| Title | : | The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (Chronicles of Narnia, #3) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 006112527X |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780061125270 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages | : | 248 |
| Publication | : | First published September 15, 1952 |
The Dawn Treader is the first ship Narnia has seen in centuries. King Caspian has built it for his voyage to find the seven lords, good men whom his evil uncle Miraz banished when he usurped the throne. The journey takes Edmund, Lucy, and their cousin Eustace to the Eastern Islands, beyond the Silver Sea, toward Aslan's country at the End of the World.
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (Chronicles of Narnia, #3) Reviews
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It feels odd to mark this book as anything less than five stars. It was a huge part of my childhood.
What's more, this book is part of the reason I'm a decent public speaker these days. I joined forensics because this was the book that was being used for extemporaneous reading. (I didn't even know what forensics was when I started, just that I liked the book.)
And there are things I like here. Good things. It's a fun adventure story. There are cool settings. Action. Tension. The different nature of the islands is cool. There's mystery. Magic. Wonder. The character of Reepicheep alone boosts this book by a full star.
The character of Eustace is better than I remember him being, too. It's nice to see a kid who is a total dick learn that there's consequences to his actions, then have a redemption arc in a kid's book.
But reading this book to my little boy made me confront a lot of the problems in the book. There are slavers in the early chapters, which is something I didn't remember. And a topic I wasn't sure I wanted to introduce to my kid at the age of 6.
There's a fair chunk of sexism too. Little things scattered throughout the books. Not terrible considering when it was written. But still nothing I want soaking into my kid's psyche. The best example of this is Ramandu's daughter. Caspian meets her, and it becomes obvious that they're going to get married.
Let's just pass lightly over the fact that she's effectively being treated like a prize for him completing his quest and jump right into the fact that SHE DOESN'T HAVE A NAME! She's referred to as "Ramandu's daughter" through the entire book despite the fact that she has a larger part in the book.
That's fucked up, y'all.
There's narrative issues too. The children rarely solve their own problems. Several times they're confronted by bad situations or make bad choices but then instead of having to deal with the consequences or figure out solutions, Aslan shows up and is all ಠ_ಠ. Then, under the weight of his disappointed dad eyes and they're filled with shame and realize they should stop being dicks. That's not good storytelling. That's some deus ex leo bullshit.
It's a good book, and I'm fond of it. But it's not perfect, and its flaws are large enough that they bear some serious consideration before you put it in front of your kids. -
A different formula (which sadly didn't work) for Edmund, Lucy, and Prince Caspian
Prince Caspian, in a large ship called "The Dawn Treader", is out looking for seven lords who were dispatched by King Miraz during his reign. In this quest, Edmund, Lucy, and Eustace (Edmund and Lucy's cousin) join along for the adventure.
Pros:
*The reader revisits some characters introduced in previous Narnia books.
*Eustace. This character was constantly complaining. Additionally, his name kind of sounds like "useless." When someone is overly complaining, I will definitely say, "Don't be a Eustace."
*Gumpas, the Governor of the Lone Islands. "No interviews without appointments except between nine and ten p.m. on second Saturdays."
Cons:
*The plot format did not work. Usually, in the Narnia series, there is a build up to an ultimate battle. However, this book did not follow that format. All of the adventures were pretty mild.
*The ending felt rushed and not particularly memorable or special especially when compared to the ending of The Magician's Nephew.
Overall, a quick read but low key adventures and nothing particularly spectacular.
2023 Reading Schedule
Jan Alice in Wonderland
Feb Notes from a Small Island
Mar Cloud Atlas
Apr On the Road
May The Color Purple
Jun Bleak House
Jul Bridget Jones’s Diary
Aug Anna Karenina
Sep The Secret History
Oct Brave New World
Nov A Confederacy of Dunces
Dec The Count of Monte Cristo
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There was a boy called Eustace Clarence Scrubb, and he almost deserved it.
My absolute favorite quote in the entire book.
