The Way Into Narnia: A Reader's Guide

Submitted by Reviewer (not verified) on Saturday, November 12, 2005 - 23:37

History & Criticism

Peter J. Schakel: The Way Into Narnia

Author	Peter J. Schakel
Made	Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
Date	2005-07-15
Media	Paperback
Catalog	Book
Sales Rank	60198
Availability	Usually ships in 24 hours
List Price	US$15.00
Our Price*	US$13.50

*Price subject to change

Amazon.com US$13.50

Amazon Canada CDN$14.43

Amazon UK £7.99

Reviews:

Rating 5.0/5 from 3 reviews

One of the best Narnia commentaries

Rating: 5/5 (6 out of 6 think this is helpful) 2006-01-08

Having read the Chronicles of Narnia in excess of 25 times, I was amazed that Peter Schakel's _The Way Into Narnia_ inspired me to read them yet again. For many years I have read these books with my students in the order in which they were originally published because nothing thrills me more than hearing a child exclaim, "so THAT'S how the lampost got there!" This is a sentiment that readers are cheated of if they read them chronologically. Schakel makes this point in his book, along with several other, more scholarly reasons that I had not considered.
He also compares the versions of the books and supplies the reader with Lewis's alternate ending of the Voyage of the Dawn Treader.
Another plus is the "glossary" of archaic and British terms so often used by Lewis in the Chronicles.
_The Way Into Narnia_ is well written, readable in its own right, and is suitible for the first time reader and the Lewis scholar alike. A must read for any lover of Narnia.

The Way Into Narnia-A "Must" for all Narnia travelers and adventurers

Rating: 5/5 (8 out of 8 think this is helpful) 2005-11-06

Peter J. Schakel's "The Way Into Narnia: A Reader's Guide" is a fascinating, in-depth look into the beautiful realm of C. S. Lewis's land of Narnia. In each chapter Schakel develops and shapes the key underlying ideas that are hidden just under the surface of all seven of the Chronicles. Schakel's "Guide" is a great companion to use while reading the Narnia series. Not only is Schakel's approach intelligent and enlightening, but it is also fun and very user/reader-friendly. "The Way Into Narnia" is a treasure...I only wish I had it when I was reading Lewis's series the first time! Perfect for anyone wanting to learn what lies beneath the surface and have a clearer understanding of why Lewis wrote the Chronicles of Narnia. Also quite helpful are the annotations and the chapter discussing the order of the series.

A guide written especially for first-time readers of Lewis' beloved classics of children's literature

Rating: 5/5 (7 out of 7 think this is helpful) 2005-10-06

Professor of English and internationally respected student of C.S. Lewis' work Peter Schakel presents The Way Into Narnia, a guide written especially for first-time readers of Lewis' beloved classics of children's literature. Suggesting that the best way to enter Narnia is to read the Chronicles of Narnia as fairy tales, The Way Into Narnia walks the reader through each of the seven books and concludes the tour with a section of annotations meant to clarify unfamiliar words and unusual written passages. Especially recommended for lay readers and beginning literature scholars seeking greater familiarity with the series, The Way Into Narnia is a highly recommended supplement for getting the most out of Lewis' immortal stories.

Editorials:

Product Description

With a new film version of "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" due to be released later this year and more films on their way, C. S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia are back in the public eye. How did a middle-aged professor with no children write books that have become cherished classics of children's literature? And why have they remained so popular? "The Way into Narnia" is the perfect companion for first-time visitors to Narnia, while full of fresh insights for those who have already traveled there often.

Exploring ideas from "On Fairy-Stories," the influential essay by Lewis's friend J. R. R. Tolkien, veteran Lewis scholar Peter Schakel suggests that the best way to enter Narnia is to read the Chronicles as fairy tales. Taking a chapter for each of the Chronicles, he walks readers through the works, concluding the tour with a unique and practical section of notes on all seven volumes. These annotations clarify unfamiliar words, pick out allusions, highlight significant details, and offer interpretive comments on problematic passages.

This is the practical companion you will need for your next journey through the Chronicles of Narnia.

[ latest article | « Hamster Highlight | The Beginning » | 55 reads ]