 |
| (Amazon UK link) |
I’m very surprised to find that I hadn’t read the next book in the series, Prince Caspian, for at least twenty-eight years. This is the book that should be read second, if you haven’t previously read the series (or if you’re reading it aloud to a child). It starts with the four Pevensie children: Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy. They are at a railway station, on their way back to their boarding schools after a holiday. It’s been a year since they returned from Narnia, and their experiences as kings and queens is becoming somewhat dreamlike.
Then suddenly they all experience a sharp tug… and find themselves in a wood. They quickly realise that they’re in Narnia. But even when they emerge from the trees, they’re not entirely sure where they are. And when they come across a ruined castle that seems somewhat familiar, they become very puzzled until they realise what’s going on.
All they have to eat is two of the packed lunches they were taking to their schools, and a lot of apples. And then, as they’re exploring, they see a dwarf in a boat with two assassins. They manage to rescue him, and he starts to tell his story.
It’s hard to say much without giving spoilers. The dwarf’s story takes place over several chapters, and is told more as a flashback than a conversation (as the author explains) so that it fills in the story of what has been happening. Narnia was overrun by the men of Telmarine, some of whom were good, and some bad. And at present the heir to the throne - Prince Caspian - is in serious danger. It becomes clear that the four children have been called into Narnia to help him, but they have little idea what they can do…
I had somehow recalled this book as having a lot of battles in it, so was surprised to find that this really isn’t the case. Perhaps I was remembering the film version of Prince Caspian, which had a lot of fighting in it, most of which I found rather tedious. I wasn’t expecting to enjoy the book, and was reading it for the sake of continuity and completion. But I liked it very much.
There’s a strong sense of good vs evil, as in all the Narnia books. CS Lewis was a Christian, and while these books are not overtly Christian, there are many allegorical elements. Aslan the lion is a figure of Jesus, and the events from ‘The lion, the witch and the wardrobe’ are referred to more than once. But most of the story is about people - whether human, dwarfs, talking animals or other creatures of Narnia - and their choices.
Caspian is good, and has always been interested in how Narnia used to be. His uncle, Miraz, who calls himself king, is power-hungry, violent and deceitful. Caspian has friends in his palace - first his old nurse, who has told him stories of old Narnia, and then his tutor, Captain Cornelius, who is more circumspect and only discusses these things in secret. Captain Cornelius saves Caspian’s life when he urges him to escape, and sends him off into the unknown.
It’s not just about good and bad choices, although there are many. It’s also about faith and trust. Some of the dwarfs - including good ones - really don’t believe in Aslan, or in lions at all. And when Lucy sees Aslan and is sure she knows what he’s asking of her, her siblings have to decide whether or not to believe her.
It’s a children’s book, so inevitably it ends in a positive way, even if the Pevensies end up back at the railway en route to their schools. But there is some violence in it, although nothing gratuitous, but it might be disturbing for a sensitive child. However, to those who like adventures, it’s an excellent story. It’s very well-written and makes a great sequel to ‘The lion, the witch and the wardrobe’.
Recommended.
Review copyright 2025 Sue's Book Reviews
No comments:
Post a Comment