This book will make you want to read narnia again with new fresh eyes, it might even allow you to read it as a child again if such a thing were possible this book would be the way to do it. Books that perform well based on their reader engagement are published by inkitt in different formats and channels. In his book, harry potter, narnia, and the lord of the rings. Five recommended authors of christian fantasy bill myers. Dec 05, 2005 cs lewiss seven childrens books, the chronicles of narnia, will be with us now and for many christmases to come. He argues as to why it is not just okay, but is good for children to read narnia and other fantasy books like it. In his books, fantasy is a springboard for exploring cosmic questions about the purpose of human life and the nature of the.
Based on what youve told us, we have the impression that the author seriously misunderstands the purpose of christian fantasy. There are other books on this list that i would argue are not christian fantasy, but his dark materials takes the cake. The chronicles of narnia a parallel to christianity. Weve seen vaguely christian fantasy european before. Nobody believes in the lord of the rings or the chronicles of narnia in the same way they. I look forward to trying the next book in the series.
This is the most familiar approachthe one taken by c. These are books she has read, books we have read together, or ones she has added to her evergrowing someday pile. I always suggest people who are new to christian fiction and enjoyed this genre before, to start here. If we want to be precise, the reason why tolkien disliked the chronicles was not because of the story, but because of the literary style. The wisdom of narnia ebook christian books, bibles, gifts. When i was in elementary schools, the first two books, the tower of geburah 1978 and the iron sceptre 1981the only ones that existed at the timewere a friends favorite series. New narnia film stirs religious controversy reuters. Only harry potter has outsold these wellloved books 85 million copies. Enclave publishing christian fantasy and science fiction. I have a nagging suspicion that im the resident expert, but does anyone know of any fantasy books that have christian symbolismthemes like chronicles of narnia. Lewis, a devout christian whose childrens series the chronicles of narnia. Apr 01, 2011 in a chapter on christian fantasy writing, obrien compares the magic found in occult fiction such as harry potter to that which appears in christian classics such as j. Magical books like narnia for kids what do we do all day.
His advice was for anyone who read sf should spend twice the amount of time reading the bible. Dont miss one of americas top 100 mostloved novels, selected by pbss the great american read. It is an excellent start and is well written, though the characters and world could have been developed more deeply. Should a christian read the chronicles of narnia series or. The lion, the witch, and the wardrobe, the chronicles of. This glorious, finely wrought book makes the perfect introduction to all the wonders of narnia and will be a keepsake to treasure forever. In addition to numerous traditional christian themes, the series borrows characters and ideas from greek and roman mythology, and from british and irish folklore. I very much recommend this book to anyone who is interested in narnia. See more ideas about fantasy books, book recommendations and books. The adventures of the pevensie children in the magical land of narnia are timeless, but what if weve read the books, seen the movies, and still want our fantasy fix. Christianity is not explicit i had no clue that the chronicles of narnia books were supposed to be christian until i was an adult, but it breathes in every word and event in the story. The books were written in open imitation of the style of the chronicles of narnia, including having plots that serve as christian allegories.
Jul 11, 2019 then finally the snow queen, hans christian anderson. That was my purpose in searching for christian fantasy lists, but i feel like im the one adding most of the books. Confronting reality by reading fantasy the atlantic. In this, he and the many christian fantasy writers have an advantage over not only the few, largely assimilated jewish fantasy writers, but even over a deeply knowledgeable and religiously committed jewish writer who might seek to create a work of fantasy dramatizing judaism in the way that the various narnia books dramatize christianity. It overflows with an authentic sense of narnian brightness, wisdom, and wonder. Teaching narnia in classroomsthe lion, the witch, and the.
Jan 22, 2018 christian scifi fantasy fiction have christian elements woven into imaginative and futuristic storylines. If you want non fantasy books, enders game is a good scifi for children which is challenging but nothing an early teen cant handle. This nine book paperback box set of the classic series features the classic blackandwhite artwork from garth williams. What are some other books or series like the chronicles of narnia.
The christian analogy to the lion, the witch, and the. But those who like this subgenre do not think of it as wicked, but rather as a way to engage with christian ideas and. Lewis and the world of narnia, i have read countless books about both. Joe rigneys live like a narnian is one of the best. Enclave publishing, formerly marcher lord press, is the premier publisher of christian fantasy and science fiction.
Apr 01, 2020 the voyage of the dawn treader was my least favorite narnia book as a kid, but on this reread it climbed the charts toward the top. As with my other books for kids who like lists, i havent included only books that resemble narnia in plot details and themes. Personally when i read these lists im looking for books more like chronicles of narnia. The author said that christian fantasyfiction is an oxymoron. I asked myself supposing that there really was a world like narnia and supposing it had like our world gone wrong and supposing christ.
