Prince Caspian by C. S. Lewis

Classic Children’s. 223 Pages. 5 Stars

Synopsis: 

The four Pevensies help Caspian battle Miraz and ascend his rightful throne.

Narnia… the land between the lamp-post and the castle of Cair Paravel, where animals talk, where magical things happen… and where adventure begins.

Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy are returning to boarding school when they are summoned from the dreary train station (by Susan’s own magic horn) to return to the land of Narnia—the land where they had ruled as kings and queens and where their help is desperately needed. 

My Review:

Every time I read this book, I almost cry. And then I argue with myself about which book is my favorite in the series. I ought to just give it up for lost since I truly can’t decide.

I love how the story of this one is told along two lines: one following the beloved Pevensie’s and one the boy Caspian. One falls into old adventures that make my heart ache and eyes water, times past of glory and truth, virtue and honor. And another falls into new adventures of a wild and noble world not-quite forgotten to restore the rightful citizens to their home and rule in peace once more.

There’s also dichotomy between the Pevensies as some repeat the mistakes of the past and others choose not to do so. One of my all time favorite bits is the Pevensies challenging Trumpkin and the poor DLF learning his lesson! Anyone who knows me knows each Pevensie holds a particular piece of my heart. Lucy the nostalgic corner. Susan the fractured bit. Edmund the just and grace-obsessed part of me. And Peter. Dear Peter. He has long been a favorite for his nobility and leadership. (And, y’all don’t even get me started on the movie. SO much potential!! WASTED!) Each of the four works so beautifully together and tugs on different emotions. I love how the story calls back to the first book and builds on what happened and who these amazing characters are. Lewis truly told a story more than made one up.

And boy does he know how to tell a heart-wrenching one! From Caspian’s midnight flight to the edgy black dwarves that keep you on the end of your seat. The characters are dynamic, and the emotions raw throughout the whole story. Aslan’s mysterious ways, the dormant dryads and naiads, the family dynamics. All of it! Seeing Cair Paravel as the children first re-enter Narnia just tears at my heart in ways I can’t even explain! And then that ending! (As much as I bristle at the movie–I’m a glutton for pain–that soundtrack was genius.) The whole story is just so darn bittersweet!!!

Every time I read this book, I feel as if I could step into Narnia and never leave. Lewis left us with a series of masterpieces, one that has changed my life. I love returning to this world and have never regretted reading the books. It seems that no matter at what stage I am in life, these stories hold some new nugget of goodness for me to swallow up. I’ve said it a million times and I’ll say it again, Lewis was a profoundly clever man. He wrote stories that were simultaneously targeted at children and adults. I don’t know how he pulled it off, but he did and I am ever so grateful. Excellent story, thrilling world, endearing characters, and adventurous plot!

More: 

*Note: The below list is in chronological order, not publication order!

Book 1 in The Chronicles of Narnia is The Magician’s Nephew (5 Stars)

Book 2 is The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (5 Stars)

Book 3 is The Horse and His Boy (4 Stars)

Book 5 is The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (4 Stars)

Book 6 is The Silver Chair (4 Stars)

Book 7 is The Last Battle (5 Stars)

I have reviewed each of the above on Goodreads. Follow the links to find more info on the books and then scroll down to see the reviews. Mine is among them.

Although these stories are each independent of one another, I would recommend reading them in order, at least once. It adds a new element to the stories, I think. 

On GraceBought

Check out my thoughts on the first book here!

The Magician’s Nephew