In the latest installment, Lucy, Edmund and their cousin (Eustace) were having a bit of a tiff when they were suddenly pulled into a ship painting. (Apparently, you can get to Narnia just about any which way.)
They land onPrinceKing Caspian's ship, where we meet almost an entirely new cast of characters setting sail to find the seven lost lords of Narnia.“Do you mean to say," asked Caspian, "that you three come from a round world (round like a ball) and you've never told me! It's really too bad for you. Because we have fairy-tales in which there are round worlds and I have always loved them … Have you ever been to the parts where people walk about upside-down?"
Along the way, they have oodles and oodles of adventures - anywhere from exploring mysteriously magical islands to Eustace accidentally turning into a dragon.Adventures are never fun while you're having them.
I love how we (as always) get to experience C. S. Lewis's sage wisdom through his little asides throughout the book.One of the most cowardly things ordinary people do is to shut their eyes to facts.
The only true gripe I have about this series is Reepicheep. It could just be the way the mouse-warrior was portrayed in the audiobook, but I swear I was about one step away from throwing him overboard.
Audiobook Comments
I will murder Reepicheep with my bare hands if he says one more word. Other than that - David Jacobi was a fabulous reader!
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The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (Chronicles of Narnia, #3), C.S. Lewis
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is a high fantasy novel for children by C. S. Lewis, published by Geoffrey Bles in 1952. The Voyage features a second return to the Narnia world, about three years later in Narnia and one year later in England, by Edmund and Lucy Pevensie, the younger two of the four English children featured in the first two books. Prince Caspian is now King Caspian X. He leads a sea voyage to the eastern end of the world, which the English siblings and their cousin Eustace Scrubb magically join soon after his ship Dawn Treader sets sail.
تاریخ نخستین خوانش: سال2002میلادی
عنوان: ماجراهای نارنیا کتاب سه: کشتی سپیده پیما؛ نویسنده: کلاویو استیپلز لوئیس؛ مترجم امید اقتداری زاده سال1330هجری خورشیدی؛ چاپ سوم سال1387؛ در232ص؛ شابک9789647100069؛ موضوع داستانهای نویسندگان بریتانیا - سده20م
نقل از متن: (فکر میکنم، بیشتر ماها هر کدام سرزمینی ویژه، و پنهان برای خود داریم، سرزمین تخیل و رویا، اما به نظر حقیقی هم هست؛ هر گاه خواسته باشیم، میتوانیم سری به سرزمین رویاهای خود نیز بزنیم؛ در این لحظه هاست که میگوئیم، آخی)؛ پایان
تاریخ بهنگام رسانی 01/02/1401هجری خورشیدی؛ ا. شربیانی -
One of my fave Narnia books when I was a child, the crew of the Dawn Treader are joined by Ed, Lucy and Eustace as they seek out the Seven expelled Lords who sailed East seven years earlier. Eustace is a great character, in that he behaves as a few most certainly would, with utter disbelief, shock, and also borderline horror at the 'backward' Narnian reality, as well as forever questioning and assigning his own ideas of the motives and aims of his fellow crew.
The trip sailing East, allows C.S. Lewis to really expand on the Narnia reality and show us what else is out there, which he does with aplomb. It's C.S. Lewis goes wild with a mesh of dark fairy tale style adventures from dragons and one-legged bouncing dwarves to clouds of darkness and mesmerising mer-people. It's Lewis's creativity and gift for storytelling that should dwarf (pun intended?) any and all Christian symbolism in the series. Another gem!
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For some reason I enjoyed this the most of all the chronicles so far. It was I felt the "best" story, certainly (for some reason) the most emotional. Although there were few talking animals compared to all the previous books, there was the glorious Reepicheep, and he just steals the show.
The tension builds all the way through as Prince Caspian aided by Lucy, Edmund and (useless) Eustace , together with his loyal crew and Reepicheep hunt the seven Lords banished by Caspian's evil Uncle Miraz..
