Prince Caspian | 
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Product Description
Narnia ... the land between the lamp-post and the Castle of Cair Paravel, where animals talk, where magical things happen ... and where the adventure begins. Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy are returning to boarding school when they are summoned from the dreary train station (by Susan's own magic horn) to return to the land of Narnia -- the land where they had ruled as kings and queens and where their help is desperately needed. Performed by Lynn Redgrave
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Customer Reviews:
• Another Lovely Addition To The Narnia Series! 31 May, 2008
It's difficult for me to assign a star-rating to this book. I think because I'm so used to "epic" youth fantasy that I find this lacking. But, I must remember that it is a "children's" book, and I must take it for what it is.
The book reads a bit more like a beautiful outline. Some things are delved into, but for the most part situations and characters are only touched on the surface. But, this does make for a fast and intriguing read. And for whatever reason I do feel invested in the story and characters. A few sections seemed a little overlong or confusing but those were very few, and for the most part the story flows quite effortlessly. And Lewis manages another batch of delightful friends (or "DLFs")! I'm still a little unsure of the ending, but perhaps it will be explained further in the next story. And as always, there is something so special about the world of Narnia and Aslan the lion!!
- Reviewed by customer ID: A329XLI71Q8HI6
• It's About Aslan 26 May, 2008
To say this is the worst of the series is rather to say how great the series is. This book is highly recommended, but the other six even more so. Prince Caspian is simply less engrossing as story. It is a book about bringing justice to the disenfranchised. It is perhaps the most character-driven of the Narnia books, which is probably why it would be difficult to make into a movie. And the primary character is of course Aslan.
The book focuses on Aslan throughout, whether or not he is there. Indeed, the overarching theme is trusting in Aslan, whether or not you see him. Pervading all the scene is Aslan- discussions about him, discussions about how he doesn't exist, and a presence that can't be seen but some know is there. Character develops in response to the dilemma of the unseen Aslan.
Aslan isn't the only character though. We are entertained by beautiful descriptions, like a bear who must put his foot into his mouth (suck his paws), or a giant who is always putting his foot into his mouth (metaphorically). Indeed, battle plans are drawn up precisely because of the characters of the different participants. And we are introduced to perhaps the finest character of the Narnia series- Reepicheep, the valiant Mouse.
But while character-driven, Lewis seems to have taken a step back from writing good character in this novel. There are good insights into the nature of belief, but the characters don't quite ring true. And while it makes sense that Aslan would save the day, as after all, the novel is about him, we don't get enough of a connection between the presence of the Pevensies and the salvation of Narnia at the end of that day.
Thus there are two excellent reasons to read this book. Dawn Treader doesn't make sense without it. And for the lessons on faith that are gently told through story, as only a story can.
- Reviewed by customer ID: A2OP1HD9RGX5OW
• Back To Narnia 12 June, 2008
Imagine if you once saved a magical other world... only to return later and find that centuries had passed, and everything had changed.
Well, since the movie adaptation of "Prince Caspian" is about to come out, it seems appropriate to revisit C.S. Lewis's classic novel, the sequel to his even more classic "The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe." While it has some drippily allegorical moments near the end, Lewis does a pretty good job with what must have been a difficult sequel.
When his aunt gives birth to a baby boy, young Prince Caspian finds himself on the run from his usurping uncle Miraz -- and in the hands of Narnia's secret army of dwarves, centaurs, talking animals and nature spirits. Soon Caspian has an army backing his claim to the throne, but in a moment of desperation, he is forced to blow the magic horn of the legendary Queen Susan -- and subsequently pulls the Pevensies back into Narnia.
But while only a year has passed on Earth, centuries have passed in Narnia, and the kids find that it's no longer the place they left -- they and Aslan are distant memories, and their castle lies in ruins. And as they are led by a very skeptical dwarf to help Caspian, Lucy keeps glimpsing Aslan along the way -- a sign that things are about to change drastically in Narnia, both for the human and magical inhabitants...
The Chronicles of Narnia were probably the first books to feature what is now standard in the fantasy genre -- an ordinary person gets dragged into another world. Just take a look at successful, unique authors like Diana Wynne Jones and Garth Nix to get an example of how Lewis' stories have influenced the entire genre.
