I know that there a many LOTR fans here, so I figured that there may be a few people whose hearts remember Narnia.

It looks like Harper Collins has gotten the rights to these 7 wonderful books, and are contemplating all sorts of devilish things to do to them!

Check out this story at:
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2001/125/32.0.html

Is this just over-worried Lewis fans freaking out? OR is it a real threat to literacy???

Don't ask me to give you a decent opinion. But i shall say this. I always liked lucy best for some reason even though she was ugly!

That's a pity, I enjoyed the Narnia chronicles... and I hope some sick dude won't spoil the story.

Wow. I'll have to dig those books out and read them again. Apparently when I was in grade school, I completely missed the fact that it was "Christian Oriented". I may have to put them out of my house! ;)

But seriously, if you read the article carefully, you'll see that the books are not going to be edited. "The works of C.S. Lewis will continue to be published by HarperCollins and Zondervan as written by the author, with no alteration."

So what's the fuss? The marketing campaign isn't going to focus on the religious aspect of the stories. So what? I can honestly say, that if it did, then I wouldn't buy the books for my kids. It only makes good sense for the publishers to seek the broadest consumer base, and by marketing the books as religious allegories, they would be severely limiting that base. Fortunately for my girls, I've already read them, and I'll see that they get their introductions as well. With or without the Christian parallels, the stories are wonderful.

This is a perfect example of how a simple premise can be twisted far beyond its original intent by extremists whose only interests are forwarding their own agendas.

There's my rant for the day. Take it for what it's worth. (Not worth the paper it's written on, I suppose. Doh!)

Happy, Mathetais? ;)

[This message has been edited by Darien Noella (edited July 07, 2001).]

As already stated I think the most important thing is the Lewis's work is not changed. I read the Narnia books as a youth and I also missed the Christian theme, but when I re-read them in high school it was rather clear that Lewis had a religious agenda. However, excepting that point Narnia is still an excellent series of books. I don't think it's quite LotR level but still the work of a master writer.

In regards to Darien's statement I feel the work should stand for itself. by this I mean if soceity changes and the novels fall out of favor some people will still read and enjoy them. But NEVER change the work of past authors to reflect the ideals fo the day. It is only from the perspective of the past that we can truely examine our current social environment.

Darien - I am VERY happy!!! :D :)

I did read the article carefully and noticed that line (so maybe I should have capitalized MAY be in trouble).

The "Christian" themes in the Narnia books are very subtle. In fact (as I think the artilce mentioned - or maybe I read it elsewhere) Lewis did not mean for these to be "Christian" books (like Pilgrim's Progress, etc. . .)

Lewis' idea was to write quality fiction with a few themes taken from the Bible (redemption, creation & eternity). And if you don't believe that the Bible is the "Word of God" most people can admit that it is an incredible collection of stories!!!

Please, read them to your children & grandchildren (if you are blessed to have them!)

Just please - don't write new books that turn Narnia into Greyhawk or the Forgotten Realms!

Voltric - great points!!!

As long as they don't start making high budget, slapstick movies based on the books, I'm happy.

I still cant see the christian theme in those books...lol

I also read them all as a little girl and i hope in turn that my little girl will read them :D

Lewis also wrote a book called "The Screwtape Letters." It's about the letters from a devil in Hell (named Screwtape) to his nephew who is in the process of tempting a man to Hell. The nephews letters are not in the book, but you can kind of figure out what he has written by Screwtape's replies. Real interesting stuff. They're also kind of funny is you have a morbid sense of humor.

Personally, I hated the narnia books, thought they were tedious and had a weak story.

Hmmmm, I'll have to look for some copies of these books. I remember having them read to me as a kid, and I enjoyed them very much. I do believe they were intended for a younger audience, so I thought they would be right up your alley Septic. ;)

Septic probably doesnt like anything unless it is depressing or full of violence.

lol...i liked to narnia books too. the first book was a bit confusing, the second book was fabulous, the third was ok, the fourth book was really cool, the fifth book was my FAVOURITE, the sixth book was not too bad, and the seventh book was crappy.

I loved those books when I was little. C.S. Lewis wrote lots of books about Christianity, so I can see his religion theme.

The Silver Chair was my favorite book. The Last Battle scared the crap out of me. (In 3rd grade)

I am a LOTR fan, and I can't wait for the movie to come out in December!

I loved them all up to the Silver Chair, which I never really finished because it really scared me when I was 8 years old and I haven't bothered to read it since then, though I have seen a reaaaally bad movie version of it. The Last Batle was the worst of the lot, C.S. Lewis must have run out of good ideas by then.

You still can't see the Christian theme, Kit? I thought for most Christians it was fairly apparent. Am I wrong, or are you religiously inclined otherwise (or perhaps not at all)?

i didn't notice any religiousness in the narnia books...

I don't want to ruin the books for anyone, but upon request I will describe a few key Christian themes that are in the series.

You tell me if you want me to put up or shut up! ;)

Let's hear them, Mathetais.

I'm listening... (mabye I missed some!) :cool:

Septic probably doesnt like anything unless it is depressing or full of violence.


