Paul F. Ford’s Companion to Narnia, illustrated by Lorinda Bryan Cauley, is the definitive encyclopedia for readers journeying through C.S. Lewis‘s Chronicles of Narnia. Structured as a comprehensive A-to-Z guide, it provides clear, insightful entries on every character, creature, place, object, and concept, from Aslan and Cair Paravel to “Deep Magic” and the “Wood between the Worlds.”
Ford’s meticulous scholarship illuminates the literary, mythological, and theological layers woven into the stories, thoughtfully exploring their Christian symbolism without reducing them to simple allegory. Cauley’s delicate, evocative pencil illustrations, sprinkled throughout, capture the wonder and detail of Narnia, visually enriching the guide and serving as a charming homage to Pauline Baynes’s original art. The volume cross-references entries and includes maps, timelines, and reading plans, making it an indispensable resource for both first-time visitors and lifelong scholars. This Companion invites readers to explore Narnia’s enduring landscape with deeper understanding and renewed delight, celebrating the series as both profound spiritual metaphor and magnificent fantasy. of all ages who wish to deepen their understanding and enhance their journeys through the wardrobe into Narnia’s enduring landscape.