If you don't like allegory (religious or otherwise), then steer clear of "Prince Caspian," especially the second half. While Lewis's beliefs are presented in a more complicated and subtle manner in his other fictional works, here the parallels to basic Christian beliefs are very obvious. Reportedly even Tolkien, one of Lewis's best pals, found the allegory annoying.
But if you can get past the slightly ham-handed treatment, it's a lovely little read. Lewis interweaves mythical elements -- dwarves, nymphs, talking animals, witches -- with the chatty, slightly precious style of traditional British storytelling. But this one is a bit darker and more action-packed than "The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe," with some unexpected twists in the middle of it all. The scene with a strange witch and a werewolf is downright chilling, in fact.
But Lewis' plotting does sag near the end, during a drippy scene where Aslan wanders around fixing life for Narnian subjects. Fortunately after that, he gets back to a mystery that hangs over the whole book -- just where did all these humans come from, if they were such a rarity in the previous adventure?
Peter seems a bit more jaded than before and Edmund a bit more mature, but sadly the girls don't get enough to do this time around. But Caspian is a likable and believable prepubescent king-in-waiting, and surrounded by a bunch of unique Narnians -- a gentle yet fierce badger, a hostile dwarf, a fiery mouse, and the delightfully skeptical Trumpkin, who doesn't believe in lions.
Despite a few rough spots, "Prince Caspian" is a slightly darker, more intricate story, and its finale marks a turning point in the Chronicles of Narnia. Definitely give it a read before you see the movie.
- Reviewed by customer ID: A1D2C0WDCSHUWZ
• A Tale Of Duty, Compassion, And Heroism 03 June, 2008
I largely credit my love of reading with The Chronicles of Narnia. My fourth grade teacher read the entire series to our class and I loved every minute of it. With the contemporary release of theatrical versions of the first two installments, I've enjoyed rereading the books for the first time in twenty years.
Prince Caspian is beautifully simplistic. Aimed at children, the ideas of duty, compassion, and heroism are wonderfully relayed in an easily digestible format. When I was a child, I found the stories incredibly stimulating, but now as an adult I realize the life-lessons Lewis taught with each installment of The Chronicles of Narnia. Prince Caspian is the story of doing the right thing even when you must go against everything that seems natural. It is the story of putting your faith in a higher power and purpose and leaving mundane worries behind.
Keep in mind, however, that Lewis offered more than just a morality tale. Prince Caspian lays the groundwork for an epic story to come. In Narnia, Lewis created a varied and fantastic world where mythology, religion, and reality seamlessly meld.
I so look forward to reading the rest of this series as an adult and critically analyze Lewis' style and purpose. I also, however, look forward to reading the series to my daughter when she's old enough. I can't wait to see the wonderment in her eyes that only a child can experience.
~Scott William Foley, [...]
- Reviewed by customer ID: A2OOZZDSOHG4UY
• Not The Same When Read As An Adult 04 June, 2008
It's funny, how you come at these books as an adult and take something completely different away from them than you would as a child. I read these books about 20 years ago when my uncle gave me a complete set for my birthday. As a child, I think I read them simply as a fantasy/adventure story. As an adult, I can see the subtle religious references sprinkled throughout, and while some may see this as a hindrance to the story, at least through the first 2 books (I go by the original published order, not the new chronological order), I can look beyond that to the story underneath.
However, in the case of Prince Caspian, there doesn't seem to be much in the way of story. It seems to me that the book can be broken up into two sections: the first being the Dwarf relating Caspian's understanding of his role of Narnia's future leader (the entire importance of this seems to be related to him over the course of one evening while star-gazing) and the second being Peter, Edmund, Susan and Lucy's trek through the jungle to get to Caspian. The ending seemed too contrived for my liking and far too rushed. It was all build up and no follow through as far as I'm concerned.
Looking at the story differently, it is a story about faith; about how faith can be hard to see sometimes, but it's always there and as long as you believe in that faith, it will lead you where you need it to. Overall a good moral to the story, if a little didactic in the telling.
- Reviewed by customer ID: A12HI5D3C2EGWJ
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