Why depressing? :)

sorry to get such an old topic up from the bowels of this forum, but I just have to reply.

if you don't like or see the christian hints in this book part 7 is propably trash, but to me (as a christian) book 7 was the best of the whole lot! it made me almost cry when I was 11 and still gives me the shivvers!

but also the great divorce and the screwtape letters are very good!

well actually almost all his books are great!

i never read all the bk s when i was wee, but i think we did do 1 in class. I sm to always remember a lion jumping over a massive wall, but that mite just b me (wen im bored i make up my own stories in my head)

Well, since the creation of this topic a Narnia books subsection went up on SP, so here's a link for all of you not familiar with the books:

http://www.sorcerers.net/Books/index_lewis.htm

Yeah I've been getting many recommendations (esp from my brother) to read those books after I had finished LOTR. Everyone except our youth pastor who looks unfavourably upon Narnia (and LOTR for some reason). He even bashed heavy metal with Guns N' Roses in particular (!!!!), but not without reason.

Darn I'm deviating again! Please Math do speak on about those themes you mentioned. Sorry I made your nic sound related to algebra.

I remember when I was a kid I watched a bit of Narnia and how they went through the closet, ending up in some arctic place and one of the kids was with some evil queen who offered him Turkish delight (which I can't stand personally). Well I'm sorry I don't have the tape to that show but I have the tape to The Hobbit. Great story! I kept watching it as a kid.

I'll answer for Mathetais, if I may.

The books are excellent and fairly clearly Christian, at least to most people familiar with Christian beliefs. At no point does he actually refer directly to Christianity.

However, Aslan is a very clear version of Jesus. Aslan saves Narnia by by yielding up his life to the evil Witch and come back to life at a later date. That's also why he leaves and promises to return at a later date, leaving his the kids ot govern.

The Emperor Over Sea is God, the source of all that is good but who is never *physically* present. Rather, he sends Aslan or the human children to do what is necessary.

The children, of course, are the christians. They are tempted with good things in the here and now to overlook evil, etc.

The Last Battle is an amazing parable of the End of Days. The reign of Tash as "Tashlan", the defiance/treachery of the dwarves, the redemption of the human officer who had served Tash, the defeat of evil, and the restoration of the Earth as paradise.

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe are the two most obvious, but the others have a christian morality behind them if not quite so blatant a translation.

His sci fi books, the Perelandra series, are similiarly Christian themed.

[ September 21, 2002, 11:19: Message edited by: Vormaerin ]

I noticed the Christian themes in Narnia...actually, I noticed them after reading the Perelandra series, where the themes were not only present but downright BLATANT. Since that was when I was in 6th grade (I got promoted to the Middle School library, which had the books), I did my very best to ignore Lewis's allegories...now I think I just may go back to them, especially the sci-fi series. Christian symbolism may not be personal to me, but it's inclusion always makes things interesting.

Wow, its been awhile since I was on Booktalk ... sorry.

Vormaerin did a good job with the basic Christian themes. Lewis has both obvious (Aslan) and subtle Christian themes.

One of the ones I like is the Turkish Delight that seduces Edmund to follow the witch. Like most sins, it seems sooo wonderful at first, but as soon as your dig into it, it looses its delight and you only hope that by consuming more & more you might be able to get that delight back again.

There is a great line when Lucy was first about to encounter Aslan. She sees this huge lion and askes Mrs. Bever, "Is he tame?" Mrs. Bever replies, "No, he's wild and firce and never tame ... but he's good." Isn't Jesus like that? Good, but wild, Good, but firce!

Aslan breathing on the feet of the stone giant, exclaiming, "Once the feet are fixed, the rest falls into place" ... I know that once God gets me MOVING (not thinking/planning/hoping) in the right direction, things fall into place.

I could go on and on, but I hope you see my point.

The biggest reality Lewis teaches: LIFE IS SUPERNATURAL. There is a Narnia behind every wardrobe ... its called the Kingdom of God. We don't have to wait for it, it is real right now, just waiting for us to enter the adventure.

:good:

I must admit, I read the books many many seasons ago and can't remember them all exactly. Also, whilst reading the books I never picked up on the Christian themes as I was to young to have been aught about them, but looking back I can see the links.

The most stunning thing that stands out in my memory was how Aslan died... From what I can remember he died at the hand of the Evil Queen on a stone table, and the stone table broke... He was pinned the table by his paws with shards of rock and he was left to bleed... If it all happened the way I remember it then this is a direct relation to the death of 'Jesus.'

Of course, the table breaking in half could be construed in a number of ways, but the way I see it is as the curtain ripping in half in the temple.

Also, from what I remember the table joined together when Aslan rose again, what symbolism would this have?

I'm very sorry if any of the details are wrong, I read the books nine years ago.

Another thing, I seem to remember something that symbolised the spread of Christianity after the death of Aslan / Jesus but I can't remember exactly what. Would it happen to be the breaking up of the wardrobe and the planting of it in the garden? Or was the blossom tree already there?

Ah yes! The tree blossoming was the symbolism!

Herf.

Another good one from the book Prince Caspian.

Lucy had been away from Narnia for awhile and had gotten older. When she saw Aslan again, she was shocked because the lion was much larger. "Aslan! You've grown!" she exclaimed. "No little one," the lion responded, "You're the one who has grown."

The same goes with us. The older in our faith we become, the bigger we realize that God is!

Let them not touch a word. Copyright frenzy has gone too far. They bought the copyright and they think they thus have the right to rewrite the book?