Into the Wardrobe

Is there a suggestion here that Americans need or prefer to be told what order to read a book series? I have often been looking for a list of books in the order of publication, (sometimes they are not printed in the inside or on the back of the book, so I have had to look in card or computer catalogues in a library, or online these days!) and it IS helpful to know if there was a chronological element that varies from the publication dates. [eg Anne McCaffrey's Dragonrider series spawned all sorts of stories that were set in a variety of times]

I think it's a good idea to try reading them both ways, and then decide what your preference is. As long as it is merely a preference and not a requirement there isn't any snobbery involved. I don't think any publisher would be willing to spend the money to print the set in two separate editions. It will probably be years before any other publisher gets the rights to their own set of the books. It's not like the very old classics such as Treasure Island or Great Expectations, where you have many editions of the book to choose from and no one has exclusive rights to it. Fortunately, the Harper Collins paperbacks are of much better quality than those Macmillan editions during the 1970's They are virtually the same on the inside as the hardcover. I think both of those sets would satisfy most Narnia lovers, who can still read them in the order that they wish. So now we have better paper and Pauline Baynes complete in paperback (and in color if you own that set), which we didn't have back then unless you purchased the more expensive hardcover. And the price isn't too bad either-- at under ten dollars a book.

Larry W.

Piemaster is new here, and thusfar unaware that jumping in new and accusing people of being snobs in your first post might be considered a bit rude.

Piemaster, those of us who prefer the original published order do not do so because we look down on you or others who prefer the chronological order. So there is no snobbery involved. We simply consider the original published order to be better in the overall arc of the Narnian chronicles.

To be honest, the most important thing is that LLW be read first. It is the best book at establishing the character of Aslan, the nature of Narnia, and the relationship between Narnia and "our world". My own opinion is that since Lewis believed the ideas from these books were given to him by the Holy Spirit, then it's best to let the first book the Spirit inspired be the first book read.

- Dan -

The wardrobe seems to be the best introduction to Narnia, and you can follow Lewis development of his concepts much if you begin with LWW. So while Magician's Nephew is a creation story in which one might think is where the beginning should be, it was actually written in reflection of the other books which preceded it. I think the Narnian historical order is secondary, while the development of Lewis Christian ideology seems more important as revealed in the publication order. So while the books can be read beneficially in both ways it is perhaps best to read them in publication order the first time.

Larry W.