I've started reading the Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. Problem is, there are seven books and I don't know where to start! One opinion is to read them in standard chronological order, from "The Magicians Nephew" to "The Final Battle". Another opinion is you have to read it in the order in which C.S. Lewis wrote them, starting with the "Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe". I need some advice on how to proceed with this. How should I read them and most importantly, does it really matter what order I read them in?

It doesn't really matter in what order you read them. I went chronologically, but whichever way works for these books. Man! I had forgotten about those books....I read them in Elementary school I think .

I remember those. I have the books but I have never gotten around to reading them.

Originally posted by Brian
I remember those. I have the books but I have never gotten around to reading them.

My set has been sitting in my bookcase for years! I never intended on reading them. Somehow, my mind-set has changed. I'm really enthusiastic about starting them now!


I've already started "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" at my aunt's urging., So, if it doesn't matter, I'll just read it by release date. I just don't want to get myself totally lost!

OMG!!! I remember those books!! My 4th teacher read all of those to us and then we watched the movies...i loved them. He was my favorite teacher of all time.

It's best to start with "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe", because it is the first. The ones that follow are:

The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe
Prince Caspian
The Voyage of the "Dawn Treader"
The Silver Chair
A Horse and His Boy
The Magician's Nephew
The Last Battle

The Chronicles of Narnia are a sort of Christian allegory, btw.

I've only read Prince Caspian and the Magician's Nephew, but I watched a PBS special on LW&W.

I've read the first three and am on book four The Silver Chair... I read them in the order that he wrote them.

Originally posted by Max Whittaker
I've already started "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" at my aunt's urging., So, if it doesn't matter, I'll just read it by release date. I just don't want to get myself totally lost!

Good for you! :) That's the one to start with :wave:

They were my favorite series when I was a kid (that and the Oz books) I've read all of the Narnia books at least three times. CS Lewis wrote "The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe" first --- and that's definately the one you should start with. The reason "The Magician's Nephew" is sometimes listed first is because chronologically, the story does take place first. Still, I think it's awful to start with that book. Speaking from the standpoint of one who read them in the RIGHT order ;) it's so much cooler to start with "Lion" then read "Magician" because it explains so much more (the other way it'll just sound vague and confusing). Kinda like watching Star Wars: Phantom Menace and then watching A New Hope. Don't do it :) My favorite Narnia book is "The Horse and His Boy" with "Magician's Nephew" a close second. I love them all :D

I also recommend the miniseries that came out in the early 90s from Wonderworks - they follow the books very closely and are really well done. They only did the first four books though :(

i read them in chronilogical order. great books good times

i have the full set of her books
i have also got the lion the witch and the wardrobe on video:)
http://i16.ebayimg.com/03/i/00/b2/b9/6c_1.JPG

Yes! I love those books! I got the complete series last Christmas myself.
Like Captain ABlairica said, theyare a Christian allegory, but you don't feel like you've been beaten over the head repeatedly with that theme {unlike a lot of stuff I've read...}. The series can still read as great fantasy that just happens to have Christian elements to it.
Enjoy!

Originally posted by .simpson_10.
i have the full set of her books
i have also got the lion the witch and the wardrobe on video:)

Have you seen the other adaptations? I've got them all :D I believe they were all just released on DVD :)