The Chronicles of Narnia Boxed Set FROM OUR EDITORS
Narnia fans, rejoice! To celebrate the 50th anniversary of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, here are all seven books in the magical Chronicles of Narnia series -- in one deluxe boxed set. This incredible set is a must-have for anyone who wants to step into the unforgettable world of Narnia time and time again.
FROM THE PUBLISHER
Beloved by generations for more than 50 years, this classic children's series is now available in a dynamic mass market edition boxed set.
Author Biography: The late Clives Staples Lewis was a fellow tutor in English literature at Oxford and Professor of Medieval and Renaissance literature at Cambridge. One of the most important writers of the 20th century, he is the author of more than 30 works.
SYNOPSIS
Beloved by generations for more than 50 years, this classic children's series is now available in a special adult edition.
FROM THE CRITICS
Children's Literature
When The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe appeared on the literary scene in 1950, it helped to define the genre of fantasy for children and adolescents and opened the door for authors like J. K. Rowling (the "Harry Potter" series), Gail Carson Levine (Ella Enchanted and The Princess Tales), and Phillip Pullman (His Dark Materials Trilogy). The books that followed all took up either the adventures of the five main characters from the first book—Peter, Susan, Edward and Lucy, who became the Kings and Queens of Narnia and the mysterious lion, Aslan, everlasting ruler of all Narnia—or followed events occurring in the "otherworld" of Narnia itself. This current compilation arranges the seven books of Narnia in the order C. S. Lewis thought they should be read. Thus, in The Magician's Nephew (1955), we learn of the origins of Narnia. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (1950), The Horse and His Boy (1954), Prince Caspian (1951), The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (1952), and The Silver Chair (1953) provide further adventures for the main characters and their friends. The final book, The Last Battle (1956), chronicles the end of Narnia. The adventures themselves are compelling for younger readers, and those who come to Narnia as older "participants" may find themselves analyzing the Christian allegory that Lewis infused throughout the texts. However, in light of concerns about gender or ethnic representations, some readers may have concerns about the stereotypical manner in which a number of characters are constructed. And those students who have found fantasy because of Harry Potter may find The Chronicles of Narnia, at a surface level, less compelling. But Narnia still invites readersof all ages to its shores, and trip is well worth the time. 2001 HarperCollins Publishers, $19.95. Ages 8 up. Reviewer: Jean Boreen
AudioFile
This collection includes programs of seven titles in C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia: THE MAGICIAN'S NEPHEW; THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE; THE HORSE AND HIS BOY; PRINCE CASPIAN; THE VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER; THE SILVER CHAIR; and THE LAST BATTLE. Stunning packaging and a classic cast of narrators complement this special listening experience. The great British voices of Ian Richardson, Claire Bloom, Sir Anthony Quail, and Michael York weave Lewis's web of stories and adventures. Some of the recordings date from the '70s, but they meld seamlessly with York's performance this year. R.F.W. © AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine
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