carstairs38's Full Review: C. S. Lewis - Prince Caspian: The Return to Narnia
The Chronicles of Narnia are a series of seven novels written for kids of all ages. On the surface, they are fantasy stories about children from our world who are magically transported to another realm with talking animals and mythological creatures. However, the books also work as Christian allegories since they were written 50 years ago by the great Christian apologist C. S. Lewis.
I'll admit right up front, this has never been my favorite of the Narnia books. It's much slower then the others and just doesn't have the sense of magic of the others.
Of course, the biggest debate is where in the series this book belongs. Written second, it is fourth chronologically. Frankly, the books can be read in any order, but it does help to read The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe first.
Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy, the heroes of that book, are awaiting the train that will take them to separate boarding schools when they are suddenly, and magically, pulled out of the station. They find themselves on an island that has been overgrown. Exploring further, they discover the remains of an old castle they lived in during their last adventure. They're back in Narnia years ahead of when they last left. When a dwarf appears, he begins to tell them the tale of the true king and the battle he is having in claiming his crown. Will the children be able to help? And will Aslan, the lion and the creator of Narnia, appear to help as well?
I first read these books in third grade, and I struggle to get through this story. Today, I find it to still be my least favorite of the series. The book starts slowly since we know what's going on before the children do. The background we and the kids need to understand the story is rather boring as well. The story picks up in the second half, but it's not quite enough to redeem the first.
Some of my original disappointment probably also comes from realizing that this was not the same Narnia we left. With the centuries that have passed between books, the four children and Aslan are the only returning characters. Still, it's good to see them again, and a trip to Narnia is always worth it.
The children have developed in the time between books, especially Edmund who has grown significantly. The new characters are certainly fun, and help erase the disappointment of not seeing old friends from the first. You just have to love Reepicheep the Mouse and Trumpkin the Dwarf.
Finally, there's the allegory. While some of the books have differing levels to the allegorical elements, this one had the weakest of all.
While not a bad read, don't judge the entire series by this book. It is an important background to the next two books, so it is worth a read even if it's not quite as fun as the others.
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