As Lewis scholar Peter Schakel points out, the notes' description of Jadis and the Queen of Underland (the main antagonist of The Silver Chair) 'states incorrectly that the Queen of Underland is an embodiment of Jadis'. Some recent editions of the books include brief notes, added by later editors, that describe the cast of characters. She is commonly referred to as the White Witch in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, as she is the Witch who froze Narnia in the Hundred Years Winter. Lewis's series, The Chronicles of Narnia. Jadis is the main antagonist of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1950) and The Magician's Nephew (1955) in C.

Ultimately, read them in whatever order speaks to you but I would argue that publication order is best.White Witch (by Maurice Harron (2016), CS Lewis Square, Belfast). In fact, the Narnia chronicles are one of the most impactful reading experiences of my life and one of the motivations that drove me to major in English literature. It made me realize what literature could achieve and the power of non-linear narratives. On a personal note, when I first read them (in publication order) there were parts of the later books that connected back to the earlier ones in ways that delighted my young brain.

Additionally, there are passages in The Magician’s Nephew that allude to the reader already being familiar with Aslan, which they would not be if they read that book first. While Lewis responded in agreement with the boy, most scholars tend to think that he was simply being kind to a young fan. The argument for chronological order stems from a letter that Lewis responded to from a fan asking about reading order and suggesting that chronological perhaps was best. The series was reprinted during his lifetime so if he wanted it changed he had ample opportunity, yet chose to keep it in the original publication order. This lays out the story in the order that Lewis intended. While ultimately the reading order doesn’t matter (just read them!) I believe publication order is the best. How did you read the Narnia books? Have you read them in multiple orders? I need to know the best order for a Narnia newbie.Īpologies for resurrecting such an old thread but anytime I see this subject come up I have to chime in. I’ve read compelling arguments for all three orders… but I still have no idea! I mean, I’m kind of leaning most towards the publication order, but I don’t know if it’s the best!! Plus, the Barnes and Noble leatherbound classic (from Kimberly!!) has them in chronological order.

What on Earth am I supposed to do? This is worse than the Star Wars movies. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (1950) There’s the supposed chronological order:ġ. There’s the order in which they were written: I’m about to begin this series for the first time ever, and I have seen the controversy over what order to read the books in.

The chronicles of narnia book 1