The Last Battle

[Mavramorn]

When I had read all the other Narnia books (some more than once) I was still reluctant to read The Last Battle because I was afraid to read about Narnia's destruction. When I finally got the courage to read it I found it absolutely amazing. I was impressed by the way hope was kept up that this book would end in the same way as the others, that things would go back to normal, while all along I knew deep down that things would never be the same again. The tension between these two aspects kept up in this book is amazing and heartbreaking. I loved the way Lewis mercilessly 'unravelled' different aspects of Narnia in this book, so much so it left me dizzy with bitter surprise. I read this book for the first time when I was fourteen.

"The worst thing in the world has come upon us."

"We have lived too long."

"If we had died before this day we should have been happy."

"For a moment terrible thoughts arose in his heart."

[Messenger_of_Eden]

[Sarah N.]

Of course The Last Battle is sad, but it also so full of joy at the end, that I can't help but smile. It is wonderful to see all the children together with Digory and Polly, and to watch their joy as they see the true Narnia for what it is. One of my favorite little stories in all of Narnia is the story of Emeth and the hope that it offers. I cling to the story of Emeth, even more now that I have many friends on the internet who are of widely differing religious beliefs.

[MKnProud]

I have a similar reaction to Last Battle; I don't want it to end, ever. I have read the Chronicles at least once a year since I was introduced to them in the 4th grade and each time, I finish smiling through tears. While the Lord of the Rings books, much as I love them, tend to depress me for a few days after I finish them, Last Battle gives me a hope a joy that actually re-energize me. I think it's in the differing views of 'heaven.' LOTR has the characters separated in death; beloved friends or families spilt forever after death. In Narnia, however, it's the opposite. Once the Friends have come safe into Aslan's Country, they see beloved friends they lost ages ago and not only that, their parents are there as well. They even get to have both Narnia AND England, since they're both on the mountain range. As an MK, that has always touched me deeply- the hope, the dream, that someday all goodbyes will be over and all those I've loved will be with me; I won't have to miss one dear person to be with another. I love Jewel's statement that "I have come home at last! This is my real country! I belong here. This is the land I have been looking for all my life, though I never knew it till now." That chokes me up every single time.

[Stanley Anderson]

[Sven]

Well said, Stanley!

[A#minor]

I seldom read Last Battle when I re-read the Chronicles every summer.
It's just too sad, and I know I'll bawl all through it. Tirian is so desperate and hopeless through much of the book.
I am glad that it ends on a positive note though. It's so fun to see Reepicheep and the others in a Narnian heaven at the end.

[Mavramorn]

Hey thanks for the replies. I agree that the ending is without any doubt a good one; however I don't think I'm alone in feeling loss for the 'shadow' Narnia, because however you look at it, at least that part has been lost forever. I don't know about anyone else, but I prefer the 'original' Narnia, but that is because I can't imagine the 'true' one (can't see really how good it is).

As a matter of interest, who thinks Narnia was 'meant' to end before the beginning of the events in the books? Or who thinks the actual events are what lead to its end - that it might at some point have been averted? Personally I think the latter - but what do you think might have been the 'point of no return'?

[Messenger_of_Eden]

[Stanley Anderson]

[Messenger_of_Eden]

*Ahem*, I was talking about Narnia and the books, specifically

[Mavramorn]

[Shadowland Dweller]

[Messenger_of_Eden]

[King Edmund]

Me on the other end. I hate endings. It means no more books after that.