Without giving the game away, the Dawn Treader returns eventually to Narnia with some additions to the crew and some losses, as the 2 Pevensie's and Eustace (now no longer useless) return with the help of Aslan to his parent's house in Cambridge.
A marvellous tale and well written as usual by C S Lewis, truly a 5 ⭐️novel -
“Adventures are never fun while you're having them.”
The pace of this book was kind of slow for me, I spent seven days for the first half of this book. Then when the adventure comes, everything just gets better and better. I enjoyed how The Voyage of the Dawn Treader has The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe vibes, even though it reminded me of some parts of Pirates of the Caribbean.
“One of the most cowardly things ordinary people do is to shut their eyes to facts.”
The ideas were flowing, especially the mysterious feelings that got me chilled when the children are on the ship sailing to rescue and discover something they haven't seen before. That's just amazing considering this book was written before CGI has been well-developed. I can't imagine how Lewis created such imaginative images in his head and made people see it clearly.
The ending was a bit sad, though. This is the time for the last goodbye, and I knew even if there should be more, but it's enough in the story for the children to grow up and keep in their mind that this is the farewell.
All in all, the chronicles of Narnia is worth reading when I have nothing to read. It makes my head spin (in a good way) and it keeps me want to go back and be a kid again.
“Courage, dear heart.”
https://goo.gl/wQ7bbm -
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.
This started rather poignantly for me, as the story opens with two of the Pevensie siblings returning to Narnia, with their cousin Eustace in tow. Without the elder Pevensie children I initially felt like some of the earlier allure was lost for me, as it acted as a reminder that we all reach an age where we grow up and magic refuses to become a possibility. I quickly forgot my reservations and was once again swept away by the wonderment and awe this series inspires, however.
The children find themselves thrown from this world into the ocean that borders the Narnian lands. The nearby ship, the Dawn Voyager, quickly hoists them on board and the children are happily reunited with characters from the previous book, King Caspian and Reepicheep the talking (and quarrelsome) mouse. The crew are venturing into the perilous unknown seas with the ambition of discovering more about their world and ending their journey by hopefully venturing into Aslan's country.
I adored getting to explore more of this fantastical world. It added an element of adventure and highlighted Lewis' spectacular world-building artistry. This seemed to read almost like a series of connected short stories, as each island they landed on had a tale relating to it that ended as the crew disembarked.
As with every other story in this series, there was a moralistic edge to the plot that served as a reminder of good behaviour for its young readership. This rather preachy element is one that doesn't fit well with its contemporary readers, in my opinion, and, whilst not ruining my enjoyment of the series, isn't a factor a particularly appreciate. -
"Please, Aslan" said Lucy, "what do you call soon?"
"I call all times soon", said Aslan
*note: a review of this whole series is up on my channel!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYscl...
I am reading this series in publication order (yes, I know, I am weird), which means this was book number three for me. Also, I haven't read it as a kid, so this is my first experience with this classic. I liked this one more than number two (Prince Caspian), and this might very well be my favourite book so far. I loved the sailing theme, and I am a sucker for stories about voyages at sea. This one, in particular, was more a collection of single stories (as the ship containing the characters sails from island to island, they live different adventures), just like those classic sailing books like Gulliver's Travels or even the Odyssey, which I love. But even though all adventures were enjoyable, if sometimes a little too short (the book itself is under 200 pages), the last chapters were simply amazing. Glad I chose to go on with this series!
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Isn't growing up a drag, not only do you have to trade in a 3PM school day finish for a 5PM work day finish you also get too old to enter Narnia. I call age discrimination!
I'll be interested to see how the last two books of this series go without our four base characters. Peter, Susan, Edmond and Lucy, it been the fabbiest hanging out with you guys. Alas, you get old and no longer eligible to enter Narnia, is there no justice?
Enjoyed riding the waves in this book, by jove we had an adventure!
3 stars. -
I'm very well acquainted with Narnia, and this is my fourth or fifth reread of this wonderful series. I love that while I'm reading them, I remember the pure joy I had with them as a child, and now, I'm in my thirties, everything seems so much more vivid and I can definitely say this may have been the most memorable reread so far.
