The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1950) by C.S. Lewis is the beloved first-published (and second chronological) entry in The Chronicles of Narnia, a timeless allegorical fantasy that has captivated generations. During World War II, the Pevensie siblings—Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy— are evacuated to the English countryside, where they discover a magical wardrobe serving as a portal to Narnia, a frozen kingdom enslaved by the White Witch, Jadis.
Lewis’s luminous storytelling blends mythic grandeur with cozy charm:
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Lucy’s innocent friendship with the faun Mr. Tumnus introduces Narnia’s wonder.
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Edmund’s betrayal (for Turkish Delight) and redemption anchor the novel’s Christian parallels (Aslan’s sacrifice mirrors Christ’s).
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The thawing of winter and Aslan’s resurrection climax in a triumphant battle, crowning the children as Narnia’s kings and queens.
A masterpiece of children’s literature, the novel explores faith, courage, and the struggle between good and evil through a lens of talking beasts, epic prophecies, and enchanted landscapes.