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The real and the fictional chronology

PostPosted: May 19th, 2007, 8:45 pm
by Reep

The Four Chronologies

PostPosted: June 9th, 2007, 2:22 am
by Reep
The Seven Chronicles contain four clear and distinct chronologies: two real and two fictional. The first and the most fundamental is the real chronology of their composition dates (1939; 1948-1954). It presents the chronicles as an organic growth and as a living development of the creative imagination of C.S. Lewis himself. The chronology of their publication (and copyright) then follows the first one by another two or three years (1950-1956) and maintains practically the same sequence.

During the writing process there was created a third, a fictional chronology. The stories were gradually placed into a frame of fictional English dates. "Everything began" in the summer of 1940; later the chronicles overflowed into 1941 and 1942. Then they reached out into 1949 and ultimately flowed all the way back into 1900, covering a total of 49 English years. Much later this period was multiplied by 52 and expanded into a 2555-year-long fictional Narnian calender. One date of which was now assigned to every one of the seven books - so creating their last, the fourth, fictional chronological sequence (0, 1000, 1014, 2303, 2306, 2356 and 2555).

Every order has its own advantages and disadvantages while books are read. But on the shelf I prefer to see them in the order they arrived into the real world. By their real birthday - which can be easily found by checking and comparing the first copyright date of any book.

So as not to be kept confused by the new official fictional numbering of the Chronicles I just typed their real chronology on a large self-adhesive label, cut out the dates, and then pasted them on their backs.

And discovered that the new official numbering now says - 2456317!


Image
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PostPosted: June 22nd, 2007, 10:55 pm
by carol
Reep, that's an interesting way to describe it all. It's the first time I've read it that way - did you write that or are you quoting from one of the commentaries?

Chronology and Numbering

PostPosted: June 25th, 2007, 1:09 am
by Reep

PostPosted: July 26th, 2007, 10:27 pm
by Danman
I WANNA JOIN THE CLUB!!! I about had a coniption fit when I saw the new publications a few years ago with the books all out of order... crimony, talk about taking the magic of discovery out of it for all the new fans and children... sheesh! Made me mad, what do they think they're doing? I could rant forever.

Where's the sign up? I've got the needle ready to prick my finger so I can sign in blood!

PostPosted: July 26th, 2007, 11:14 pm
by A#minor

PostPosted: July 27th, 2007, 12:59 am
by Danman

Re: The real and the fictional chronology

PostPosted: August 5th, 2007, 7:07 pm
by glumPuddle

PostPosted: August 5th, 2007, 7:12 pm
by john

PostPosted: August 5th, 2007, 7:13 pm
by Sven

PostPosted: August 5th, 2007, 8:12 pm
by john
rar!

PostPosted: August 7th, 2007, 7:09 am
by carol
I recently realised that the order is further upset by the backstory of Prince Caspian - the pirates who came from at least the 19th century, if not earlier, make PC even earlier than MN because the events in MN only start with Polly and Digory as children!!

PostPosted: August 7th, 2007, 12:05 pm
by Danman
Ok, was that an "oops" on Lewis' part? When do you think MN took place? Seems late 1800's to me considering the cabby and all. Maybe, just maybe there was time for the pirates to find the island, etc... and with Narnian time being different from our own. Hmm, that is a bit of a bugger.

PostPosted: August 7th, 2007, 1:06 pm
by Erekose

PostPosted: August 7th, 2007, 1:19 pm
by Danman