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.
Dec 29, 2011 |
Started: December 26, 2011
Finished: December 27, 2011
What I loved best: The introduction of Narnia. While this book was published sixth in the series, chronologically it is the first. The hardbound collection I have has the books in order of events, not publication so I was able to read this first.
I was hooked, absolutely hooked, at the first sentence: “This is a story about something that happened long ago when your grandfather was a child.”
Because it is written for children, it’s a very fast and easy read. I adore how Lewis refers to characters as “Mother” instead of “his mother” and such. His descriptions and dialogue are just how I would have imagined London to be, and I found myself reading with that English accent. I loved the subtle introduction of characters that will come into more prominence in later books, and even the beginning introduction for the characters in this book.
I audibly gasped and cheered and laughed throughout the story, but more often than not found myself holding my breath to see what would happen next.
I was thrilled with the ending, as the final chapter is titled “The End of This Story and the Beginning of All the Others”. And that’s exactly how it felt.
The foundation had been laid. Now it’s time to continue the journey into Narnia.
Dec 28, 2011 |
Yesterday I wrote about the books I have that I’m going to read in 2012.
This morning I listed all the books I still want but don’t yet have.
So I created “The Bookshelf”: a page on my blog to track my reading progress, additions to my wishlist, and my own reviews of books and whatnots. It’s a neat little way of keeping organized and informed.
Wanna check it out? Click here.
Leave a comment, a recommendation, or a question. After all, I’d rather have the thousand words…
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
