Book : Prince Caspian, part 4, The Chronicles of Narnia.
Author : C.S.Lewis
Ratings :
For those who are new to Narnia, it is a magical country set in a world totally different from ours. It was created by Aslan, the Great Lion and four brothers and sisters - Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy were Kings and Queens who ruled over Narnia in what was considered to be its Golden Age (see part 2, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe for further details).
In this book, these four kids return to Narnia which is now torn with hatred and war and assist Aslan is returning things to normal. Although, most people who have read the Narnia series find this to book to contain one of thinnest plots, I would rate it as one of the better ones. In fact, the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th parts are all excellent books. I guess you can say it doesn’t begin very well but it builds up quite nicely. As usual, C S Lewis has portrayed his characters quite well. I would recommend you to read this book only if you have some idea about Narnia. If you don’t, then you’d do better to read Part 2 or Part 1 first. I guess you can say that the Telmarines who rule over Narnia bear a symbolism towards the current society. They despise anything that deals with magic, lead a very materialistic life and only believe in things that can be proven by modern science.
I think most people will also find an element of Christian beliefs in all of C S Lewis’ books but in my opinion it would be much better if you can read it as a book intended for children and not look for any deep meanings. In the end, it is only a book which shows you to have faith in yourself, trust in your friends and to display courage and bravery even in the worst situations. Underlying this theme is the always usable Good vs Evil battle.
The book begins with the four kids being summoned to Narnia. They find themselves on an isolated island and rescuing a dwarf they come to hear about all that had come to pass in Narnia in the time of their absence. The dwarf tells them of the invasion of the Telmarines who destroyed Narnia as the children knew it. The old inhabitants of Narnia - the Talking animals, the dwarfs, the Dryads, Fauns, Hamadryads all lived in fear of the Telmarines.
However, when Caspian, a more or less decent king of the Telmarines was murdered by his evil brother Miraz who usurped the throne and made even more strict laws against the old Narnians, it seemed as if they would soon die out. But his nephew, the son of his brother, also called Caspian, loved the stories that he heard about the old Narnians and wished to be with them. So he runs away from the palace before his uncle could murder him as well and finds refuge with a talking Badger and two dwarfs. There they prepare for battle with Miraz’s soldiers and reunite all the old Narnians. Thus the children come with Trumpkin, the dwarf to assist Caspian in his battle. Meanwhile Aslan also makes an appearance trying to unite all the good people to rebuild Narnia.Its something like the crusaders or Angle-Saxons or Ancient Britons coming back to modern England.
Various new characters introduced in this book reappear in the next book as well, most notably Caspian himself and Reepicheek, the honourable mouse, who would fight even a giant to preserve his honour and probably win too. All in all, its not the best book of the series but it still a very enthralling one. I really think that the Narnia collection isn’t just for kids but for everyone who likes reading. But this book isn’t one that you should read unless you have already read the 2nd and 3rd parts at least. In fact I would go even ahead to rate the Narnia Chronicles in the same category as ’’The Hobbit’’, by J.R.R. Tolkein, ’’Peter Pan’’, by James Barrie, and ’’Alice In Wonderland’’ by Lewis Caroll.
’’Aslan, Aslan. Dear Aslan, ’’ sobbed Lucy. ’’At last.’’
’’Welcome, child, ’’ he said.
’’Aslan, ’’ said Lucy, ’’you’re bigger.’’
’’That is because you are older, little one, ’’ answered he.
’’Not because you are?’’
’’I am not. But every year you grow, you will find me bigger.’’