The Real first and Presumed first

Grey_Wolf · 12-24-2005, 03:56 PM

In the copy of The Narnia Septology which I have

Nr 1 is The Magician's Nephew
Nr 2 is The Lion, the witch and the wardrobe

Anyone concur with or contest this?

***Earniel*** · 12-25-2005, 06:23 AM

In my old septology The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is the first book of the series. And The Magician's Nephew is last or penultimate (I forget) but is called a 'prologue' to the whole series.

I suppose its place depends on whether you go by writing date or place in the story-timeline.

***Valandil*** · 12-25-2005, 09:42 AM

That's how I understand it.

Most people suggest that I read LWW first - what do you 'mooters say?

Serenoli · 12-25-2005, 12:17 PM

I agree with them. Even though The Magician's Nephew was chronologically first, it makes more sense reading them the way they were written. Its more of a flashback than a prologue, if you get what I mean.

Firekitten2006 · 12-25-2005, 03:14 PM

I just got the HUGE book with all 7 books in it and it says that although the Magicians Nephew was written after all the others, Lewis wanted it read first. It is as a prologue to the rest of them, as you see if you read it. (I'm reading it right now, and its slowing coming out and showing the background to the rest of the books).

durinsbane2244 · 12-25-2005, 09:04 PM

i think the lion should be read first, like the redwall books...

Lotesse · 12-25-2005, 09:55 PM

I think one should read whatever book one feels like reading first, it's all good. Read the last one first! Read 'em backwards, standing on your head and juggling, who cares as long as you read them. Plus, you'll never get the same effect by watching any of the little movies as you will from READing the books, so - read them. In whatever order you fancy, it really doesn't matter. Screw the movies; the books are the thing!!

durinsbane2244 · 12-25-2005, 10:10 PM

indeed

cee2lee2 · 12-25-2005, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lotesse

I think one should read whatever book one feels like reading first, it's all good. Read the last one first! Read 'em backwards, standing on your head and juggling, who cares as long as you read them. Plus, you'll never get the same effect by watching any of the little movies as you will from READing the books, so - read them. In whatever order you fancy, it really doesn't matter. Screw the movies; the books are the thing!!

Agreed...............but I don't think I would have enjoyed The Magician's Nephew as much if I had read it first. I started with LW&W and read in published order, enjoying the progression/revelation of the tale on through The Last Battle.

***Earniel*** · 12-26-2005, 04:36 AM

I feel likewise, cee2lee2. And most people I know seem to enjoy reading 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe' more than 'The Magician's Nephew' so it might indeed be the best start. But then again, everyone's different...

durinsbane2244 · 12-26-2005, 08:54 PM

i think that the lion should come first because it was written first, and thus it has an introductory element in it, so, as you read, you learn about narnia and how everything works, so you can then go on to the others knowing what Lewis means...

Wayfarer · 12-26-2005, 11:54 PM

The Magicians Nephew should definitely be read first. Reading them in the order they were written leaves that story as the odd one out in what is otherwise a chronological cycle relating the history of Narnia from it's creation to its destruction.

The various books in the series are also written in such a way that there isn't any reason not to read them in chronological order. The gaps and changes between each adventure are such that you really gain nothing by reading LWW first, since Narnia is re-introduced in each story as new characters are added and the veteran characters learn what's different this time around. Reading TMN first makes the most sense and is probably the most enjoyable, since it sets up for Jadis to become queen and helps explain the Lamp-post and the Wardrobe.

brownjenkins · 12-27-2005, 10:23 AM

what wayfarer said

Curubethion · 12-27-2005, 10:21 PM

I'm kinda undecided on this one. True, the proper chronology puts the background into place, but I think that's a mixed blessing. Consider an analogy to LOTR: in Hobbit, you didn't know any of the Ring's background. And if you did, that would totally have messed up your perception of the story. Instead, you got to discover, along with Frodo and Bilbo, what the Ring really was.
And I think that's what non-chronological reading is about: discovery of things, and then letting them all fit together.

***Rían*** · 12-28-2005, 12:57 AM

good analogy, Curubethion. I like the order they were published in. I like the "filling in the blanks" feeling.

brownjenkins · 12-28-2005, 09:49 AM

i agree, but there isn't really a huge amount of discovery in the magician's nephew... certainly not at anywhere near the same level as tolkien

***Rían*** · 12-28-2005, 01:57 PM

no, there's not, but there's still some discovery. I just like it the way I read it - a bit of hopping around, looking at different places and people, and some discovery along the way. Narnia is a different work from LOTR/Sil/etc. but I love them both!

brownjenkins · 12-28-2005, 03:59 PM

it definitely can work either way

BeardofPants · 12-28-2005, 08:38 PM

I read the LWW first, but I would have preferred to start with Magician's Nephew. I guess I'm in the MN-first crowd.

mithrand1r · 12-29-2005, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valandil

That's how I understand it.

Most people suggest that I read LWW first - what do you 'mooters say?

I read MN first, but this was after I saw the LLW cartoon.
I think I read the rest of the Narnia books, but I am not sure. I definitely read the SilverChair, LWW and MN.

I liked the MN. I do not think it makes much difference regarding the order you read the books. Although they are chronological, I think each book is mostly independent from the other books.

