The Chronicles of Narnia

Growing up I thought I hated fantasy and science fiction. (Although I had an inexplicable obsession with all books by Roald Dahl—very fantastical indeed.) I loved reading historical fiction, biographies, or just plain fiction, so long as it didn’t have any fantastical elements. I went to great lengths to avoid anything else. However, over the past year or so, I have been repenting of this irrational evasion– watching Star Wars and Lord of the Rings (okay, I started it but fell asleep, but not because it wasn’t good). Part of this repentance has included reading The Chronicles of Narnia. I am finding out that I really like fantasy (and maybe even some science fiction) after all!

Over the past week or so, I have been devouring the The Chronicles of Narnia series. A couple months ago, I picked up a copy The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, which I loved. This week I was at my parents’ house and saw the rest of the series. I couldn't help myself, and now I'm addicted. What fabulous books. Those stories are thick with symbolism that I might have missed reading them as a child. I think that every adult should read the Chronicles of Narnia regardless of whether or not you read them as a child. You will not be disappointed. They're definitely on my list of books to read aloud to my kids someday- and yes, that list really does exist.

Side note: I have had this rap stuck in my head all week, and I really didn’t know where it came from. Upon further in investigation, I found out that “The Chro-ni-(what)-cles of Nar-ni-a” comes from an SNL sketch that I had never seen before. I have no idea where I got it from. Ah the power of pop culture.