Finished my second Narnia book today. Thanks to those of you who commented on my post about The Magician’s Apprentice, I was ready for the blatant symbology of The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe.
But I’m still not feeling the love. It just didn’t strike me as much of a story. It was an interesting world, yes, but really no characters overcame any obstacles while they were ‘on-stage’. Maybe my expectations were too high? Little brother betrays his siblings because of a magic spell cast on him. Other siblings flee towards Aslan with the help of 2 beavers. Santa Claus pops in (WTF?). Witch and little brother give chase, and Witch treats little brother so badly that he realizes he’s been duped. Siblings reach Aslan, elder brother kills a wolf. Aslan’s minions save little brother. Aslan and Witch make a deal, but Aslan essentially tricks the Witch. A battle happens, Witch is killed. End of story.
I guess I just felt like the 4 kids were just being dragged around for most of the story, leaving the main characters to be Aslan and the Witch, but neither was really very compelling since both were so two dimensional.
Like I said, I think I’m just approaching these from the wrong frame of mind. I need to just approach them as nice fairy tales, maybe. That way I won’t expect a complex plot or much nuance.
I feel like a heretic for not loving the books, though.
Well, you know what a huge fan of children’s literature I am, and when I read this one a few years ago, I was not thrilled. I agree with you about the characters – I did not become attached to any of them. When I found out it was becoming a movie, I thought that might actually give it a bit more depth, which is funny because it’s usually the other way around! It is a very interesting “idea” for a story, it’s really more like an outline, the bare bones telling of what happens. Personally I much prefer the stories with character development like Skellig. So you are not alone in your feelings about this one my friend!!! (I do have high hopes for the movie however…)
These books aren’t my favorite either. And you’re right, the characters don’t actually do much.
I sort of enjoyed them as a kid, but they’re not among the books I feel like rereading as an adult. I did just reread Leguin’s Earthsea novels, and I recommend that.