Have you read The Great Divorce? Lewis’s major attempt to deal with this problem is there, not in the Narnia books.
What Thudlow Boink said. Also, I think it was structurally impossible for Lewis to deal definitively with what happens to Susan’s soul in The Last Battle (I know she didn’t die in the railway accident, but bear with me) because of the constraints of his universe. Aslan is not going to explain it to anyway; that would be “telling someone else’s story,” which the great lion does not do.
I didn’t read the books until shortly before the movie came out.
I wasn’t all that impressed by them. His writing style wasn’t all that hot and the theological bullshit turned me off cold. I went to see the movie and was reasonably impressed by it technically, but still turned off by the theological bullshit.
1. When did you first read the Chronicles, and what prompted you to do so? Were you introduced by a parent, a teacher, the 70s’ animated cartoon, the recent movie, or something else?
A girlfriend gave the set to me as a sixteenth birthday present. I never read them until three years later. I was bored after lunch, and picked up The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.
I finished The Last Battle sometime around midnight.
2. Do you find the Chronicles’ Christian subtext an asset or a defect? If you are a Christian, do you feel the books have assisted you in your spiritual journey? If you are an atheist, ?
I am a Christian. It is an asset, since it is what makes it something more than bubble gum for the mind.
C.S.Lewis’ other writings have been more influential, but I probably enjoyed Narnia more. For enjoyable and influential, The Screwtape Letters is better, but Narnia is second.
3. Which of the books is your favorite, and why? Which is your least favorite, and why??
Favorite is The Horse and His Boy. For the diversity of the characters, and the excitement of Lewis’ handling of the Lost Prince theme.
All the others are tied for second. 
4. Which of the books do you think is best written? If this one is not your favorite, why do you downgrade it??
Same answer.
5. Of the Chronicles’ eleven child protagonists–Peter, Susan, Edmund, Lucy, Caspian, Eustace, Jill, Shasta, Aravis, Digory, and Polly–whom do you like best? Whom do you most dislike? Whom do you identify with?
?
Jill, for some reason, is my favorite character. There is a very interesting scene in The Last Battle where Jill is falling in love with Jewel the unicorn. I thought that was as close as Lewis was going to come to the sexual awakening of any of his child characters.
But Jill is brave, adventurous, determined, and willing to try to obey the Lion. What more do you want?
Puddleglum the Marsh-wiggle is my favorite of any of the Narnian characters.
Edmund is probably my least favorite child Narnian. After his repentence, he doesn’t seem to have much to distinguish him from the others. The only characteristic scene, and something I would have liked to see Lewis develop, is that Edmund is the first one to believe Lucy really say Aslan in Prince Caspian, because he learned to trust Lucy from his repentence in the first book. If he really was King Edmund the Wise, there could have been more examples of this.
6. Do you think Susan went to hell? If so, does this reduce your enjoyment of the books? If you think she didn’t, why not??
Well, yes, in the context of the books. She was no longer a “Friend of Narnia”. Whether or not she actually does, no one knows, but as a literary device to show that there are consequences to faith or its loss, yes, she doesn’t die on the train and therefore does not go “further up and further in” with the rest of them.
It adds very much of a bittersweet tang to the story. It is sort of like (forgive the analogy) like the death of the woman protagonist in Psycho - a judicious use of a violation of the unspoken assumptions of the audience, that a really important character can’t die.
But they can. Death and loss are real.
7. What do you think is the most valid criticism of the books? What is the series’ greatest strength??
A good deal of sexism, as has been mentioned. Some of the characters are flat and stock. I thought some of The Dawn Treader dragged in spots.
The strength of the series is the power of the Christian imaginination, in the hands of a great writer. Great children’s literature is as good as any great literature, and both harder to do and rarer. Worse luck.
8. Did you like the recent movie, dislike it, or refuse to watch it??
Liked it, didn’t love it.
Nothing could live up to my imagination, but they did a credible job. We own it on DVD.