I love the magic of this story, from how Eustace eventually learns that his actions have consequences and kind of becomes more likeable, and how Lucy recognises her worth. I especially appreciate the part with Aslan. I love him so much, and I think he would love me too.
I found the ending particularly poignant as the children are growing up, as we obviously all do. But, the beauty is, these wonderful books allow me to escape to this fascinating world whenever I feel like it. -
My BFF thinks this book is boring ... but I disagree. I really love it. All of the little islands they visit hold an amazing story. I just can't believe the movie wrecked this beautiful adventure so!
~Kellyn Roth,
Reveries Reviews -
*1.5 stars💫
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Time for a Christmassy reread :)
Review later -
I knew that the new film version of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader was going to be bad. I did not know that it was going to be that retarded that I'd question my faith in my own taste. (Not that I don't like retarded stuff. But boring too? Ouch.) Was the book that bad? I don't remember all of it. It's been years since I've read it. Lauren, you're never picking the movie ever again.
A video game version of the movie would be better than the movie. At least it would be more difficult! What the fuck was up with the swords? Was that ALL there was to it? I seem to remember there was more... "Hey, there's the lord's sword. Pick it up." There were all these old lords with ZZ Top beards and no one bust out into "She's got legs"? I guess they forgot how to use them when they were asleep for that long. I seem to remember there was more to the lords than that. I seem to remember that Caspian learned more than a trite "Be your own man" message relating to his hero worship of the dad he didn't know (the movie seems to forget that he didn't know his dad). There was more than gripping the flaccid swords of old men and daddy never touched me as a child. Wasn't there?
The looks thing? What the? Lucy didn't perform a spell to look "beautiful" like Susan (I'm enough of a girl that I thought "Well, she's not THAT pretty..."). She used it to eavesdrop. She found out that her friend said something she didn't mean about her behind her back. Because she did that, they would never be friends the same way again. What Lucy really learned was that people are pissy bitches and one bad mood isn't them all the time. Girls can insult your ugly sweater and still really (sometimes secretly) admire you.
I know that Eustace becoming a dragon and the process of becoming "himself" again was more. I loved that in the book it wasn't some pansy "Be nice" message. Eustace was a jerk because he was afraid of everything, afraid to think for himself. In the movie he learns to be what the "cool kids" want instead of just not being afraid to change. What the? Boo! The "be yourself" message about Lucy and Caspian did not mesh with the "be like everybody else" message they inflicted on the audience about poor Eustace. (The kid who played Eustace was the only good actor in the film. Lucy is an embarrassment. Also inappropriate! She did that wide-eyed wonder grin when her cousin was stuck as a dragon! What idiots let that one go by? They made their heroine look like a bitch.)
Okay, they made a lot of mistakes in the pretty bad Prince Caspian film. He shouldn't have been old. It was nothing to meet him again later on in his life if he's still a young man. The stupid Susan romance? Who cares when he meats (Freudian slip) the star chick if they are pissed he forgets about Susan? I hated that movie. It was pre-school LOTR films battle scenes. They got all wrong what were the good parts of the book.
I know that Edmund admits to being a shit for his first Narnia visit. This is not mentioned in the film. I liked that about Edmund in the book.
Nothing new here: I always loathed Reepicheep. He's the little thing that runs his big mouth so no one will underestimate him. If he was really that good he wouldn't have to run his mouth. He's also the biggest mouth peice for Aslan-mania.
The "Bad stuff happens have faith anyway" stuff. I remember that The Last Battle is the most overtly religious book in the series and I managed to ignore the rest in the other books. They upped the ante? Am I a harder sell?
I don't like this. I feel more or less the same person as before. I'll still read the kids and ya books that recognize the parts of you that you can carry on with you. Not the bad taste for silly melodrama parts but the "That happened and I can't pretend it didn't" experiences. Narnia was such a good part of my life. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe was the first book I really remember reading. I don't want it to be the bad part that I only pretended was good to get by.
