Dec 30, 2011 |
Started: December 28, 2011
Finished: December 28, 2011
What I loved best: This story truly did center on a Horse named Bree, and the boy, Shasta. I loved the way Lewis took a common animal and gave it voice, not only in being a Talking Animal, but in performance, character, behavior… if it had been a Dumb Animal, his portrayal would still have kept me reading.
I also thoroughly enjoyed the few Cats in the book, in particular of course, The Lion. The other cats, and the several lions throughout the book, were quite different than reading about horses, but very enjoyable.
I enjoyed the animal portrayals. Just like humans, there are some who are smart and some who are dumb; some who are Good and some who are Not. Lewis’ descriptions of the actions and the environments were delicious to read and quite visual. There is no doubt I now see things as he wanted them seen.
I again found myself thinking, reading, and even speaking with English accents. [My daughter should be glad when I’m onto my next series, perhaps a good Western twang will be fun for a month.] I want to tell you so much more about this book, but I don’t want to ruin it for those who have yet to read the series. So all I can say right now is, read them. Narnia is a beautiful place, and you must visit. Often. Now. Always.
Aslan’s waiting.
Dec 30, 2011 |
Started: December 27, 2011
Finished: December 28, 2011
What I loved best: The familiarity of the story and characters. I’ve grown up with several versions of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe on television and in the movies, but until now had not read the book. There were bits of the story not included in the modern movie from Walden Media [2005], but I soon recalled from my own childhood viewings of the BBC special on television. There were also bits in the modern movie that weren’t in the book, and I sometimes found myself comparing the differences. That didn’t last long, because Narnia is a land that requires, or at least deserves, full attention to the adventure, not a critique.
As with The Magician’s Nephew, this was a fast read. I nearly rushed through the battles, holding my breath at every roar of the Lion (and wishing I could truly hear it!), and relaxing with the Children as they rested at Tea. The subtle telling of the Gospel is an added bonus that makes it all the more enticing.
I did wish the story had lasted longer, but am anxious to now get onto Book Three: The Horse and His Boy. I’m not at all familiar with this story, and I believe it does not involve (to any great extent) the Children. As this story is unknown to me, and some longer than the first two, I’m expecting it to take a bit longer to read; but not much. Lewis has an amazing talent for keeping me within the pages until such a time as I finally remember to come up for air, or food, or sleep. Until then, I now belong to The Horse and His Boy.
