Clive Staples Lewis, a fellow and tutor of Magdalen College, Oxford.
The classic seven-book series The Chronicles of Narnia by Irish-born C.S. Lewis has become one of the most important bodies of works in literary series because of its combination of adventure, fantasy and allegory. The series has remained a timeless favorite because it has transported readers to the magical land of Narnia, where animals talk, magic is commonplace and the battle between good and evil comes to life. Between 2005 and 2010, the enchanting world of Narnia was adapted and brought to life on the big screen with the release of three movies: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Prince Caspian and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. There is an upcoming film in the series called The Silver Chair, and these films, which have aimed to capture the core essence of Lewis’s Narnia blueprint, have stayed relatively true to the source material. While the first movie closely follows the book, subsequent films have taken more creative approaches, sometimes altering or omitting key elements and characters to fit the medium of film.
How Many Narnia Books Are There?
There are a total of seven books in the Chronicles of Narnia series, written by author C.S. Lewis. Since the 1950s, the series has captivated readers of all ages because Lewis successfully created characters from mythical beasts and talking animals who exist within times and places that are fascinating and intriguing. Besides this beloved series, C.S. Lewis is also known for his works on several acclaimed Christian apologetics, including Mere Christianity, The Abolition of Man and The Screwtape Letters. Upon its release, The Chronicles of Narnia received critical acclaim and has created a lane for Lewis’s legacy in both adult and children’s literature. Lewis’s dominance as a storyteller is one of a kind, and although several of his books have Christian themes, his storytelling resonates universally.
The Chronicles Of Narnia Books In Release Order
- The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1950)
- Prince Caspian (1951)
- The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (1952)
- The Silver Chair (1953)
- The Horse and His Boy (1954)
- The Magician’s Nephew (1955)
- The Last Battle (1956)
The Chronicles Of Narnia Book Series
For readers who are new to all things C.S. Lewis, The Chronicles of Narnia can be read in two ways: in the order in which it was published or in chronological order. Originally, the series was recommended to be read in the order they were published, beginning with The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe and ending with The Last Battle. However, a shift occurred over the years, with fans advocating for a chronological approach, starting with The Magician’s Nephew and culminating in The Last Battle. Other long-term fans have vouched for an even more linear guide to Lewis’ Narnia: the internal chronology option, which follows the concept of time and understanding within the story itself, and some fans believe that Lewis might agree with this model. He once wrote in a letter to a fan:
The series was not planned beforehand as she (your mother) thinks. When I wrote The Lion I did not know I was going to write any more. Then I wrote P. Caspian as a sequel and still didn’t think there would be any more, and when I had done the Voyage I felt quite sure it would be the last. But I found I was wrong. So perhaps it does not matter very much in which order anyone reads them. I’m not even sure that all the others were written in the same order in which they were published. I never keep notes of that sort of thing and never remember dates.
Actors (L-R) Jonathan R. Scott, Sophie Wilcox and Richard Dempsey in a scene from “The Lion, the … [+]
Obviously, Lewis also believes that in the end, one could also argue that the order of the story doesn’t necessarily matter. Ultimately, it depends on the type of reader following Lewis’ craftsmanship for the first time, but here is an idea of how to read The Chronicles of Narnia in order if this is your first rodeo.
1. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1950)
In The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, four siblings—Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy Pevensie—move to the English countryside during World War II to escape the air raids in London. While exploring the old house of Professor Kirke, Lucy, the youngest, discovers a wardrobe that begins the unforgettable journey towards the magical land of Narnia. There, she meets Mr. Tumnus, a faun, who tells her of the evil White Witch who has cursed Narnia with a never-ending winter. As the siblings enter Narnia, they begin to learn more about its history and join forces with Aslan, the great lion, to overthrow the White Witch and restore peace and springtime to the land of Narnia. This timeless series is often thought to contain Christian allegories, with Aslan’s character being seen as a Christ-like figure because of his sacrificial death and subsequent resurrection, which parallel the story of Jesus Christ.
Where you can read/rent/buy this book: HarperCollins Publishers.
2. Prince Caspian (1951)
Lewis continues to guide readers towards the fight for good and evil in Prince Caspian, which sees the Pevensie siblings return to Narnia after being summoned by Susan’s magical horn. When they arrive, they find out that centuries have passed since their reign, and learn that the rightful heir, Prince Caspian, has lost the throne and is living in hiding, and Narnia is under the tyrannical rule of his uncle, King Miraz. With the help of the Pevensies and Aslan, Caspian rallies the Old Narnians—talking animals and mythical creatures—to reclaim his throne and restore the noble nature of a Narnia.