P.s. I don't wanna be all Comic Book Guy, but it annoyed the effing hell out of me that Eustace's mom announces in the end that "Jill Pole is here to see you!" Jill wasn't his friend before! Eustace didn't have friends. So annoying.
Oh yeah! I forgot to say what I thought about writing here while watching that dumb ass movie. They really wasted a golden chance. C.S. Lewis made digs about the loss of freedoms for kids, school systems that babied kids and at the same time allowed fucked up shit to go on so they wouldn't "Stifle" anybody. Kids today have no freedom. Parents will call the cops on each other if they run around outside and play. Yet here was Edmund and Lucy having to be shut-in after they had lived it up as free-thinking adults in Narnia. Instead? They waste it all by bamming audiences on the head about doing what Aslan wants. That doesn't mesh with the good parts of the Narnia series that I remembered it to have.
EDIT- Lauren will be pissed at me for not mentioning the glow in the dark "eevel" green mist. What the hell was that? I don't remember that. They should just let me write these things. The BBC tv movies back in the day combined Voyage and Prince. Probably because the actual plots were so thin. That's why they should let me do it. I'd have made the whole thing a dragon eating its own skin off movie. Prince Caspian would have been a refugee movie.
Lauren really hated the actor who played the magician. You know they are a nobody if they weren't in Harry Potter (some exceptions allowed for LOTR actors). -
This book was and one of my favorites in the series and it contains one of my favorite fantasy scenes in the entire world of fantasy.
Seriously, that scene was one I loved to reenact at every beach and pool. As recent as 2018. I am not ashamed to admit it. It's so much fun.
Of all the trips into Narnia, it's definitely the best.
Anywho, about the rest of the book. I loved the introduction of Eustace and although his character arc was a bit contrived, I still enjoyed it.
As for the biblical allegory, I'm really not sure. I did a lot of googling (okay, not that much) and people think it's multiple stories. I thought maybe it could be Noah's arc but I honestly have no clue.
➵ 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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I liked the humor with the Mouse Reepicheep, especially when he defended himself while being swung in the air by his tail. I enjoyed the quick wit of King Caspian, how he had a response to Eustace when he told about his big ship back home. The English is a bit harder to read in some chapters of this story. I haven't read many classics for this reason and don't get me started with Shakespeare because I don't understand the written language in it at all.
This book started with Eustace Clarence, Lucy's cousin. This summer, Lucy's family got split up. Susan and her parents traveled to America, Peter stayed at the Professor's home, while Edmund and Lucy were to stay with their cousin Eustace's family. One day at their aunt's house, they found a way back to Narnia, aboard a ship and bringing along Eustace. At first encounter, Lucy and Edmund were reunited with King Caspian. This time, one year in England was only 3 years in Narnia, unlike in book 2, it seemed like thousands of years went by. In this book, Caspian took an adventure by sea to look for his late father's missing Lords. This story was again narrated by the author.
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader was well written and an enjoyable read! Eustace seemed like a horrible boy but it's funny to read his diary entries and his lost adventures. I'm not too fond of the sea and especially when there's bad weather. I do; however, enjoyed every time when they discovered new land. The mystery with the dragon was good and I haven't read one like it. I also liked the Island of the Voices. It's fun, imaginative, and a little creepy when Lucy had to go upstairs. Overall, this book was a good read and I do recommend everyone to read it.
xoxo, Jasmine at
www.howusefulitis.wordpress.com for more details -
Read this aloud to my kids. It was always one of my favorites of the Narnia books, I was always fascinated by the dreamlike quality of the ending and the different islands they visit. The one thing about Lewis is that you'll be going along, reading about a pool of water that turns everything to gold, or an island full of one-legged dwarfs who got accidentally turned invisible, and you're like, what fun fantasy this is! And then suddenly there's a Lamb offering the children grilled fish that was the most delicious thing they have ever eaten, then turning into a Lion, and you're like, if this is totally heavy Christian allegory, then what about the rest of it? Who are the Dufflepuds, in Christian symbolism? And then your brain cries a little.