9. A few years ago there were rumblings that HarperCollins might hire writers to add on to the Chronicles, possibly requring that the stories have less religious subtext. What do you think of this idea??
If they attempt to rework the series to change its central focus, I am reminded again of why I support the death penalty.
I recently read Mr. Darcy Takes a Wife, a “sequel” to Pride and Prejudice. It wasn’t bad, but it certainly wasn’t much like PaP. Same here - I can’t believe they could find a writer who wouldn’t f- it up.
10. So what IS the proper order for reading the books? Publication order or internal chronology?
Publication order.
Regards,
Shodan
Actually, he was King Edmund the Just, and there were examples in the books. His empathy for Eustace in The Voyage of The Dawn Treader was one; for another, he called for justice for Rabadash in The Horse & His Boy. There may be more – this is from memory and it’s been a year or so since I last reread the series.
1. When did you first read the Chronicles, and what prompted you to do so? Were you introduced by a parent, a teacher, the 70s’ animated cartoon, the recent movie, or something else?
I believe I read them around 3rd grade, it was the year I discovered books in general. I think I got the set for one of my birthdays. My family was very religious at the time (before my parents divorced and my mother and sister both came out LOL) and my parents read alot of C.S Lewis.
2. Do you find the Chronicles’ Christian subtext an asset or a defect? If you are a Christian, do you feel the books have assisted you in your spiritual journey? If you are an atheist,
>>
I found it to be a great asset. They are probably the last vestige of Christianity I hold on to. Although TLB is probably my least favorite, it has my favorite scene - the part where the Calormene soldier who was devoted to Tash was still welcomed by Aslan. That made a HUGE impression on me when I was very young and in an environment where I could easily become very self-righteous/evangelical.
3. Which of the books is your favorite, and why? Which is your least favorite, and why?>>
I can’t pick one- I have to go with both *The Voyage of the Dawn Treader * and The Horse and His Boy . VDT wins hands down because of Reepicheep and THHB wins because it has not just one, but two wonderful talking horses (I was very horse crazy as a youngster).
My least favorite is *The Last Battle * for many of the same reasons written here.
4. Which of the books do you think is best written? If this one is not your favorite, why do you downgrade it?>>
I think LWW is the best written, it moves well and just the introduction to that world was very well done and intriguing. It is not my favorite though and I think that is because my favorite mouse is not there :).
5. Of the Chronicles’ eleven child protagonists–Peter, Susan, Edmund, Lucy, Caspian, Eustace, Jill, Shasta, Aravis, Digory, and Polly–whom do you like best? Whom do you most dislike? Whom do you identify with?>>
Eustace and Jill Pole are my favorites- Eustace peeling off the dragon skin and Jill “making love” to the giants are scenes that stand out to me.
6. Do you think Susan went to hell? If so, does this reduce your enjoyment of the books? If you think she didn’t, why not?>>
No, I think her story is still not over (even now it is somewhat possible she still lives and has the chance to accept Aslan/Christ)
7. What do you think is the most valid criticism of the books? What is the series’ greatest strength?>>
Personally, I don’t buy the the sexism and racism charges. I think any good story is told from the viewpoint of those who are acting in it. I don’t believe we can expect the author or the characters to act outside their times. I think that is part of what makes literature so rewarding, to get an inside view of differing characters, cultures and times. In my opinion, their greatest strength is simply the stories and characters. They still interest me some 25 years or so after I read them for the first time.
8. Did you like the recent movie, dislike it, or refuse to watch it?-**
I liked the battle scene and while the White Witch wasn’t what I imagined, she was amazing. I hope they make it to VDT though, I also am afraid of how well Prince Caspian will hold up for film.
**9. A few years ago there were rumblings that HarperCollins might hire writers to add on to the Chronicles, possibly requring that the stories have less religious subtext. What do you think of this idea?>> **
I wish I could forget you told me this could happen :eek: .
**
10. So what IS the proper order for reading the books? Publication order or internal chronology?>>**
Publication order (duh!). I recently loaned a friend my new copy of the books all combined in one- I had to re-number the order in which she read them.
