A Book Report: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (An Adventure About Salvation)

For most kids, hiding in a dark wardrobe can be strange or scary, but for the Pevensie children, it was the start of an epic adventure. The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe  takes place in the English countryside during World War II. The adventure begins when Peter, Susan , Edmund and Lucy are sent away to a professor’s house in the countryside to escape the bombings happening at home in London. They enter the magical land of Narnia through a wardrobe and find themselves in an entirely new land: a place of un-ending winter and a place where animals speak. They soon learn that they are the fulfillment of a prophecy spoken of throughout the land. 

The characters in this novel are fascinating. The White Witch, who claims to be the queen of Narnia, is one of the antagonists. The Great Lion Aslan, a protagonist, is the real king of Narnia. Edmund Pevensie follows his younger sister, Lucy, into Narnia. While he is looking for her, he meets the White Witch, falls under her spell, and betrays his siblings. In the meantime, Mr. and Mrs. Beaver take Peter, Susan, and Lucy to Aslan. Only the Great Lion is able to take back Edmund from the White Witch. The Witch says that Edmund must die on the Stone Table, but Aslan sacrifices himself so Edmund can live. In the end, Aslan comes back to life and defeats the Witch. Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy become the kings and queens of Narnia and reign for many years before magically and suddenly returning home to England. 

The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe was written by C.S. Lewis in 1950. He converted to Christianity as an adult when his two friends, J.R.R. Tolkien (the author of The Lord of the Rings) and Hugo Dyson witnessed to him in 1931. He responded to his new-found faith the way writers do: by creating his own story of salvation for children to read and enjoy in the hopes of maybe even leading them to a saving faith. It is clear that Lewis’ Christian worldview and faith are the driving themes of this novel. 

There are many symbols in this book. The most important is Aslan, who represents Jesus. Edmund represents all of us, as sinners, who can be tempted by sin and easily give in to the darkness within. Another symbol is the Stone Table, where Aslan sacrificed himself for Edmund just like Jesus sacrificed Himself on the cross for us, even though we are the ones who deserve to die. 

I really enjoyed reading The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe because of its action, suspense, and its story of salvation through sacrifice and grace. As the youngest in my family and the tallest in my class, I identify with Lucy the most. However, all of us, as sinners, should identify on the whole with Edmund. Even though this novel was written as a children’s book, I feel it is fascinating for people of all ages.

– By Shieldmaiden

A Review: Anne of Green Gables

I really enjoyed reading Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery. There are so many parts in the book that I love, but I’ll try to pick out three of my favorites. I really enjoyed how the author describes every event through Anne’s optimistic point of view. I also like how Anne is so adventurous and talkative. I really like the book all together. 

One of my favorite parts is when Anne breaks the slate over Gilbert Blythe’s head. It all starts when Gilbert teases Anne by calling her hair “carrots.” Anne becomes furious because she hates it when people criticize her looks. She stands up in class and picks up her slate and slams it on his head. She, then, never speaks to him for a while, and she denies his request for forgiveness until later on in the book. 

My second favorite part of the book is when Anne sees a peddler on the road, and the peddler says that the dye would turn her hair a beautiful raven black, but, instead of turning her hair raven black, it turns it into an ugly green color. Marilla finds Anne crying in her bed with the covers over her head. She asks Anne what she’s doing, and Anne replies by saying, “I dyed my hair.” Marilla then has to cut Anne’s hair very short. That time vanity got the best of her. 

My third favorite part of the book is when Diana becomes drunk. It begins when Anne invites Diana over for tea while Marilla is out. Marilla told Anne that they could have cake and raspberry cordial out of the cellar. When Diana arrives, Anne acts like a wonderful hostess. When she goes to get the cordial, she picks up the current wine instead by accident. Not realizing her mistake, Anne tells Diana that she can have as much “Raspberry Cordial” as she wants. When Anne is in the kitchen preparing the cake, Diana has several glasses of the current wine and becomes drunk as Anne returns from the kitchen. Diana says that she has to go home, but Anne does not understand why, so she follows Diana home and realizes that Diana was, in fact, drunk. And Diana’s mother does not let Diana or Anne speak to each other until Anne helps out her family in a surprising way.

This book is the kind of book I’m going to remember for many reasons. The characters are cool, and Anne is always talking. The setting of the book is great, and the description of everything is awesome. It really is a great book.

– By Victoria Scarlett Doman