the entire compilation). Up to this point, I had only read one book of the whole series....The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. I read that in 7th grade and did a book report about it. All these years later, I still find these stories fascinating. I would highly recommend these books to anyone and everyone. Just for reference, the order of publishing these books, go like this: (1) The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe - 1950; (2) Prince Caspian - 1951; (3) The Voyage of the Dawn Treader - 1952; (4) The Silver Cahir - 1953; (5) The Horse and His Boy - 1954; (6) The Magicians Nephew - 1955; and (7) The Last Battle - 1956. I found this information on the first page of the 'Chronicles' book.