A Family Read Aloud: The Magician's Nephew

Make your choice, adventurous Stranger;
Strike the bell and bide the danger,
Or wonder, till it drives you mad,
What would have followed if you had.
              The Magician's Nephew
              C.S. Lewis

I'm sitting down, coffee in had, in a quiet moment on this crisp day in October.  It's been anything but a peaceful day, but this moment to sip my hot drink and reflect on a classic is a moment I look forward to.  I bought The Chronicles of Narnia set of books when my children were babies and that's been a few years ago now.  I looked forward to reading these books aloud to my kids even then, though I've never read them myself.  Lewis's books promised to be a treat from the first movie version I watched years ago.  Now, I, along with the kids am enjoying getting my feet wet with the first book in the series.

My coffee is just the right temperature and I'm reminded how tasty a chocolate chip cookie would be to accompany afternoon coffee next week.  Maybe I will put chocolate chips on the grocery list...  But I digress...

My Thoughts on The Magician's Nephew

The setting of The Magician's Nephew helped to draw us into the story.  The attic rooms and the passageways that promise entrance from one house to another sparks imagination of all ages.  Meanwhile, the kids related easily to the main characters, Polly and Digory.  They seemed realistic in that I don't personally know any kid who wouldn't at least consider ringing the bell.  And I know lots of grown ups who would not be able to resist as well.  And Polly's practical voice of reason in that situation resonated with us for the same practical reason - having found ourselves in similar situations.

Biblical imagery throughout the novel gave us ample opportunity to discuss in what ways Narnia is like our own planet.  It was a great opportunity to reread and discuss the creation story told in Genesis.  Narnia's creation, while a little different than our own planet, echoes the beauty God poured into the seven days of creation.  It makes us think of what it must have been like for Digory and company to have been there as Aslan called life in Narnia into being.

“But please, please - won't you - can't you give me something that will cure Mother?'

Up till then he had been looking at the Lion's great feet and the huge claws on them; now, in his despair, he looked up at its face. What he saw surprised him as much as anything in his whole life. For the tawny face was bent down near his own and (wonder of wonders) great shining tears stood in the Lion's eyes. They were such big, bright tears compared with Digory's own that for a moment he felt as if the Lion must really be sorrier about his Mother than he was himself.

'My son, my son,' said Aslan. 'I know. Grief is great.”
― C.S. Lewis, The Magician's Nephew

Aslan, the lion, is the all powerful creator of Narnia and is a symbol of God in the Chronicles of Narnia series.  He is one to be revered and respected while inspiring the love of his creation at the same time.  The plot thickens as Aslan's creation is challenged by a witch who threatens to bring her own evil intentions into play.  Comparing and contrasting the evil of the witch, Jadis, with the good works of Aslan brought about many interesting lunch time discussions as we read through the book.

Other plot twists, such as the good and bad choices of the Son of Man, Digory, and the out- for- himself Uncle Andrew, served to make this first novel in the series a much loved favorite in our home.  C.S. Lewis wove a beautiful story that shouldn't be missed by anyone, of any age, in my opinion.  We are looking forward to diving into the next book in the series, The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe.  

Here is a link to the Magician's Nephew on Amazon.  This is an affiliate link which will provide a small percentage for me, the author of The Mysterious Bookshelf should you make a purchase.  Thank you for taking a peek!