Author: C.S. Lewis
First Published: 1955
Pages: 199
Genre: Fantasy, Coming of age
C.S Lewis became a household name with The Chronicles of Narnia yet The Magician’s Nephew was not the first book published in the series. It was not until years later that it would be published as a prequel, an origin for the lands of Narnia and how they came to be. Some diehard fans of the series argue that it shouldn’t be read first, but it is inconsequential when you read it in the series. It won’t spoil any stories; it merely seeks to add some context to some notable characters and places within the series story arc.
The Magician’s Nephew introduces you to a rather noteworthy but later under sung* character of the series, Digory, who I am sure you will recognise when you get to the opus magnus* of the series: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. In this book, Digory is a young boy that is adventurous and bold who pairs up with a young girl named Polly who is level-headed and grounding. The pair, through circumstance of stumbling upon the works of Digory’s “magician” uncle, discover a set of magical rings that can teleport you to other worlds.
Upon teleportation the protagonists arrive in a forest that is immeasurable in size. It is here that the discover that the forest is a gateway to other worlds. The first world they discover is Charn, the ruins of a great world, where Digory unknowingly unleashes a great evil into the world, Queen Jadis.
A series of events then leads the pair, and a few other characters to the world that will be known as Narnia. This discovery is accompanied by the introduction of another central character within the series, Aslan. Demonstrating a touch of his power and wisdom in the latter half of the book.
The Magician’s Nephew is a great starting point for young readers who are interested in fantasy and will often be able to relate to the younger characters that are the focal point for the story.
Overall, I rate The Magician’s Nephew a 3.5/5 for acting as a prequel to an amazing series but failing to provide the sense of adventure and amazement the rest of the series offers.
The Magician’s Nephew is available as hardcopy, digital or as an audiobook.