Lewiss classic series, i hope they will enjoy the titles on this list of books for kids who like the chronicles of narnia. I feel like it has to be said that the books are a christian allegory, something that i didnt quite get as a child, but which is beyond obvious as an adult. Im a huge fan of christian fantasy, and id like to protest the inclusive of his dark materials. Written by lewis, illustrated by pauline baynes, and originally published in london between 1950 and 1956, the chronicles of narnia has been adapted for radio, television, the stage, and film.
This seven book series features witches, mythical creatures, talking animals, magical spells, and faroff worlds, prompting christians to ask the question. Jul 01, 2002 the first is submerged christian allegory or parable. Scifi fantasy christian fiction is not often heard of or well advertised in the book community. Rigney seems equally at home with lewiss fiction and nonfiction. Each time a new movie or tv version of the chronicles of narnia comes out, many people find a renewed interest in c.
For fans of christian fantasy, i would definitely recommend prophet. Narnia represents everything that is most hateful about. It is considered a classic of childrens literature and is the authors bestknown work, having sold over 100 million copies in 47 languages. If you are a fan of lord of the rings, you will like the narnia books. The style lewis used in the chronicles is allegory, where there is a very obvious parallel between the char. The best of the books are the ones, like the horse and his boy. Christian fantasy is my favorite genre and lots of my favorite books are christian fantasies.
A guide to the christian fantasy subgenre and christian fantasy book recommendations. The books follow the magical land of narnia over time and the children from earth who stumble into visiting there. When paige patterson was my pastor, he knew of my interest in science fiction and fantasy otherwise known as genre or speculative fiction or sf. In particular, he seems inclined toward a misguided mentality that has tripped up many good, sincere, biblebelieving christiansnamely, an overly literalistic approach to life that fails to grasp the difference between art and reality. In my quest to help her hold on to the lifegiving inspiration of narnia, i went searching for some christian themed fantasy books. The chronicles of narnia is a series of seven fantasy novels for children written by c. What you need to know about fantasy books and movies, he discusses why the j. My 16 favorite fantasy books and series for kids and teens. Many people believe that the chronicles are aiming at only a lowage public and that they are pure fantasy, having a purpose of only entertaining children. Apr 21, 2016 i grew up reading the chronicles of narnia and have watched the movies and plays, and have read other books of c.
Books similar to the chronicles of narnia chronicles of. What are some other books or series like the chronicles of. The difference between christian and occultbased fantasy. Terrific high fantasy for that same age, not particularly christian, somewhat elevated language. Is narnia a place of christian faith or a place to get away from it. A collection of quotes and excerpts with blackandwhite art from all seven books in the classic fantasy series the chronicles of narnia, the wisdom of narnia is a charming compilation of narnian words of comfort and inspiration that speaks volumes in just 60 pages. Questions about christian fantasyfiction focus on the family. Stories similar to the chronicles of narnia series books, stories, and novels like the chronicles of narnia series by c.
Though i wouldnt recommend the sequels as they might be a bit too much for a middle school student to handle. Essentially, the problem is not so much that magic is present in the book, but how the magic is. I didnt even notice the bigotry as a kid because i was so used to books like this one. Magical books for kids who like the chronicles of narnia. I think a christian fantasy story can be one of a few. Yes, the narnia books are works of christian apology, works that celebrate joy and lovebut what i was conscious of as a little boy, if not in any analytical way, was the deep grief encoded in. I recently had the opportunity to speak with richard about his book. Chronicles of narnia books snowy woods like a lion cs lewis book illustrations great stories book worms.
However, he is best known for his childrens fantasy series, the chronicles of narnia. Lewis is an excellent example of christian based fiction. I read all of the books in the series when i was young, and more recently watched the movies with my own family. Have a look at these ten novels that just might be what youre looking for. I can say that i am still very much inlove with the chronicles and consider them a very important work of literature. During that time i had no idea the connection with christianity.
Jan 18, 2016 through the wardrobe i went and i never totally returned. Rowlings harry potter series is vastly different from the christianbased works of c. Seven books by him, mostly with magic in the title. I absolutely loved the storyline, the characters, and the beautiful land of narnia. Here are eight more magical fantasy books like narnia to take you through the. A fullcolor paperback edition of the lion, the witch and the wardrobe, book two in the classic fantasy series the chronicles of narnia. By amanda callow thesis submitted to the department of art and humanities, linfield college. So, too, would have another famous oxford fantasy writer, c. Should a christian read the chronicles of narnia series or see the movies. Lucy and the faun in narnia illustration by pauline baynes artwork for c. The chronicles of narnia is a series of fantasy novels by british author c. Phillip pullman flat out hates christians and everything our faith stands for. The lion, the witch, and the wardrobe, the chronicles of narnia commemorative edition 9780064409421 by c. It turned out the horn had the power to call back both the kings and queens of old and aslan.