I get the sense that you felt the Christian subtext–the theology, one might say – was the solid waste of a bovine animal. Izzat so?
Ah, well. Your post just reinforces my resolution to stay out of Peter Jackson/ROTK discussions.
Well, I’m a bit late, but what the heck.
1. When did you first read the Chronicles, and what prompted you to do so? Were you introduced by a parent, a teacher, the 70s’ animated cartoon, the recent movie, or something else?
My mom is a Lewis fiend of the first order, so I don’t remember when I first read them. Probably around age 6 or 8. I don’t remember a cartoon, unless you mean that awful movie made in the 80’s with the vile whinging Lucy and the animated special effects?
2. Do you find the Chronicles’ Christian subtext an asset or a defect? If you are a Christian, do you feel the books have assisted you in your spiritual journey?
Being a somewhat obtuse child, I never noticed the Christian message and had it pointed out to me in college. I would say that many of Lewis’ books have made a collective deep impression on me; he’s a favorite of mine. (I am a devout religous person, in case that wasn’t clear.)
3. Which of the books is your favorite, and why? Which is your least favorite, and why?
I have an awful time picking favorites. I like all of them, even TLB. I have favorite scenes in all.
4. Which of the books do you think is best written? If this one is not your favorite, why do you downgrade it?
I’d have to reread them all and then tell you.
5. Of the Chronicles’ eleven child protagonists–Peter, Susan, Edmund, Lucy, Caspian, Eustace, Jill, Shasta, Aravis, Digory, and Polly–whom do you like best? Whom do you most dislike? Whom do you identify with?
I always liked Jill’s survival skills and common sense. Again, I have favorite bits of all of them.
6. Do you think Susan went to hell? If so, does this reduce your enjoyment of the books? If you think she didn’t, why not?
Susan isn’t dead yet. She has plenty of time to change her mind, or not. Lewis never said she went to hell, or even implied it IMO–it’s an open question, as it is for all of us.
7. What do you think is the most valid criticism of the books? What is the series’ greatest strength?
Strength: its joyfulness. Criticism: I don’t know. I disagree with many of them, and have one or two of my own.
8. Did you like the recent movie, dislike it, or refuse to watch it?
Liked it. Problems: the Hollywood “we have to have the river fall apart and everyone escape death with lots of CGI” scene, and the tree nymphs. Loved almost everything else, though of course it doesn’t measure up to the books–what movie does? (I’m hoping to make my little girls be Susan and Lucy for Halloween–anyone know of a good pattern?)
9. A few years ago there were rumblings that HarperCollins might hire writers to add on to the Chronicles, possibly requring that the stories have less religious subtext. What do you think of this idea?
Argh, the horror!
10. So what IS the proper order for reading the books? Publication order or internal chronology?
Publication, of course. One of the great joys of life is reading The magician’s nephew for the first time and having the pieces fall into place.
Shodan, have you read Till We Have Faces, otherwise known as Eustace’s Story Arc from “Dawn Treader” for Grown-ups? It’s also excellent.
1. When did you first read the Chronicles, and what prompted you to do so? Were you introduced by a parent, a teacher, the 70s’ animated cartoon, the recent movie, or something else?
I can’t really remember with much certainty. I have a vague recollection of discussing them with a librarian. I know I asked her for the later books. I just can’t recall if she recommended the first one or not. I know I’d read them all by 3rd grade and I was the first of my friends to have read any of them.
2. Do you find the Chronicles’ Christian subtext an asset or a defect? If you are a Christian, do you feel the books have assisted you in your spiritual journey? If you are an atheist, how much does the subtext bother you?
I’m a Christian. However, I didn’t get the subtext till it was spelled out to me. Even when a Sunday School teacher was prompting us with questions like “what does Aslan’s sacrifice remind you of? Where have you heard of something like this?” I still didn’t get it. I find it an asset. It’s a layer underneath a fun story.
