Traveling the Two Roads Through Narnia - A Book Review

Christian author C. S. Lewis penned the timelss series The Chronicles of Narnia between 1949 and 1954. Originally conceived as a trilogy of novellas, the seven-book series began with the publication of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and ended with The Last Battle.The Chronicles of Narnia series is Lewis' most popular work having sold over 100 million copies in forty-one languages and inspiring the recent successful movies, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and Prince Caspian. * Two Roads Through Narnia explores what author Greg Wright considers to be the two most important elements of The Chronicles of Narnia series.

"Spirituality, Art and Narnia - The Middle Path and Roads Less Traveled" is the introduction to Two Roads Through Narnia. There author Greg Wright presents his case that the success of The Chronicles of Narnia is due not only due to its spiritual appeal, but also because the books work as great literature. Therefore, since The Chronicles of Narnia are both a work of great literature and spiritual truth, the forms must be appreciated separately, according to Wright. As Greg Wright says, "...this is a dual appreciation, not a simultaneous one."

Rather than confuse the issue by trying to analyse both forms at the same time, Greg Wright enlists the talents of his wife Jenn Wright, along with George Rosok and Kathy Bledsoe, to write a synopsis of each book in the The Chronicles of Narnia series. Each synopsis (seven in total - one for each book in the Narnia series) is followed by a literary analysis and a spiritual commentary. The writers switch roles on each book and their various styles make Two Roads through Narnia enjoyable and informative reading as each book is appreciated for the significance of its craft and for the value of its meaning.

In one of the more interesting essays, "Voyage of the Dawn Treader," writer Kathy Bledso evaluates the literary form of "Voyage of the Dawn Treader" by conducting an interview with King Caspian, and the other main characters. Another enjoyable essay is by husband and wife team Greg and Jenn Wright for their synopsis of "The Last Battle." In that chapter, they provide a "Narnia News Roundup" with exciting news stories to sum up the plot of The Last Battle.

Two Roads Through Narnia is available in paperback and is 200 pages in lenghth. Two Roads Through Narnia is both an informative read and an enjoyable one. Whether you are new to the world of Narnia or have been traveling its roads for a long time, you will want to add Two Roads Through Narnia to your Narnia library.

* In spite of the success of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and Prince Caspian, Disney recently made the decision not to produce Voyage of the Dawn Treader

SOURCES

Wikipedia.org/wiki/C._S._Lewis

Two Roads Through Narnia

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian

Disney Shuts the Book on Chronicles of Narnia, Will Not Produce Dawn Treader