Narnia Revisited
A few weeks back, I picked up Book 1 (The Magician’s Nephew) of the Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. Years ago, I received the entire series as a present and voraciously tore through the seven volumes. Therefore, this July, what began as a casual opening of Book 1 ended today with the completion of Book 7. What is it about these books? The style is conversational, gentle, and fit for children; nevertheless, the trap of stripping language bare in order to accomodate younger readers is avoided. But, it isn’t really the literary style or the deeper symbolism that held my attention then and now. The fantasy is so well anchored with insight into the human condition, you see the world around you more clearly by looking at another.
My Dear Lucy,
I wrote this story for you, but when I began it I had not realized that girls grow quicker than books. As a result you are already too old for fairy tales, and by the time it is printed and bound you will be older still. But some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again. You can then take it down from some upper shelf, dust it, and tell me what you think of it. I shall probably be too deaf to hear, and too old to understand, a word you say, but I shall still be
your affectionate Godfather,
C.S. Lewis
Above is the inscription in the best known book in the series, The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. Do make a point to journey through all the books, though. The final two chapters of The Last Battle paint one of the most beautiful pictures my mind’s eye has ever had the privilege of seeing. Today, upon reading those words again, they were more applicable and more real than they had been before. Like C.S. Lewis says, some day we will be old enough to read fairy tales again. I think, at that point, those chapters will hold an even deeper truth for me.
Now, what to read?