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Rating:  -
I very much enjoyed reading this book, even though know I am an adult, I think it made more sense to me know that I am older then it did when I was a kid.
Rating: -
Each of the THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA can easily stand alone or be read as a part of the series. C.S. Lewis is a good storyteller, a deep thinker, and an influential theologian. Some of his books are masterpieces because of their imagery. Others are masterpieces because of their theology. However, it is in this book, THE HORSE AND HIS BOY, that Lewis shines as a master author. This book does not need theology or cloaked meanings to make it come alive. This is simply a masterpiece of writing. It will stand well against any other children's book sold.
Suggestion: Anyone who likes Harry Potter will probably enjoy this book. It carries many of the same themes, with a slightly different worldview.
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Often listed as the 5th book in the chronicles of Narnia- it actually takes place while the children are in Narnia on their first visit, so chronologically it's the third book. It can also stand alone more than probably any of the other books, since the Pevensie children and schoolmates are only peripherally involved.
Basically it is the Prince and the Pauper set in Narnia, with the pleasant undergirding of theological allegory giving it a sense of eternal significance. It has the usual Narnian talking animals, in fact two talking horses, Bree and Hwin fleeing Tarkanian captivity are the most significant characters after the boy (of the Horse and His Boy). As with all the Narnia books, a great story, well developed characters, a delightful read for any age, and among those rare books that makes you feel better for having read it.
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My original Chronicles of Narnia set was in published order, meaning that the order of the books began with "The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe" and then proceed from there to "The Last Battle". When you initially begin in this fashion and have just put down "The Silver Chair" you kind of figure on continuing along the "chronological" path you were expecting. I was deeply disappointed when I opened the first page of "The Horse and His Boy" and discovered that not only had I gotten off track from where Eustace and Jill left off but that I was taking an enormous step backwards in time. However I started reading the story, and ironically it has become my favorite Chronicle story yet.
I won't hash over the details of the story much here as it's explained in great detail in too many other posts, but suffice it to say it revolves around a young boy named Shasta living on the savannas of Calormen. Calormen is a vast desert kingdom south of Narnia, and Narnia's sister-state Archenland. Shasta notes his skin tone is different than those of his father and has always made him feel different, and late one night overhears his fisherman father entertaining a passing soldier and telling the story of how he found Shasta in a boat passing close to shore. The soldier claims that Shasta is surely one of the barbarians from the north and wishes to buy him from the father. With this revelation Shasta meets up with Bree, a talking horse from Narnia, stolen from Narnia when he was a foal and together the two make their escape and flee north to their respective homelands, meeting with a wide variety of folks.
Lewis definitely was inspired by "The Arabian Nights" when he wrote this one as the subject matter has the same basic flavor. Aside from "Voyage of the Dawn Treader" (and a small part of The Silver Chair) this is the only book where the reader sees events and places outside of Narnia, as the action takes place almost entirely in Calormen and Archenland (which is often mentioned in the other books but never seen except in this one). The journey is fantastic and the reader can watch all the characters involved mature from page to page.
An earlier post mentioned that this book is "controversial" as it implies an "anti-Islamic" feel, and that it intoned racism as it described Narnians as "white" and Calormenes as "dark". Lewis lived in the dark days before the introduction of Political Correctness...actually if Lewis lived today I'm pretty sure he'd have his name thoroughly smeared by the same nitwits who make allegations like this. They clearly are trying to see something in the book that was never intended. For the record not all Calormenes are "evil" in the book...truth be known several are considered honorable, foremost among them Aravis, as well as Emmeth in "The Last Battle". Aslan Himself shows no lack of love for Aravis or Emmeth, and I think that this clearly demonstrates that Lewis was not a racist person, for if he were it surely would have been written a much different way. Let the reader decide on their own!
Post-rant - in the meantime this is one of the thicker Narnia books and will take at least a day or two for even an advanced reader to run through. Great, great story and definitely among the better ones that Lewis tells about Narnia!
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I have read this book several times and am currently reading it again. Maybe I should wait until I am finished because it's been a while since I read the whole thing, but I can always come back and edit my review later. This is one of my favorite books. This poor, unhappy boy goes on an incredible adventure with a talking horse and later on they pick up some other companions. The story has a slightly different feel from the other Narnia books, as less of the story actually takes place in Narnia. I feel extremely jealous of Shasta, for getting to travel across strange and beautiful lands on a talking horse (even though "Bree" is a complete jerk). Bree is my least favorite "good guy" from any of the Narnia books, (except of course for Reepicheep). This is the kind of story that the kid in you daydreams is happening to you when you are not doing anything, or that would make a great kids' movie. One of the more interesting plot twists is when one of Shasta's companions overhears something that they must tell to the King ASAP. Now they are not only trying to reach their destination, they are racing against time. Will they make it? WILL THEY MAKE IT? You must read the book to find out. And by reading this book, you may actually feel like you are "taking the journey" along with our heroes (even though one of them, Bree, is a huuuuuge idiot). Oh and if you don't believe me, here are some actual quotes from Bree: "...even if it was safe...I'd be ashamed to be seen with you..." "Funny to think of me...(insert him stroking his own ego here)...having a potato-sack like you in the saddle!"
Oh and one more thing, I really don't want to stir up trouble where there is none, but I couldn't help feeling there were some very strong racial and anti-Islamic undertones in this book. Some readers may not appreciate Lewis' efforts to help us remember that the Narnians are white while the Southerners, in this case the bad guys, are "dark". And if someone did take offense at this, I couldn't say that I would blame them. But please remember, this takes place in a completely different world from ours...oh who am I trying to kid, it's soooo obvious what Lewis was trying to say here!
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