A beautifully written, imaginative, and thoroughly enjoyable read.

The narration is warm, witty, and the protagonists are likable. Though it's a shorter story, it offers surprising depth, and the settings are vivid and fantastic. I highly recommend these books to readers of all ages as a great form of escapism, though the Christian symbolism can be a bit heavy at times. Nevertheless, it's a magical world of fantasy well worth exploring. ( )

From the dedication page in the front cover of the book, this entire writing is a vivid, heart-swelling picture of the gospel to God's children. It is an inspiration to be like Lewis's childlike professor, old enough again to read fairy tales and to ascend into the spiritual whenever and wherever called. ( )

Hard to know what to say about this one, because it is so heavily colored with nostalgia for me, I can’t think of it critically or see it how an adult would for the first time. It’s a beloved series from my childhood, and this was the first book that introduced me to Narnia, that magical other land ruled by a benevolent speaking lion. The story starts with four children, siblings who have been sent out to the countryside to be safe from the bombings in London (WWII). They’re staying in a big old house and one day the youngest, Lucy, steps into a large wardrobe to hide. She’s completely surprised to find that it leads into another land entirely, where she meets a faun and talking beasts. She’s excited to tell her brothers and sister about this place, but at first they don’t believe her (and Edmund is particularly mean about it). But eventually all the children go through the wardrobe, and their adventures begin. Narnia is under a curse from a witch, who set herself up as ruler and makes it always winter (but never Christmas). There are rumors that the lion Aslan is returning to set things right, so the animals the children meet are hopeful for a change. But Edmund is beguiled by the witch, and temporarily turns traitor. With his life at stake, the children are drawn intricately into the battle between good and evil. (Honestly, the battle scenes tired me just as much this time around as in any reading of my youth). The rest of it was as delightful (and solemn by turns) as I recall. Aslan (the lion) makes what looks like the ultimate sacrifice for Edmund, but instead of this allowing the witch to gain full power as she desires, it turns everything around with renewal. Really heavy on the Christian symbolism, no surprise.

I find myself running out of words, here. I just enjoyed it all over again- the hush and cold of winter, the loveliness of sudden spring, the children’s joy in their beloved lion, their little petty squabbles and making up again. The only part that really struck me as odd, was how formally the children spoke near the end of the book, when they had grown into adults in the magical land. Future books set in Narnia don’t have the characters talking in that overly formal way, if I recall. I suppose I’ll find out soon enough, because I’m going to continue, re-read the whole series. ( )

A classic fairy tale that is fun, imaginative, exciting and uplifting. This book is an easy read, captivating and entertaining for all ages. I love that the king of Narnia, the hope of deliverance for all creatures, is a lion―the depiction of strength, power, and ferocity. Yet he was the most compassionate and sacrificing individual in the story. It is a touching tale. ( )

I don't know how I'd never managed to read this one..but somehow I hadn't. it was a great read even as an adult and even after having seen the movie 1/2 dozen times. I loved the little side notes that are in the text from the author. they had me cracking up. ( )