Where you can read/rent/buy this book: HarperCollins Publishers.
Philip Miller introduces the creatures of Narnia to Sydney from the stage adaptation of “The Lion, … [+]
3. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (1952)
In The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, Lewis continues the Narnia legacy through a nautical lens by following Edmund and Lucy Pevensie as well as their reluctant cousin Eustace Scrubb, as they are transported into Narnia through a magical painting. During this pulse-pounding adventure, they join King Caspian aboard a ship called Dawn Treader as they set out on a mission to find the seven lost lords of Narnia. Their journey takes them to mysterious islands, encountering dragons, sea serpents and magical creatures that only Lewis could quite imagine. Along the way, Eustace changes his attitude and becomes less of a self-absorbed boy, but instead learns compassion.
Where you can read/rent/buy this book: HarperCollins Publishers.
4. The Silver Chair (1953)
In The Silver Chair, Eustace Scrubb returns to Narnia with his schoolmate Jill Pole. Aslan tasks them with finding Prince Rilian, the lost son of King Caspian, who has been captured and enchanted by the Lady of the Green Kirtle. Their adventures leads them to the Giant’s City and into the underworld of the Underland, where they face a lot of challenges, but with the help of Puddleglum, a marsh-wiggle, they discover the truth about Prince Rilian and eventually break the spell.
Where you can read/rent/buy this book: Barnes & Noble.
5. The Horse and His Boy (1954)
The Horse and His Boy is set during the reign of the Pevensies in Narnia and it follows the journey of Shasta, a young boy, and Bree, a talking horse, as they escape from the land of Calormen to Narnia. Shasta, who has lived a life of hardship and servitude under a fisherman named Arsheesh, discovers his true identity as Cor, the long-lost son of King Lune of Archenland, along the way. Bree, a warhorse captured by the Calormenes, yearns for the freedom of his homeland. Along the way, they meet Aravis, a young noblewoman escaping an arranged marriage, and her talking horse Hwin. Together, they uncover a plot by the Calormene Prince Rabadash to invade Archenland and Narnia. Their adventure is a tale of bravery, friendship and the discovery of one’s true identity. The journey not only tests their courage but also reveals the deeper connections between them and the land they seek to protect, emphasizing themes of redemption and the power of destiny.
Where you can read/rent/buy this book: Amazon.
6. The Magician’s Nephew (1955)
The Magician’s Nephew serves as a prequel to the Narnia series, which serves as a historical time capsule that shows readers the origins of Narnia. The story follows Digory Kirke and Polly Plummer, who are teleported to various worlds by Digory’s uncle, the magician Andrew. During this adventure, they witness the creation of Narnia by Aslan and accidentally bring the evil Queen Jadis, who later becomes the White Witch, to Narnia. This book provides a rich backward look in time which explains the origins of the wardrobe and the magic that hovers over Narnia. Among all of the books in this series, this one provides a backdrop to the origins of Narnia’s magical history. Christians see this portion of the Narnia series as the story of creation in the Bible, and more specifically in the book of Genesis.
Where you can read/rent/buy this book: HarperCollins Publishers.
7. The Last Battle (1956)
Narnia’s The Last Battle is the final book in the series, which depicts the end of Narnia. King Tirian, the last king of Narnia, faces treachery and deceit from Shift, an ape, and Puzzle, a donkey disguised in a lion’s skin as Aslan, who lead the Narnians down the wrong path through manipulation and control. With the help of Eustace and Jill, Tirian fights to save Narnia from destruction. The book ties the entire series together in a battle between the forces of good and evil, leading to the ultimate revelation and the end of the old Narnia as they know it. Many Christians view the book as a depiction of the Bible’s Book of Revelation, complete with heavy themes of Christian symbolism depicting the end of the world.
Where you can read/rent/buy this book: HarperCollins Publishers.
Bottom Line
While several fans of the series advocate for reading the books in the order they were published, others believe that reading the books in internal chronological order offers a unique, multi-dimensional perspective on the story. Regardless, C.S. Lewis created something enduring with the Narnia series whose legacy continues to inspire readers of all ages.