And yes, the bit with Eustace and the dragon is also clearly allegory, but it can still be enjoyed as pure fantasy if you want. Love that part. Love Eustace's horribleness. -
Having read the first book back in Christmas and feeling confused about the reading order I'll say that this was a very enjoyable and easy to read children's book. I'm still struggling to find out who the reading order of Narnia is. I've seen that this is either the 2nd or the 5th book but then again I've seen it being named the 3rd book. I'm just going to read it however I want and hope it'll all be fine. At least, I don't there was any missing detail from the book, so that must be a good thing.
As to why I gave this 3 stars is because I found it less adventurous than the first one, I felt this one was a bit rushed and yes that's the way children's books usually are but it was a bit too much for me. I loved the characters, although some of the characters of the first book were missing, but we had a new one on the children side, and several new ones on the world of Narnia.
A journey in the sea on a ship named Dawn Treader. C. S. Lewis is a masterful author, very laconic but at the same time his words are utterly descriptive. The thing with children's books is that they always make me feel nostalgic and give me this feeling we all had as children, I feel carefree. -
Such a rich fantasy adventure full of unforgettable episodes - a boy-dragon, a Midas pool, invisible enemies, little Sea people, a fearless mouse, an enchanted table, the island where dreams come true and more. And above all Aslan. Truly a pleasure to read to my young children.
The most unforgettable scene in this (and so worth remembering) is when Lucy magically overhears her friend gossiping about her and how that irrevocably changes their relationship - a thought-provoking reminder of the effects of gossip. -
What can I say that hasn't already been said about C.S. Lewis' fantastical world?
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I read this as a child. The end of this book with it's end of the earth myth expanded my mind back then. I really enjoyed Reepicheep. He was unexpected. The two older children- Peter and Susan were not in this one and I thought that was sad, but it still works out. This is a good series and a quick read.
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Gosh, I just wanted the voyage to end.
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I love the whole Narnia series, but this was my favorite. Lovely, sad, and whimsical. C. S. Lewis at his finest.
***wondering why all my reviews are five stars? Because I'm only reviewing my favorite books -- not every book I read. Consider a novel's presence on my Goodreads bookshelf as a hearty endorsement. I can't believe I just said "hearty." It sounds like a stew.**** -
I had kind of forgotten how easy it is to get lost in this series. I cracked open this book and before I knew it it was already over and I was longing for more. These books make me want to devour them all in one sitting but I’m trying to take it slow this time around. It’s torture in a way but it’s also great because I get to travel back to my childhood in between other reads! That being said, this is one of my favourites out of the series and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it again!
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Narnia and the odyssey of life! 5th Narnian book in chorological order. follows the events of prince Caspian. includes reoccurring characters Prince (now King) Caspian, the mouse Reepicheep, and the two younger Pevensie children Edmund and Lucy. Also the introduction of their cousin Eustace who sees out the end of the series.
While spending the summer with their bratty spoiled cousin Eustace Clarence Scrubb. the younger put out Pevensie children notice a portrait of a unmistakably Narnian ship. while trying to explain Narnia to their obstinate cousin they fall into the portrait. thus began their epic sea voyage. Caspian is on a mission to find the 7 lords loyal to his father exiled by Miraz a decade before. But a bigger mission is harbored in the heart Reepicheep that to find Aslan's country to the east at the edge of the world.
