Chronicling Narnia

C.S. Lewis' delightful book series is a place where magic is real and fiction speaks of deeper truths than nonfiction. 
 

His books A Grief Observed, Till We Have Faces, the Space Trilogy, and Mere Christianity were each wonderful—changing the way I thought, and even believed. But there will likely never be any of C.S. Lewis' writings that stir my heart like the Chronicles of Narnia. I'm still amazed that 100+ page books written for children could be so saturated with deep theological truths that they are beloved by adults around the world—causing people to not only adore them for being memorable, but for being meaningful as well. In honor of those books, I've written down my order of them (from most favorite to seventh most favorite). This is something many readers of Lewis' Narnia have done—though each person's synopsis tends to be uniquely and beautifully different and often changes with time. Here's my current list:

1—THE HORSE AND HIS BOY (Book 3)

A young man, who struggles connecting with his father, is undervalued and lonely. He always believed that he was meant for more, then happens on a wild adventure as proof that he'd always been right. What more could I have asked for in a story?

2—THE LION THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE (Book 2)

The story of redemption and grace. A treacherous brother is bought back from evil by the death of the King. Death, itself, turns upside down. This story is at the center of our lives.

3—THE VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER (Book 5)

A crew and their ship go on a journey to find a company of nobles lost amidst the sea. A tale full of adventure on the sea, with islands creatures, and great mystery.

4—LAST BATTLE (Book 7)

An ending has never been so bitter and so sweet. I cannot properly express the hope that is instilled in me at the end of this book. I wish I could say more.

5—PRINCE CASPIAN (Book 4)

A young prince follows his heart to find that there's magic all around him. Quite the daring tale of justness and faith vs. blind perception and greed.

6—MAGICIAN'S NEPHEW (Book 1)

A boy and girl stumble upon a magical secret the boy's uncle had discovered, and the world was never the same. The song that is sung in this book is one of the most beautiful ever heard.

7—THE SILVER CHAIR (Book 6)

A small company travels to the great north, and beyond, to find a lost prince. The intrigue awaiting them is much greater, and deeper, than they could have imagined.

I cannot adequately convey my that massive value of my favorite truth about Narnia (one that Lewis so eloquently weaved into numerous other writings)—that the deep desires on our souls will truly come to fruition in the end.

Thank you Lewis, for all your wisdom, wrapped up in these tales written for all children, including me.