• Wed. Oct 9th, 2024

The Silver Chair by CS Lewis

ByPam

I’ll admit that lately I’ve rediscovered my love of all things Narnia.  I’ve watched the movies countless times and have taken to rereading the series.  As I make my way through the series, I noticed several things: #1 that I don’t remember getting past The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe as a child and #2 that depending on who you talk to, the books are numbered differently, which bothers me. The edition of The Silver Chair that I have (which was purchased at a thrift store, incidentally) is labeled as Book 4 (out of 7) in the series.  Other editions list it as Book 5. But that, as they say, is another blog post, right?

But anyway, I enjoyed the Silver Chair, probably more than The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, mostly because I found the Dawn Treader’s adventures rather odd with the invisible hopping creatures.  The Silver Chair’s escapades, however, I found to be less fantastic although I’m not sure why. I think it’s because we are reunited with Caspian who was in two previous stories.

The Silver Chair reunites us with Eustace and a new friend, Jill as they embark on their journey as dictated by Aslan the Lion.  I think one of the main reasons I neglected to finish the series when I was younger is that I found it too preachy.  I have no problem with stories that teach a lesson but this sort of underlying end of day’s salvation lesson can be off-putting at times.  If I were, however, studying it for its religious overtones, I think it would make a great study.

I am, of course, disappointed that there is no multicultural value to this series.  To be sure, one of the main characters is a girl, but she is neither of an ethnic descent nor provides any other diverse qualities.  I assume this is because of the period in which it was written.

I give this book 2 paws but feel like I should give it more because it is considered a classic.  I just wish it were more ethnically diverse.

Have you read it? What are your thoughts about it or the series or CS Lewis?