3. Which of the books is your favorite, and why? Which is your least favorite, and why?
LWW is my favorite, probably because it was the first one I read. Nothing beats that first experience of wonder at what I’d found. THHB is second, but only because I was nutty about horses.
4. Which of the books do you think is best written? If this one is not your favorite, why do you downgrade it?
It’s been a while since I’ve read them. DT is probably the best from what I can recall. I downgraded it for reasons mentioned in #3.
5. Of the Chronicles’ eleven child protagonists–Peter, Susan, Edmund, Lucy, Caspian, Eustace, Jill, Shasta, Aravis, Digory, and Polly–whom do you like best? Whom do you most dislike? Whom do you identify with?
I liked them all except for Lucy. She was just too perfect, and I sort of resented her for it. I probably identify most with Digory because I would have rung that damned bell too! I remember discussing this in school and I was the only one who understood why he rang that bell. No question. I’d have to ring it!
6. Do you think Susan went to hell? If so, does this reduce your enjoyment of the books? If you think she didn’t, why not?
As a kid reading the series, I was sure she was still alive. I didn’t think her punishment was hell, just that she didn’t get the big reward her siblings did at that time (though no one knows if she did later). I can appreciate the arguments that she did go to hell, but the kid in me who first read the book still insists that didn’t happen.
7. What do you think is the most valid criticism of the books? What is the series’ greatest strength?
I agree that the books can be a bit heavy handed. I never noticed it as a kid, perhaps because kids are used to getting lectured. However, as an adult, I can see how that would get annoying. The biggest strength is the incredible world Lewis created. I had a map of Narnia and the surrounding countries on my wall. I’d draw characters from the book (not the kids–the fun characters) all the time.
8. Did you like the recent movie, dislike it, or refuse to watch it?
I liked it. I was warned that I would hate it, so I went in with low expectations. I was pleasantly surprised. I think if I had gone in expecting to love it, I’d have been disapointed.
9. A few years ago there were rumblings that HarperCollins might hire writers to add on to the Chronicles, possibly requring that the stories have less religious subtext. What do you think of this idea?
That’s just stupid. The books are what they are. Taking the subtext out would make them something other than the author intended.
10. So what IS the proper order for reading the books? Publication order or internal chronology?
Publication order. No doubt about it.
I have, but only once and not closely enough for any kind of analysis. Frankly, I didn’t care much for it, but I didn’t much like That Hideous Strength either, until I reread it.
Regards,
Shodan
1. When did you first read the Chronicles, and what prompted you to do so? Were you introduced by a parent, a teacher, the 70s’ animated cartoon, the recent movie, or something else? Librarian, I was reading a LOT.
2**. Do you find the Chronicles’ Christian subtext an asset or a defect? If you are a Christian, do you feel the books have assisted you in your spiritual journey? If you are an atheist**, Didn’t notice it until pointed out. It’s rather subtle, if really there at all.
3. Which of the books is your favorite, and why? Which is your least favorite, and why? Voyage
4. Which of the books do you think is best written? If this one is not your favorite, why do you downgrade it? Voyage
6. Do you think Susan went to hell? If so, does this reduce your enjoyment of the books? If you think she didn’t, why not? “Once a King or Queen of Narnai, always a King or Queen of Narnia.” Aslan always keeps his promises. It’s just that Susan hadn’t died yet.
**
7. What do you think is the most valid criticism of the books? What is the series’ greatest strength?** None. They are books that children love to read, and that an adult can get get reading pleasue from. That makes then great.
8. Did you like the recent movie, dislike it, or refuse to watch it? It was pretty damn good.
9. A few years ago there were rumblings that HarperCollins might hire writers to add on to the Chronicles, possibly requring that the stories have less religious subtext. What do you think of this idea? No thanks. There was a “pick your own adventure” book out, and sure there could be more stuff along those lines.
10. So what IS the proper order for reading the books? Publication order or internal chronology?** Both.
1. When did you first read the Chronicles, and what prompted you to do so? Were you introduced by a parent, a teacher, the 70s’ animated cartoon, the recent movie, or something else?
