Book Review

nThe Magician’s Nephew

Book Review by: Seth Meyer

This fantasy fiction book by C.S. Lewis is my favorite book of fiction because of the early childhood nostalgia it brings me. C.S. Lewis introduces us to the world of Narnia through a fast-moving plot that will never fall short of new elements of fantasy and new characters throughout. I think what sets this book apart from the other books in the series for me is the originality of it all. The fact that C.S. Lewis had the courage to introduce us to this crazy world called Narnia makes it a certain type of special.

Now let’s get into the plot. The book opens with Polly Plummer comforting a grubby boy named Digory Dirke. Polly and Digory become friends and stumble upon Digory’s uncle magician who has made special rings. There are two green rings and one yellow ring. They put the yellow ring on and find themselves in a wood with pools. They jump into a pool and travel to Narnia. They meet Jadis, an evil queen. Digory and Polly bring Jadis back to our world. Then they bring her back to her home in Narnia. Also, Digory is the professor in the book, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. 

Readers should check out this book for its lovable fantasy. If you are ever searching for something other than a boring samey-samey book, look out for The Magician’s Nephew if you want a book that won’t bore you and is never scared to step into the ridiculous. Another thing that I respect about this book is its parallels to the Christian religion. Aslan the lion represents Jesus, and there are many other references as well.

 I found the part where Digory and Polly find themselves in the woods with many several pools all around them. Just the way that C.S. Lewis describes that place makes me want to visit it and nap there for hours and hours. I also really love the part at the end where Digory and Polly meet Aslan and the other talking animals. At this place, Aslan tells the children that the world of Adam and Eve will be erased like the world of Charn. This is obviously a parallel towards Jesus coming and restoring a new Heaven and a New Earth.

An element that I really enjoyed was its element of being an outsider. Jadis was the most powerful person on her planet, but once here on earth becomes a crazy person. Furthermore, Digory and Polly have no place being in such a crazy place in Narnia. But once they get used to it they are able to fit in.

Another theme I can respect is its theme of just becoming a good person which I touch on a little more in the next paragraph. 

Through the eyes of a Christian we can see that Digory goes from a whiny little boy to a mature courageous man who finds a way to heal his mom and restore peace to Narnia. This is a great example of a transformation that God wants for us in our own lives. God wants us to mature and become a better person. Even more than that, God wants us to become a person who grows and matures in our faith. It is a very simple but just as important story of becoming a better person.