How to Number Narnia
By Sharon Hoffmann, The Kansas City Star, Mo.
May 15–Many publishers list Prince Caspian as the fourth in C.S. Lewis’ seven Chronicles of Narnia books. And yet it’s the second Narnia movie. Can’t Hollywood count? Here’s what happened:
Caspian is the second Narnia book Lewis wrote, after The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Years later he wrote two prequels.
A young American fan once wrote to Lewis asking whether the books were meant to be read by publication date (as his mother suggested) or chronologically by plot (as the kid preferred). According to Disney’s companion guide to the “Caspian” film, Lewis sided with the boy, and most publishers have been numbering the books that way ever since.
But some experts say that perhaps Lewis would have given a different answer had the mother written the letter instead and that really the books could be read in almost any order.
The filmmakers had a practical reason for making “Caspian” next. It’s the only other Narnia book besides Lion that includes all four Pevensie children as children, and the young actors who play them are growing up quickly.
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It’s your choice how to read the Narnia series. Here are two ways:
BY PUBLICATION DATE 1. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
2. Prince Caspian
3. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (movie version due May 7, 2010)
4. The Silver Chair (movie due in 2011)
5. The Horse and His Boy
6. The Magician’s Nephew
7. The Last Battle
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CHRONOLOGICALLY BY PLOT 1. The Magician’s Nephew
2. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
3. The Horse and His Boy
4. Prince Caspian
5. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
6. The Silver Chair
7. The Last Battle
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