The Chronicles of Narnia Review: Is C. S. Lewis’s Series Still Worth Reading?

By Ahaqir Ishaq

Few fantasy series have an entrance as memorable as a wardrobe opening onto a snowy forest. C. S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia turns that simple discovery into seven books about adventure, temptation, courage and the difficult choices that come with growing up.

I enjoyed the series for its imaginative world and the way Lewis lets children face serious problems without making them stop thinking like children. The books are short, approachable and full of memorable creatures, but their simplicity does not mean they have little to say.

With Greta Gerwig’s Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew heading to theaters in 2027, there is another reason to revisit the books. But does the series still deserve its reputation, especially if you are reading it for the first time as an adult?

What Is The Chronicles of Narnia About?

The best-known starting point, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, follows four siblings: Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy Pevensie. After leaving London during World War II, they stay in a country house where Lucy discovers that a wardrobe leads to another world.

That world is Narnia, a land of talking animals, mythical creatures and powerful magic. The White Witch has trapped it in an endless winter, and the children become involved in the struggle against her. Their greatest ally is Aslan, a lion whose authority reaches far beyond that of an ordinary ruler.

This is the beginning of the published series, rather than a summary of all seven books. Later novels introduce new protagonists and take readers across seas, into underground kingdoms and back to Narnia’s creation. The Pevensies matter enormously, but they are not the central characters in every installment.

What connects the stories is Narnia itself: a place where seemingly ordinary children discover that their decisions have consequences larger than they imagined.

Background: Seven Books Published Between 1950 and 1956

Lewis published the seven Narnia novels between 1950 and 1956. Their publication order differs from the order in which events happen within the fictional world.

Netflix’s official series overview reports that the books have sold more than 120 million copies. The Last Battle is also listed as the 1956 winner in the Carnegie Medal’s official archive.

Sources: Netflix’s official Narnia overview and the Carnegie Medal winners archive.

My Review: Why Narnia Still Works

A World That Invites You to Explore

The worldbuilding was one of my favorite parts of the series. Lewis gives Narnia enough detail to feel distinctive while leaving room for the reader’s imagination. A lamppost in a snowy forest, animals holding conversations and a ship sailing toward unfamiliar islands are simple images, but they open up enormous possibilities.

Each book also changes the kind of adventure readers experience. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader has the appeal of an exploratory journey, while The Silver Chair builds its story around a dangerous search. The Magician’s Nephew asks readers to imagine the beginnings of the world they already know.

That variety makes the series feel larger than its individual novels. You do not need hundreds of pages of explanation to believe there is something waiting beyond the next hill.

Children Who Still Think Like Children

I also enjoyed how the characters deal with adult problems from a child’s perspective. They can be brave, but they can also be jealous, stubborn, frightened or too eager to prove themselves.

Edmund’s choices in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe are particularly important to this appeal. Lewis allows a child’s resentment and desire for attention to become part of a much bigger conflict. The result is a story where a personal mistake matters as much as a magical battle.

The adventures work because the children have things to learn. Their presence in Narnia gives them responsibility, but it does not automatically give them wisdom.

Short Books With Serious Themes

The accessible writing makes Narnia easy to enter, especially compared with longer fantasy series. These are manageable novels that readers can enjoy individually while gradually discovering a larger story.

Their brevity also gives important moments room to stand out. Lewis explores betrayal, forgiveness, loyalty, pride and loss without requiring a complicated magic system or a lengthy history lesson.

Readers who enjoy expansive classic fantasy may also appreciate our guide to The Lord of the Rings book order. Narnia offers a different reading experience, with shorter adventures and a more conversational narrative voice.

Religion and Elements That May Divide Readers

Christian themes are central to Narnia, particularly in the portrayal of Aslan and the treatment of sacrifice, redemption and belief. For me, those themes did not take away from the storytelling. They gave the adventures another layer to consider.

Readers do not need to share Lewis’s faith to enjoy the books, although those looking for fantasy without religious symbolism should know how prominent it becomes.

Some aspects may also feel dated to modern readers. The portrayal of Calormen and the treatment of Susan, especially in the final book, can raise questions about cultural stereotypes, gender and belonging. These are worthwhile subjects for discussion when reading the series with children or returning to it as an adult.

Narnia’s influence also makes it an interesting companion to later portal fantasy. For an adult novel that questions the expectations surrounding magical worlds, read our review of Lev Grossman’s The Magicians.

Latest Narnia News: Greta Gerwig’s New Movie

As of October 13, 2026, Netflix’s confirmed schedule for Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew is:

• February 10, 2027: IMAX sneak previews begin.
• February 12, 2027: Global theatrical release, including IMAX.
• April 2, 2027: Netflix streaming release.

Gerwig wrote and directed the film, which explores Narnia’s creation. Netflix has released first-look photographs and confirmed a cast that includes David McKenna, Beatrice Campbell, Emma Mackey, Daniel Craig, Carey Mulligan and Meryl Streep.

The most recent discussion has centered on Streep voicing Aslan. In its October 4 report, the Associated Press described objections from some conservative Christian commentators. Importantly, casting a woman to provide the voice does not establish that the character has been rewritten as female.

For the adaptation details, visit our Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew movie guide. Readers interested in the literary question can explore what Lewis’s books actually say about Aslan.

News sources: Netflix’s September 22 announcement and the Associated Press’s October 4 casting report.

Where Should New Readers Start?

For a first read, I recommend The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. It introduces Narnia through discovery, allowing readers to experience the world’s mystery alongside Lucy.

The Magician’s Nephew comes first chronologically and is a reasonable choice if you specifically want to read the book behind Gerwig’s movie. However, starting with the wardrobe leaves some origin-story explanations for later, which can make that prequel more rewarding.

If you would like to read the entire series, browse The Chronicles of Narnia seven-book collection on Amazon.

Should You Read The Chronicles of Narnia?

Yes. I recommend Narnia to readers who enjoy imaginative settings, accessible adventures and stories where courage involves admitting mistakes as well as facing danger.

The writing and worldbuilding make it easy to understand why these books have remained popular for generations. Their religious themes and some dated elements will affect readers differently, but there is still plenty here to enjoy and discuss.

Whether you are discovering the wardrobe for the first time or returning before the new movie, Narnia remains a rewarding fantasy world to explore.

Until next time, happy reading!

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