Many adventures ensue they shut down a Calormen slave market, Eustace get turned in a dragon, enter a bad storm, almost die of thirst, meet a magician and his Dufflepods, get attacked by a sea monster, discover a fallen star and see sights like a lake that turns things to gold and a island of darkness full of waking dreams (nightmares). one minor quibble the adventures at the beginning take to long spending chapters with the dufflepods and on the lone islands. but a few pages on the sea monster, dark island, and former star toward the end. This leads the pacing to seem to pick up toward the end. along with is arching pace their is a nice character arch as the bothersome Eustace turns in and alright boy. i mean it's still not Edmund's traitor to hero story but it's still growth of a sort. everyone agree that he was a better type of boy except his mother who said "he had become commonplace and tiresome". oh, a mother's love!
the adventures on the voyage are entertaining and reflect a life lead by faith. if your willing to look for the ideological imagery. But did not get in the way of my enjoyment of the tale. Enjoyed this solid tale of Narnia! -
In the Voyage of the Dawn Treader, King Caspian of Narnia takes to sea, sailing eastward to find the seven lords who were sent to eastern islands years ago by Miraz. Lucy and Edmund are at the present staying with their aunt and uncle and their intolerable cousin, Eustace. While admiring a picture of a sailing ship in Lucy's bedroom, they find them drawn in to the picture and transported in to Narnian waters right along with their whinny cousin.
It was a pleasant adventure story to read. The voyage takes them all to different islands where some trial awaited them. The different trials they meet at different locations and the descriptive details so beautifully written about each of those places they sailed were quite fascinating. And Eustace's ill humor added a comical effect. However, comparatively with other books in the Chronicles, this book lacked action and suspense. It was rather a surprise for me as the movie version was more action packed.
The human characters were rather flat, perhaps except Eustace. I did like the character development of Eustace from being arrogant, complaining and self centered to the humble, enduring and helpful boy. The bravery, strength and courage of Lucy, Edmund and Caspian - the Narnian Kings and queen, were displayed poorly. I felt there was more bravery and courage in the little mouse, Reepicheep. Honestly, it was the most interesting character of the lot. And most of all I missed the presence of Aslan, whose appearance was scarce.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed the read. It is hard not to enjoy these chronicles in spite of certain flaws. There is indeed some magic that keeps the reader engaged. :)
With his read, I've completed five books of the chronicles in their chronological order. I'm determined to read the rest and complete the series. So, the next one will be The Silver Chair. -
One of the best. From entering Narnia through a painting to Eustace Scrubb deserving his name, to the Island where dreams come true and Reepicheep the brave (and annoying) mouse, this simple book is chockful of itself being the 'right kind of book' and then some.
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This is probably my favorite so far out of the series!! :D I LOVE THESE CHARACTERS SO MUCH!! lol All the adventures they went on, and Eustace’s gradual character development were just so good…it took me a little longer to get through this than I would have liked because of how busy I’ve been, but it was so worth it and I’m glad I finally got the chance to read it! The ending though gave me chills…sort of in a good way I guess haha I almost started tearing up, but I was outside surrounded by people at the time so I was trying to keep my emotions in xD
(Sorry if the gifs annoy you guys, but I always enjoy seeing them on people's reviews or looking back on my own :P lol)
Oh and if you are still reading this far lol xD my favorite quote from the book was this:
"It isn't Narnia, you know," sobbed Lucy. "It's you. We shan't meet you there. And how can we live, never meeting you?"
"But you shall meet me, dear one," said Aslan.
"Are -are you there too, Sir?" said Edmund.
"I am," said Aslan. "But there I have another name. You must learn to know me by that name. This was the very reason why you were brought to Narnia, that by knowing me here for a little, you may know me better there."
C.S. Lewis -
I made this a slow re-read over the last few days while under a lot of stress at work. It was perfect. Nostalgic and comforting, but also with so much more to pull from now as I read as an adult. There are quite a few classical and theological allusions in here that I never noticed before. I better understand the disappointment with the movie. Talk about drawing from the least interesting part of the adventure!
Also the first few chapters had me shipping Caspian and Lucy which just goes to show (as my housemate says) that I have a knack for shipping the wrong couple.
My favorite part of this re-read was when Eustace doesn't know what a dragon is because "he didn't read the right kind of books" and when Edmund thinks critically about something because "he read detective stories." It just goes to show that it is good to incorporate lots of fiction in your life!
