The Chronicles of Narnia (Box Set) Hardcover – July 22, 2025

Sometimes classics get a bad rap for being "boring' and 'hard to follow' but that was anything but true for this fantasy book! I was amazed at how there was such a wide variety of fantastical elements throughout the series. medievle times, bits of romance, talking creatures, and overall good morals and Christian elements to the books. The scenes were well written, characters were relatable and felt real. There was never a dull moment throughout the books. From the moment they enter the wardrobe and stumble across Narnia, your hooked, you can't put the books down and your sleep schedule is suffering greatly because of your, "Just one more chapter" mindset. This book is great for all ages, and makes a great read-aloud as well as a personal novel. Now quit reading this review and at this series to your TBR!

In my new book, PASSPORT TO NARNIA: A NEWCOMER'S GUIDE, I try to put to rest the controversy about the order in which the books should be read, and for good reason: Lewis himself did not write these books as an interlocking whole, as did Tolkien (THE LORD OF THE RINGS) and J.K. Rowling (the Harry Potter novels). Lewis wrote that he wrote the books as they occurred to him, which is why he himself had no preference in which the books SHOULD be read. My contention is that the important thing is to READ these novels, not worry about the reading order. Besides, HarperCollins, his publisher, has made a decision to publish the books with THE MAGICIAN'S NEPHEW first, followed by THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE because, as is stated on the copyright page of the one volume hardback & paperback editions, "Although THE MAGICIAN'S NEPHEW was written several years after C.S. Lewis first began THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA, he wanted it to be read as the first book in the series. HarperCollins is happy to present these books in the order in which Professor Lewis preferred.Regarding the seven novels themselves and their readability: Great books come from great writers who can not only are outstanding storytellers but also offer more than mere diversion: Lewis, a celebrated scholar, teacher, writer, and popularizer of the Christian faith, was a literary giant; and when we read the Chronicles of Narnia, we see the world filtered through his worldview. The books and the writer are in this case inseparable; the books come from the writer and are deep expressions of his humanity, his views on courage and sacrifice and honor, which are at the heart of these seven novels. Having sold 85 million copies since 1950 (when the first book in the series was published), you can rest assured that the books have stood the test of time, entertaining and illuminating five generations of readers.The only complaint I have about this boxed set is that the production values are mismatched: the covers are gorgeously printed, but the interiors use very cheap pulp paper, with blotty ink printing that obscures not only the text but the wonderful Pauline Baynes artwork. Since mass market paperbacks are routinely printed on pulp paper, the problem here seems to be the presswork: The over-inking of these pages obscures the printing of the text and obliterates the artwork. Since the one volume editions are issued from the same publisher, with readable text and no glaring deficiencies in the presswork, I hope that the publisher takes the time to correct what is otherwise a handsome, affordable, boxed edition.A few comments about the forthcoming movie: the trailer looks wonderful and captures the sense of wonder that is Narnia. Early reviews are positive and, from all indications, Disney Pictures has a winner of a film and the beginnings of a major, new franchise. To my mind, the best thing about the movie is that it will prompt a certain number of people to go into the bookstores and look for the principal texts; I came to the Narnia books late in life, but reading them did what good fiction is supposed to do: Those books took me out of this world and into C.S. Lewis's wonderful and enchanting world of Narnia, and isn't THAT what superb storytelling is all about?Bottom line: Despite my reservations about the printing of the interiors of these books, this is the edition of choice because of its price and portability. If you haven't read these books, now is the time to start: After December 9, when the film is released, everyone will be rushing to the bookstore to see what is next.I look forward to the film release and also look forward to re-reading the Chronicles of Narnia again, just as soon as I finish re-reading Tolkien's THE LORD OF THE RINGS from cover to cover (including the appendices).

A set for the grandchildren. This is one of the great book series! Narnia story is enchanting, encouraging.

Loved this series since I was youngWanted to read again and to have it available for my children to readI would recommend to others who'd enjoy a good tale

It was great fun to have all the books together in order and "read" them again, in this case hearing them read on audio. The overarching theme becomes more obvious, agree or disagree or simply enjoy as I do.

Great morals woven throughout the series, but subtle enough to not be burdensome. Terrific writing with enough room for a child's imagination. I have loved this series for so long, and am waiting for my grandchildren to be old enough to understand them.

Read these books as a child. I wanted my niece to experience them too. It is a great box set.

Good reading