Into the Wardrobe by David C. Downing offers some unique insights into the Chronicles of Narnia while keeping its scholarly views readable.

Downing begins his book rather unimaginatively with a brief biography of C. S. Lewis, but soon turns to explore the conception of each of the Chronicles in the order Lewis wrote them. The next chapter discusses the books’ spiritual vision, focusing on the various aspects of Aslan: creator, redeemer, judge, etc. In “Moral Psychology,” Downing points out how Lewis portrayed qualities both positive and negative, with Edmund and Eustace as examples. In “Classical and Medieval Elements”, the author demonstrates how Lewis used include hierarchy and chivalry within his series.

The heart of Downing’s book delves into the names Lewis gave to characters and places, and researches possible origins. Lucy and Jill were young girls Lewis knew, Aslan means “lion” in Turkish, and an Italian village was once called Narnia. The book ends with a chapter on Lewis’s literary abilities, an appendix of terms and allusions used in the Chronicles, extensive notes, bibliography, and index.

While Into the Wardrobe proves Downing’s claim of C. S. Lewis expert, one mistake jarred throughout the book. He seemed not to realize Jadis from The Magician’s Nephew and the White Witch of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe are the same person. He entertains the possibility due to a letter Lewis wrote, but completely ignores the White Witch being called Jadis in the report of Tumnus’ arrest.

Apart from this minor point, this book is an excellent resource for all Narnia fans. It offers insight for everyone who loves Narnia - from curious children to literary scholars - although its aim lies more toward the latter.

In A Field Guide to Narnia, Colin Duriez digs into the worldviews, myths, and people who played important roles in C. S. Lewis’ creation of Narnia. This scholarly work is written for adults, but the explanations don’t remove the magic of the Chronicles of Narnia.

Beginning with a short biography of Lewis’ life, Duriez continues with the books from various periods that influenced Narnia’s unique attributes. He points out the parallels between the Chronicles and Christianity, followed by concepts borrowed from other worldviews. The chapter titled “Literary Features of the Chronicles” discusses genre, perception, and the books’ sometimes visible but never intruding narrator. The first section of the book ends by further expounding on the themes, concepts, and images found in Lewis’ books.

Part Two is an encyclopedia for the Chronicles, giving a brief overview of each book, a history of Narnia (complete with a timeline), and a chapter on its geography. Then Duriez shows Lewis’ other writings in the context of Narnia, and the people who influenced Lewis’ life and works. Part Three, a dictionary, covers Narnia from Adam to Zardeenah. Extensive notes, a chronology of Lewis, and a detailed bibliography end the book.

Though repetitive in places, A Field Guide to Narnia adds depth to the Chronicles without reducing them to theological tomes or classics merely to be analyzed. Without a hint of overt suggestion, Duriez makes you long to read the Chronicles once more.

Lewis’ writings, thanks to Wikipedia.

Nonfiction

* The Allegory of Love: A Study in Medieval Tradition (1936)
* Rehabilitations and other essays (1939) — with two essays not included in Essay Collection (2000)
* The Personal Heresy: A Controversy (with E. M. W. Tillyard, 1939)
* The Problem of Pain (1940)
* A Preface to Paradise Lost (1942)
* The Abolition of Man (1943)
* Beyond Personality (1944)
* Miracles: A Preliminary Study (1947, revised 1960)
* Arthurian Torso (1948; on Charles Williams’s poetry)
* Mere Christianity (1952; based on radio talks of 1941 – 1944)
* English Literature in the Sixteenth Century Excluding Drama (1954); 1975 reprint ISBN 0198812981;
* Major British Writers, Vol I (1954), Contribution on Edmund Spenser
* Surprised by Joy: The Shape of My Early Life (1955; autobiography)
* Reflections on the Psalms (1958)
* The Four Loves (1960)
* Studies in Words (1960)
* An Experiment in Criticism (1961)
* A Grief Observed (1961; first published under the pseudonym «N. W. Clerk»)
* They Asked for a Paper: Papers and Addresses(1962) (All essays found in Essay Collection (2000)
* Selections from Layamon’s Brut (ed. G L Brook, 1963 Oxford University Press) introduction
* The Discarded Image: An Introduction to Medieval and Renaissance Literature (1964)
* Studies in Medieval and Renaissance Literature (1966) — not included in Essay Collection (2000)
* Spenser’s Images of Life (ed. Alastair Fowler, 1967)
* Letters to an American Lady (1967)
* Christian Reflections (1967; essays and papers)(All essays found in Essay Collection (2000)
* Selected Literary Essays (1969) — not included in Essay Collection (2000)
* God in the Dock: Essays on Theology and Ethics (1970), = Undeceptions (1971) — with one essay not included in Essay Collection (2000)
* Of Other Worlds (1982; essays) — with one essay not included in Essay Collection
* Present Concerns (1986; essays)(All essays found in Essay Collection (2000)
* All My Road Before Me: The Diary of C. S. Lewis 1922 – 27 (1993)
* Compelling Reason: Essays on Ethics and Theology (1998) [34]
* Essay Collection: Literature, Philosophy and Short Stories (2000)
* Essay Collection: Faith, Christianity and the Church (2000)
* Collected Letters, Vol. I: Family Letters 1905 – 1931 (2000)
* Collected Letters, Vol. II: Books, Broadcasts and War 1931 – 1949 (2004)
* Collected Letters, Vol. III: Narnia, Cambridge and Joy 1950 – 1963 (2007)
* The Business Of Heaven:Daily Readings From C. S. Lewis ed. Walter Hooper, 1984, Harvest Book, Harcourt, Inc.

Fiction

* The Pilgrim’s Regress (1933)
* Space Trilogy
o Out of the Silent Planet (1938)
o Perelandra (aka Voyage to Venus) (1943)
o That Hideous Strength (1946)
* The Screwtape Letters (1942)
* The Great Divorce (1945)
* The Chronicles of Narnia
o The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1950)
o Prince Caspian (1951)
o The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (1952)
o The Silver Chair (1953)
o The Horse and His Boy (1954)
o The Magician’s Nephew (1955)
o The Last Battle (1956)
* Till We Have Faces (1956)
* Screwtape Proposes a Toast (1961) (an addition to The Screwtape Letters)
* Letters to Malcolm: Chiefly on Prayer (1964)
* The Dark Tower (1977)
* Boxen: The Imaginary World of the Young C. S. Lewis (ed. Walter Hooper, 1985)

Poetry

* Spirits in Bondage (1919; published under pseudonym Clive Hamilton)
* Dymer (1926; published under pseudonym Clive Hamilton)
* Narrative Poems (ed. Walter Hooper, 1969; includes Dymer)
* The Collected Poems of C. S. Lewis (ed. Walter Hooper, 1994; includes Spirits in Bondage)

As editor

* George MacDonald: An Anthology (1947)
* Essays Presented to Charles Williams (1947)

Which of these have you read?