by Sahana C.
Sometimes mere escapism isn’t enough. Sometimes you need to really dig deep and find a distraction from endless online scrolling, so you can sit down and get back to a book. Sometimes you need to revisit an old – and I mean nostalgic old – favorite.
I’ve been rereading The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis for much of February, after not touching them in any way for maybe 15 years. Let me tell you – some of it really does not hold up. I chose to listen to the books this time, chasing, perhaps, some long-lost childhood feeling of being read to and trying to visualize the world as each chapter progressed. It made all the blatant anti-Arab sentiment a lot worse, and it made obvious the problematic writing of an Oxford don existing safely within the walls of the British Empire at her zenith.
Still, I found myself caught up in the magic, in the sheer scope of the ever-expanding world Lewis built. Even when the metaphors hit you over the head, even when the pacing is uneven, there’s something about these books — some mix of whimsy, sincerity, heart, and adventure — that draws readers back, generation after generation.
I’ve read the books in publication order before. This time I went for in-world chronology, and it’s apparent that The Magician’s Nephew is not a strong start to the series, as fun as the story is. As a starting point for the world, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is the quintessential Narnia book for a reason – the highs and lows are epic, the enemy looms, and the heroes are authentic and full of heart. The backdrop of the second World War is apparent throughout, and the in-world nostalgia lends a sparkle over the whole story. The wonder of Lucy’s first steps into Narnia and the cozy charm of Mr. Tumnus’ home are hard to beat.
Prince Caspian and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader are fun for being some of our first repeats with characters and through-lines within Narnia itself. Despite being one of the worst offenders in terms of blatant Orientalism, The Horse and His Boy will always have a special place in my heart as a pure adventure story, moving from Calormen to Archenland. It’s fun to experience Narnia during the reign of the Pevensies. Much like Dawn Treader, The Silver Chair expands the world around Narnia, giving us Marshwiggles and Bism. It has a heavy atmosphere that leads well into the final, most apocalyptic book, The Last Battle, where finally Narnia ends. Listening to each book (about five hours long each, and available on Libby) does make it obvious that C.S. Lewis had an agenda, but all fairy tales can give us morals if we’re looking.
Do these books still work? Yes and no. There’s plenty to critique, but the sense of wonder remains. If nothing else, rereading them made me realize how much childhood nostalgia smooths over the flaws of beloved books. But maybe that’s what revisiting old favorites is for — seeing them clearly, appreciating what they gave us, and questioning what they left out.
Sahana is the Communications Strategist at HCLS. They enjoy adding books to their “want to read” list despite having a mountain of books waiting for them already.
CHAPTER CHATS 