17 years old, doing a book study for grade 12 English.
**2. Do you find the Chronicles’ Christian subtext an asset or a defect? If you are a Christian, do you feel the books have assisted you in your spiritual journey? If you are an atheist, **
I was going to a Catholic school at the time, and I had lapsed into atheism. These books brought me back to Christianity, though not Catholicism. That being said, I don’t see why they can’t be enjoyed without all the fuss about the Christian subtext. They’re beautiful, well-written stories, and I’m sure someone with minimal or no knowledge of Christianity would love them just the same.
**3. Which of the books is your favorite, and why? Which is your least favorite, and why?**Favourite is of course Lion, Witch & Wardrobe. It is the most magical of the three, and I love Aslan best in it. Least favourite is likely The Last Battle, only because it’s frustrating and sad.
4. Which of the books do you think is best written? If this one is not your favorite, why do you downgrade it?
Again, Lion, Witch & Wardrobe. I love it.
5. Of the Chronicles’ eleven child protagonists–Peter, Susan, Edmund, Lucy, Caspian, Eustace, Jill, Shasta, Aravis, Digory, and Polly–whom do you like best? Whom do you most dislike? Whom do you identify with?
I most like Peter, just because he’s human and makes mistakes, but has a noble heart. Lucy is also likable–she was written to be–but she’s too perfect to be my favourite. And of course I dislike Susan most. Doesn’t everybody?
6. Do you think Susan went to hell? If so, does this reduce your enjoyment of the books? If you think she didn’t, why not?
No. Though I can’t remember specifically why one would assume she went to hell at all. I know she grew away from Aslan and Narnia but I can’t remember anything apart from that except that she was generally shallow. Christians believe that God forgives, however, and Susan’s shallowness isn’t a mortal sin, it’s just sad.
7. What do you think is the most valid criticism of the books? What is the series’ greatest strength?
Can’t offer anything re: criticism. As far as strength, it’s well written. It’s magical. Too many people get all wrapped up in the Christianity of it all without just enjoying the story. They’re good stories.
8. Did you like the recent movie, dislike it, or refuse to watch it? I loved it because it was the story I adore. I hated it because it was a poor-quality movie, and many of the monsters looked like Muppets. If we have to put such a classic piece of children’s literature on screen, why not use all the budget and CGI that’s possible?
9. A few years ago there were rumblings that HarperCollins might hire writers to add on to the Chronicles, possibly requring that the stories have less religious subtext. What do you think of this idea?
It’s a horrible idea. It’s like some schmuck trying to add on to* Lord of the Rings* “without all that elfy stuff”. It’s ridiculous.
10. So what IS the proper order for reading the books? Publication order or internal chronology? I don’t think when Lewis wrote L,W&W that he knew he had a seven-book chronicle on his hands, or he likely would have started with *Magician’s Nephew *. I think they should be read in internal chronological order.
Commenting quickly just on the movie (seen twice, with kids), the fake animals were still not ready for the burden. The real ones (the wolves, for instance, were fine). Flaws more obvious at second viewing.
OTOH, Mr. Tumnus’ interior was better than I imagined and I wish to have tea there this pm. I’ll even eat the sardines.
- When did you first read the Chronicles, and what prompted you to do so? Were you introduced by a parent, a teacher, the 70s’ animated cartoon, the recent movie, or something else?
My mid-teens. I had become actively C’tian & CSL’s name kept popping up in
various books about my faith so I decided to check him out… Wow!
- Do you find the Chronicles’ Christian subtext an asset or a defect? If you are a Christian, do you feel the books have assisted you in your spiritual journey? If you are an atheist,
ASSET! Yeah, I’m on record as naming CoN as THE greatest contribution to C’tian lit of the 20th century, and I consider CSL one of my patron saints.
- Which of the books is your favorite, and why? Which is your least favorite, and why?
