Review:
Yay! I've finished the first book of The Chronicles of Narnia!Actually, I own all the books in this giant beautifully illustrated volume, but since getting through all of it will take time, I decided to post my opinion after each book.
I have been planning to read The Chronicles of Narnia ever since the first film came out and I came across this volume for a ridiculously low price on Amazon at the same time, but I've been postponing reading it for the sheer weight and thickness of it being quite daunting.
Also, the only way to read it is for it to lie on a desk or a bed and I like to walk around the apartment while reading, stretching my legs during breaks between working on computer. Hence, I have started reading it a few times before but never got more than a few pages in. But now I have conquered it and read at least one book!
Anyway, to the book. The Magician's Nephew is a compelling introduction to The Chronicles of Narnia, giving the reader the insight into how travelling between worlds was discovered and the foundation of Narnia.
As a Tolkien buff, knowing of the close friendship between Lewis and Tolkien, I was on a special lookout for the similarities that I know there exist between their works. And, look, Narnia was created by Aslan's song, just like Ea was created by the song of the Ainur.
The characters of Polly and Diggory grew on me instantly, and I loved finding out the origin of the wardrobe and the reason for Narnia's affinity for being ruled by sons of Adam and daughters of Eve.
I loved the story-telling feel of the book with the narrator talking to the reader, which is pleasant both for the intended young audience as well as for an adult reader.
Overall, the first book of The Chronicles makes for a great start, and I am looking forward to reading the rest of them.
