Bringing Narnia Home by Devin Brown
Nonfiction. 144 Pages. 5 Stars
Synopsis:
The wisdom of C. S. Lewis comes in a form that is deeply moving as well as great fun and high adventure. Noted Lewis scholar and popular speaker Devin Brown reveals the lessons woven throughout this endearing text. Bringing Narnia Home presents Lewis’s timeless message for the Narnian in each of us. Imagine opening a book and finding chapters like Of Mice and Actions We See as Small and Insignificant Can Be More Important than We Realize Despite What White Witches, Tisrocs, and Other Tyrants Think Narnia Would Not Be Narnia if It Was All It Takes a Village (One with Giants, Dwarfs, and Everyone in Between) to Make a Community Adventures Can Begin in the Most Unlikely Places (Something to Keep in Mind the Next Time You Find Yourself in an Unlikely Place).
A wise, winsome, and whimsical look at the important values and lessons the Narnia series teaches that actually provide the groundwork for a profound and meaningful life.
My Review:
I have a feeling this is going to be my top nonfiction read of the year. This little book strikes the perfect balance.
I’ve read three of Brown’s books previously, his in depth looks at The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Prince Caspian, and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Each were phenomenal, thought provoking analyses of the Narnian books. Though this little volume doesn’t focus on a single book in the series, it packs a surprising little punch.
Bringing Narnia Home pulls from all seven of the Chronicles of Narnia stories to present 15 heartfelt lessons that encourage us to learn from and apply the magic of Narnia to our own lives. One of my favorite parts of the Narnian stories is how they make reality even more magical. They touch real parts of our lives and make us better for having read them. This little semi-devotional style book hones in on that magic and makes it even easier to find beauty in the Narnian stories that we can bring into our everyday lives.
Each of the lessons states an explicit, though oh-so-Narnian truth, and expands with three examples from various Narnian stories. It then ends with a brief summary of “Bringing Narnia Home” for application and three discussion/reflection questions to help the reader dwell on the truth in their own experience.
I love the simple yet effective organization of the book, and would definitely read this one again. I read one lesson a day for easy digestion and to spend time soaking it in, pondering on it, etc.
Reading the snippets Brown uses as his illustrations drew up the memories, emotions, and heart of the classic books. It absolutely made me want to reread the whole series of Lewis’s books. Brown challenges us to carry the nobility, grace, and forgiveness of Lewis’s heroes, to exhibit the valor, sacrifice, and integrity. He challenges us to learn and grow and be better. And that is the real magic of stories like Lewis’s.
Most highly recommended! But only if you’ve read the whole series first. There are definitely spoilers from the series. But it’s so worth it!