Classics Challenge Post 1
As part of the Classics Challenge I was required to read one title considered a children's/young adult fiction classic. I'm generally not a young adult fiction fan. Yes, I read all the Harry Potter novels; however, I was in middle school when they were published and was considered a young adult at the time. It worked.
Then again, I did choose a The Book Thief
to fulfill my 21st classic novel requirement, another title that is considered young adult. I don't believe I'll get into the habit of reading more young adult, per se, but perhaps these attempts will encourage me to look at the genre in a new light.
I finished The Magician's Nephew
as quickly as expected. A slim novel, coming in at a mere 192 pages, is the first in a seven book series called The Chronicles of Narnia
, which has recently been made even more popular due to film adaptation. I chose the title because I vaguely remember reading them as a child, and had further vague feelings of warmth and enjoyment. The novel follows the adventure of Polly and Digory, two children, who, in an attempt to explore an abandoned home via tunnel, end up in the study of Digory's magical, and seriously creepy, Uncle Andrew. By force, essentially, the children are sent to several other worlds, unleashing a wrathful witch, and witnessing the creation of Narnia along the way.
This is all fine and well. It offers children adventure and encourages them to use their imagination. However, I was utterly dismayed by the similarities between the novel and the creation story in the Bible. Before reading, I knew of C.S. Lewis's religious background and fervor, but I was overwhelmed by the biblical allusions.
I was especially annoyed with the woman-as-root-of-all-evil concept that was once again utilized.
All in all, it was a light read, and I could see the appeal of the series. I don't see myself rereading any of the other novels in the collection.
