Oh My Goodness, Narnia is on TV Tonight!

I LOVE this movie: "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe". I'm blogging while I'm watching it so I can tell you the best parts. The VERY BEST scene is when Lucy pulls on the covering of the wardrobe and it flows down around her. That scene will never get old - it is so magical. Then, the snow when she first goes out of the wardrobe reminds me of when our family went to Disneyworld to the "Narnia" exhibit. It was so "cool" and felt as if you were actually in Narnia in the middle of winter. The White Witch is so perfect for the role and Mr. Tumnus and the beavers are endearing. I feel really sorry for Edmund - he's so distraught about his father and just makes such big mistakes. Peter is arrogant, but so brave and such a big brother. Susan is a wonderful big sister and the Professor is precious.

Well, I'm sure everyone has either read or seen this volume of the Chronicles of Narnia. It has made me want to read the rest. I know I will see the movies as they come out - many times.

Happy Reading everyone!

June 14, 2009 ---------------------------------------

I just finished "The Magician's Nephew". Since I actually already read "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe," though it was many years ago, and watched the movie several times, my daughter (the Narnia expert!) suggested I start over and read the books in chronological order. This book explained some of the things I was wondering about. It was so much fun thinking of the Professor as a young boy. And I found out how the wardrobe came to be magical! I didn't like Uncle Andrew very much. He only seemed to care about himself. I also learned how Narnia came to be and how some of the animals are able to talk. And I met the Witch - such a horrible woman. I'm ready to move on to the next book - "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe." Be back soon...

June 20, 2009 -----------------------------------------

I took "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" on vacation with me and finished it while we were driving the 3 hours to the beach. I liked it better than the movie, but I'm really glad I saw the movie AND read the book. There are things that weren't in the book that were in the movie - for example, the river sequence. I thought the river scene in the movie was very exciting and fit right in. Also, the little group celebrating Christmas that the Witch turned to statues was not in the movie. They only used the fox. How sad! I guess it would have been worse to have seen the little baby animals being turned to stone just for delighting in their Christmas pudding. And, of course the battle scene was so much more dramatic in the movie - "For Narnia and for Aslan!" - just great! So, my question is... "Were the children who grew to young adults in Narnia still young adults in children's bodies when they returned? or were they children who just remembered being in Narnia - as in a dream?" Hmmm...

It's on to "The Horse and His Boy"...

June 23, 2009 -----------------------------------------

This morning I finished "The Horse and His Boy". I really liked it. I thought it was a wonderful Narnian tale - something Narnians would have told their children. Loved the horse, Bree. He was so good to Shasta. Aravis was my favorite kind of heroine - spunky and independent; not afraid to get dirty; and able to ride a horse or climb a tree or any other thing that a boy can do. I knew at once that Corin and Shasta were twin brothers - no doubt everyone does - but I was still curious to see how the story played out. And King Lune was so jolly. I can imagine his joy when he saw Shasta. And, of course, Aslan - always there when they needed him. I guess I have given enough of the story away. There may be one or two people who haven't read it yet, so I won't tell all of the ending. Nevertheless, if you haven't read it - you should, and if you have - read it again!

July 5, 2009 --------------------------------------

Prince Caspian, what can I say, loved the book...loved the movie, for different reasons. I just love reading about Narnia, but the movie made it so much better. The scenes they added "for affect" really did make the story come alive. I especially love the scene where they attack the castle and Edmund uses his new "torch" to signal the troops. When he jumped off the castle and was whisked away, so magical. Having seen the movie first, it made Narnia seem so much bigger. When I was reading the book, Peter & company were traveling round and round a seemingly smaller place even though it took them days to get to Aslan's How. Reepicheep was my favorite character - what a spunky mouse. So sad that Peter and Susan are growing up and won't be back to Narnia. Who will be on the Dawn Treader? I have to hurry and read that book before the week is out! Be back soon!

July 9, 2009----------------------------

"The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" is now my favorite book of the Chronicles of Narnia series. There are so many adventures and they travel to such interesting places. And what did you think about the Pevensies' cousin, Eustace? At first he was such a brat! I don't want to give anything away so I'll just say that his adventures shaped him into a much nicer fellow...most of the time. And good old Reepicheep - my favorite knight - was daring and brave as usual. The book was just so packed full of interesting characters and magical places. As I was reading, I was thinking that this book would make great movie! And, lo and behold, they started filming it while I was reading!

My daughter and I also watched "Prince Caspian" last night on DVD. This challenge has been such fun. I love being in Narnia, reading and watching videos. I have to submit this blog post early because I am going to Ireland on Saturday. I'll get to see castles and listen to people speaking with a brogue. I'll be imagining I'm in Narnia while I'm there. Thanks for running this challenge, Carrie. I've loved the experience.