"The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" is a novel written by C.S. Lewis. It is the first book in "The Chronicles of Narnia" series. The main idea of the novel is the magical journey of four children - Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy - who stumble upon a wardrobe that leads them to the land of Narnia. In Narnia, they discover a world inhabited by talking animals, mythical creatures, and an evil White Witch who has cast a spell to ensure that it is always winter and never Christmas.
In Narnia, they discover a world inhabited by talking animals, mythical creatures, and an evil White Witch who has cast a spell to ensure that it is always winter and never Christmas. As the story unfolds, the children become involved in a great battle between the forces of good, led by the noble lion Aslan, and the forces of evil, led by the White Witch. The children are chosen to fulfill an ancient prophecy that says they will bring an end to the Witch's reign and restore the rightful ruler, Aslan, to the throne.
Book 356: The Witch of Portobello – Paulo Coelho
In a further attempt to get a few more posts up while I’m on vacation I went to my TBR shelf and found I had two more Paulo Coelho novels yet to go so I grabbed them to read. They’re always easily written, well translated and fascinatingly beautiful and The Witch of Portobello (Amazon Affiliates link), was no exception. I’m actually not sure when I picked up this book as I can’t find a photo of it, so I’m going to assume it was sometime in 2011 right after I read The Alchemist.
Every time I read a book by Coelho, I find myself wondering about and searching for my spirituality. Whether he is talking about the Mother or organized religion (usually not), Coelho has a way of writing incredibly complex ideas and intricate narratives that is so simple and beautiful that it’s almost breath-taking. I do wonder if it is even more beautiful in his native Portuguese, how can it be so incredibly beautiful translated into English and not be beyond beautiful originally. So that being said, some credit must, obviously, be given to Margaret Jull Costa who has translated other works by Coelho including Veronika Decides to Die and Eleven Minutes (my next read) and many works by José Saramago including Seeing.
The Witch of Portobello is no different from Coelho’s other works that I’ve read in theme and ideas, but in style it was a completely different experience. Rather than a “straight-forward” story, this novel is a series of vignettes told by different people and collected by a mysterious editor/compiler (you do find out who it is at the end. What was most interesting is that the entire story leads to the main character’s, Athena/Sherine’s, death. You know she’s dead when the book starts, but you don’t know why, how or when.
What I took away from the novel was how beautiful the every day and the mundane are, like music and “white noise,”
“As I later learned, music is as old as human beings. Our ancestors, who traveled from cave to cave, couldn’t carry many things, but modern archaeology shows that, as well as the little they might have with them in the way of food, there was always a musical instrument in their baggage, usually a drum. Music isn’t just something that comforts or distracts us, it goes beyond that—it’s an ideology. You can judge people by the kind of music they listen to.” (35)
or passages like tis about calligraphy and posture,
“Elegance isn’t a superficial thing, it’s the way mankind has found to honor life and work. That’s why, when you feel uncomfortable in that position, you mustn’t think that it’s false or artificial: it’s real and true precisely because it’s difficult. That position means that both the paper and the brush feel proud of the effort you’re making. The paper ceases to be flat, colorless surface and takes on the depth of the things placed on it. It’s the same with life: when all superfluous things have been discarded, we discover simplicity and concentration. The simpler and more sober the posture, the more beautiful it will be, even though, at first, it may seem uncomfortable.” (79)
Coelho’s focus on the space between and the small details is so moving I’m honestly surprised a cult hasn’t sprung up around him like it did Athena/Sherine. There sort of is a cult vibe around The Alchemist, but I feel like so many people only read that work and never get to see how broad and wonderful his thoughts truly are.
The other thing that really stands out to me across Coelho’s works is anti-institutionalization. He is not a fan of organized religion, regardless of the religion. His beliefs, to me at least, revolve around the freedom of spirituality and discovering what it is that makes the world what it is and what makes you who you are. It’s been far too long since I read The Alchemist, almost four years, to compare the two explicitly, but I almost feel as if I would choose this one over it. There’s something to be said about a strong female protagonist and a mother goddess story, and how they center you within the chaos of modern society.
The one “odd” thing about this book is that it wasn’t listed on the Tree of Life (my term) that I found in the back of The Devil and Miss Prym I read last year. I guess it has more to do with the fact this is a larger over-arching story about the Great Mother, rather than any one specific emotion/feeling, but I don’t know.
Recommendation: Obviously, this is a must read. Even if you are a strong believer in organized religion, Coelho doesn’t go over the top to criticize, so don’t be afraid to listen to another view-point. I might just hold on to my copy of this one to re-read and savor the beautiful passages and the challenging ideas.
Opening Line: “Before these statements left my desk and followed the fate I eventually chose for them, I considered using them as the basis for a traditional, painstakingly researched biography, recounting a true story.”
Closing Line: “Love simple is.” (Whited out, highlight to read.)
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Publisher: HarperCollins
Throughout their journey, the children encounter various challenges and temptations. Edmund, in particular, is tempted by the Witch and betrays his siblings, leading to dire consequences. However, redemption and forgiveness ultimately prevail as the children learn important lessons about loyalty, bravery, and sacrifice. The novel is not just a fantasy adventure, but also a reflection on Christian themes and values. Aslan, the lion, is often seen as a Christ-like figure, sacrificing himself for Edmund's sins and ultimately triumphing over evil. The novel explores the ideas of redemption, forgiveness, and the battle between good and evil in a captivating and accessible way. "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" has become a beloved classic, cherished for its imaginative storytelling, memorable characters, and timeless themes. It has been adapted into various film and stage adaptations, further solidifying its status as a beloved piece of literature..
Reviews for "The Role of Lucy Pevensie in "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" - A Journey of Courage and Innocence"
1. Sara - 1/5 rating - I really did not like "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe". I found the storyline to be boring and lacking in depth. The characters were not well-developed, and I couldn't connect with any of them. The overall writing style was also not engaging, and I struggled to keep my interest throughout the book. Personally, I don't understand the hype surrounding this novel and would not recommend it to others.
2. John - 2/5 rating - I had high expectations for "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" due to its popularity, but I was ultimately disappointed. The plot seemed predictable and lacked suspense. The dialogue felt forced and unrealistic, making it difficult for me to become invested in the story. Additionally, I struggled to relate to the characters, as they felt one-dimensional and lacked depth. Overall, I found the novel to be underwhelming and would not consider reading the rest of the series.
3. Emily - 2/5 rating - I didn't enjoy "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" as much as I expected. The pacing was slow, and it took too long for the story to pick up. The world-building felt incomplete, and I struggled to envision the magical realm of Narnia. Moreover, the religious allegories throughout the book were heavy-handed and took away from the overall enjoyment of the story for me. While I appreciate the cultural significance of this novel, it simply did not resonate with me personally.
4. Michael - 1/5 rating - "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" fell short of my expectations. The writing style felt juvenile, and I found it hard to immerse myself in the narrative. The characters lacked depth and development, making it difficult for me to care about their journey. The plot, while initially intriguing, became repetitive and predictable. Overall, I found this novel to be uninspiring and would not recommend it to others.
5. Laura - 2/5 rating - I didn't find "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" to be as captivating as others claim it to be. The world-building felt shallow and lacked detail, making it hard for me to invest in the magical realm of Narnia. I also found the writing style to be too simplistic, which made it hard for me to fully engage with the story. Additionally, the religious undertones throughout the book were overwhelming and detracted from the overall enjoyment for me. Although it has its merits, I wouldn't consider it a must-read.