Faves- tied between LION and BATTLE. Least- HORSE- not a bad book, it’s just
not up there with the rest.
4. Which of the books do you think is best written? If this one is not your favorite, why do you downgrade it?
Well, DAWN’s opening “boy named Eustace” line is the best opening line ever, but
I’d still go with LION because it’s such a grabber for the rest of the series.
- Of the Chronicles’ eleven child protagonists–Peter, Susan, Edmund, Lucy, Caspian, Eustace, Jill, Shasta, Aravis, Digory, and Polly–whom do you like best? Whom do you most dislike? Whom do you identify with?
I don’t have an answer for those Qs. Never thought about it. I see too much of pre-Aslan Edmund or Eustace in myself for comfort, but hope to be like Digory/The Prof.
- Do you think Susan went to hell? If so, does this reduce your enjoyment of the books? If you think she didn’t, why not?
Susan COULD go to Hell/the Shadow of Aslan if she refuses Him forever. I’ve never done the fan-fic route myself, but it’s tempting to do a “Susan in Hell”
story to see if I can.
BUT I hope not! She certainly has time to return to Christ/Aslan.
- What do you think is the most valid criticism of the books? What is the series’ greatest strength?
Criticism- I can’t deny that the Calmoreans “duskiness” makes me a bit uncomfortable, and would need to be altered for future movies (perhaps
make them like classic-Trek Klingons G)
Strength- The Christianity.
- Did you like the recent movie, dislike it, or refuse to watch it?
Except for the shortness of the reviving the Statues (descent into Hades) scene, I
loved the movie & thought it was a near-perfect adaptation. The Sacrifice scene was perfect in its horror, esp the Witch’s TRIUMPH OF THE WILL rally.
- A few years ago there were rumblings that HarperCollins might hire writers to add on to the Chronicles, possibly requring that the stories have less religious subtext. What do you think of this idea?
I have no problem with high quality sequels. Kathryn Lindskoog had read one by a nun entitlted The Centaur’s Caven which she believed dealt with the Susan Q
quite well & did justice to the original books. I do want to read that one day.
IF a well-written Narnia sequel could be done with less “religion”, that’s OK, but to order up some “let’s have more Narnia, less Aslan” books is totally bogus.
- So what IS the proper order for reading the books? Publication order or internal chronology?
I thank Gresham for his work in maintaining his step-dad’s estate, and think his
endorsement of the chronological order will get him only a stay in Purgatory rather than the eternity in Aslan’s Shadow that it would otherwise deserve.
PUBLICATION! PUBLICATION! PUBLICATION!
[hijack]
FriarTed, I believe you are the one who recommended The Christ Clone trilogy as apocalyptic fiction that was not as dreadful as Left Behind. In which case, thanks - I just finished the first book in the series, and it is.
[/hijack]
Regards,
Shodan
It is what—as dreadful as Left Behind?
I’m a stone atheist, and I don’t understand the objections to the “Christian” subtext of the books. I’m an atheist, I don’t believe ANY virtues are specifically Christian ones.
So loyalty, redemption, hope, and such are Christian themes, but they are also human themes, and everything worthwhile about Christianity comes because Christians are human beings. I’d have no trouble reading a book exploring Buddhist virtues, Muslim virtues, animist virtues, Hellenic virtues, Hindu virtues, or Star Fleet virtues, so why would I have a problem with Christian allegory?
Aslan is an appealing character/concept, not because he’s Jesus in disguise, but because he’s noble, self-sacrificing, fatherly, loving, and just; and the message of Jesus isn’t appealing because Jesus is a demigod, but because it is a timeless human message of the above. Christianity doesn’t persist because of some farcical aquatic ceremony, some moistened tart lobbing scimitars or whatever–I’m a little foggy on the details–but because it fulfils human needs.
Thank you! I have tried to say the same, but not as well.
No not as dreadful. Actually, it is pretty good - sort of on a par with The DaVinci Code for prose style, and much superior in plotting, at least so far.
Have you read it? Any opinions?
Regards,
Shodan