Could I get some SUB with that TEXT?

[layla]

I finished my Narnia re-read last night. I hadn't read the series in probably over 15 years (since I was pretty young, at any rate). It was interesting to compare my reactions *then* to my reactions *now*. I was completely unaware as a kid of the allegorical elements of the books, which now seem awfully ham-handed -- subtext is supposed to be, you know, a little bit *hidden*, normally. Some of them didn't quite live up to my glowing childhood memories ... I adored the heck out of VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER as a kid, but on the re-read, it just didn't quite live up to my adult expectations, maybe because the kids didn't really solve any of their own problems ... it was one of the worst books for the "deus ex machina" lion showing up every time they're in trouble. On the other hand, THE HORSE AND HIS BOY (my other childhood favorite) was every bit as exciting as I remembered.

Will probably go see the movie next week sometime.

Comments

[dewgeist.livejournal.com]

...and that's why I didn't read them again. I assume I would have a similar reaction. Childhood memories are sometimes best when viewed from a distance.
So. Going in cold for this flick.

[laylalawlor.livejournal.com]

See, I'm one of those crazy people who prefers to read the book first ... not so that I can compare it to the movie, but just because the book (assuming that the book came first) is really the way the story is *meant* to be told, and I want to experience it first in its original form, with all the revelations intact.

Also, once I've seen the movie, I can't read the book without seeing the actors in my head, which is kind of a pain if the actors were poorly cast (although the Narnia movie doesn't look as if it has that problem).

[dewgeist.livejournal.com]

Well, I'm the one who takes the movie at face value (doesn't mean I'm not crazy:P ). Allie reads the book and sweats the movie doing justice to the story...and takes it personally if they screw it up! (Allie says she's exactly like you...)

...All bets were off for LOTR however...If *that* sucked I'd have gone medieval on Peter Jackson! :)

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

Hmm, Dawn Treader was my very favorite (rather liked The Last Battle too as I recall) but like you, haven't read them in years, am very curious myself to try them again. It's odd about the allegory - I remember reading them when I was younger and having a very strong sense that there was something else going on that I was missing, but I didn't understand what symbolism really was. And yet my Narnia phase corresponded closely with my Biblical phase, so I suspect on a subconscious level I was getting it (though perhaps not the way Lewis intended, if proselytizing was his goal; I loved the Bible and Narnia with the exact same passion and interest that I had for Greek mythology...)

[laylalawlor.livejournal.com]

I'm not entirely sure what (if anything) Lewis hoped to accomplish with the allegory, since most people I know who read the books as kids didn't "get" the symbolism of it until they were older. As proselytizing goes, it doesn't seem to be very effective. On the other hand, the books may have simply been his own way of coming to terms with that particular religious journey -- and the Christian religious elements are only one (though the strongest) religious tradition that appears in the books, as well.

Childhood Journey

[(Anonymous)]

I've been privileged to have just finished reading aloud The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe with a group of 10 and 11 year old kids. They were enthralled and joyous over the triumph of good over evil, the wonderful characters, and the descriptions of Narnia. For this past month, each time we suit up to go out to recess, they line up in front of the door and yell "Through the magic wardrobe, off to Narnia!" Lewis intended this book as a journey for children and only a child can open the door for you. Adults are stuck peering into a dusty old closet full of mothballs and memories.

Re: Childhood Journey

[laylalawlor.livejournal.com]

Heh. Some things can really only be experienced to their fullest when you're young.

[(Anonymous)]

Dawn Treader was my favorite too, largely on account of Reepicheep. :-)

I haven't re-read the series in about 15 years, partly because I'm afraid that my cynical adult sensibilities will be offended by the allegory (I don't object to allegory per se, and I am a big Lewis fan, but allegory for children is bound to be a blunt instrument). As a child (even up through my early-double-digit years) the allegory went straight over my head and I simply loved the adventure, but I don't know what my adult reaction will be. I should develop a spine and re-read them.

-SarahD in CA