I think the Movie makers did a great job in portraying the White Witch. She is similar to my idea of her from MN. (Especially regarding her height.)

I am inclined to say read MN first, but I do not think you can go wrong regardless of which book you read first.

12-24-2005, 03:56 PM	#1
Grey_Wolf Elf Lord Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mirkwood, well actually I live in North-west Scania, Sweden Posts: 9,481	The Real first and Presumed first In the copy of The Narnia Septology which I have Nr 1 is The Magician's Nephew Nr 2 is The Lion, the witch and the wardrobe Anyone concur with or contest this? Last edited by Grey_Wolf : 12-25-2005 at 05:44 AM.

12-25-2005, 06:23 AM	#2
*Earniel* The Chocoholic Sea Elf Administrator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: N?n in Eilph (Belgium) Posts: 14,363	In my old septology The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is the first book of the series. And The Magician's Nephew is last or penultimate (I forget) but is called a 'prologue' to the whole series. I suppose its place depends on whether you go by writing date or place in the story-timeline. __________________ We are not things.

12-25-2005, 09:42 AM	#3
*Valandil* High King at Annuminas Administrator Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Wyoming - USA Posts: 10,752	That's how I understand it. Most people suggest that I read LWW first - what do you 'mooters say? __________________ My Fanfic: Letters of Firiel Tales of Nolduryon Visitors Come to Court Ñ á ë ?* ó ú é ä ï ö Ö ñ É Þ ð ß ® ™ [Xurl=Xhttp://entmoot.tolkientrail.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=ABCXYZ#postABCXYZ]text[/Xurl] Splitting Threads is SUCH Hard Work!!

12-25-2005, 12:17 PM	#4
Serenoli Head of the Department for the Invention and Propagation of Sugar, Spice and Everything Nice! Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Ithilien Posts: 852	I agree with them. Even though The Magician's Nephew was chronologically first, it makes more sense reading them the way they were written. Its more of a flashback than a prologue, if you get what I mean. __________________ "I meant," said Ipslore bitterly, "what is there in this world that truly makes living worthwhile?" Death thought about it. "Cats," he said eventually. "Cats are nice." -Terry Pratchett, Sourcery Join the Harry Potter discussion, click here

12-25-2005, 03:14 PM	#5
Firekitten2006 Elven Warrior Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: the US of A! But I wish i was in austraila, never been, just think it would be a fun place to live :) Posts: 372	I just got the HUGE book with all 7 books in it and it says that although the Magicians Nephew was written after all the others, Lewis wanted it read first. It is as a prologue to the rest of them, as you see if you read it. (I'm reading it right now, and its slowing coming out and showing the background to the rest of the books). __________________ I'm Baaaack!!

12-25-2005, 09:04 PM	#6
durinsbane2244 Dreamweaver Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: The Misty Mountains, where the spirits go... Posts: 3,560	i think the lion should be read first, like the redwall books... __________________ Lord, what fools these mortals be! ---------------- We are the music-makers, And we are the dreamers of dreams, Wandering by lone sea-breakers, And sitting by desolate streams; World-losers and world-forsakers, On whom the pale moon gleams: Yet we are the movers and shakers Of the world for ever, it seems. ---------------- Shanti, shanti, shantih...

12-25-2005, 09:55 PM	#7
Lotesse of the House of Fëanor Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 6,150	I think one should read whatever book one feels like reading first, it's all good. Read the last one first! Read 'em backwards, standing on your head and juggling, who cares as long as you read them. Plus, you'll never get the same effect by watching any of the little movies as you will from READing the books, so - read them. In whatever order you fancy, it really doesn't matter. Screw the movies; the books are the thing!! __________________ Few people have the imagination for reality. ~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

12-25-2005, 10:10 PM	#8
durinsbane2244 Dreamweaver Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: The Misty Mountains, where the spirits go... Posts: 3,560	indeed __________________ Lord, what fools these mortals be! ---------------- We are the music-makers, And we are the dreamers of dreams, Wandering by lone sea-breakers, And sitting by desolate streams; World-losers and world-forsakers, On whom the pale moon gleams: Yet we are the movers and shakers Of the world for ever, it seems. ---------------- Shanti, shanti, shantih...

12-26-2005, 04:36 AM	#10
*Earniel* The Chocoholic Sea Elf Administrator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: N?n in Eilph (Belgium) Posts: 14,363	I feel likewise, cee2lee2. And most people I know seem to enjoy reading 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe' more than 'The Magician's Nephew' so it might indeed be the best start. But then again, everyone's different... __________________ We are not things. Last edited by Earniel : 12-26-2005 at 04:41 AM.

12-26-2005, 08:54 PM	#11
durinsbane2244 Dreamweaver Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: The Misty Mountains, where the spirits go... Posts: 3,560	i think that the lion should come first because it was written first, and thus it has an introductory element in it, so, as you read, you learn about narnia and how everything works, so you can then go on to the others knowing what Lewis means... __________________ Lord, what fools these mortals be! ---------------- We are the music-makers, And we are the dreamers of dreams, Wandering by lone sea-breakers, And sitting by desolate streams; World-losers and world-forsakers, On whom the pale moon gleams: Yet we are the movers and shakers Of the world for ever, it seems. ---------------- Shanti, shanti, shantih...

12-26-2005, 11:54 PM	#12
Wayfarer The Insufferable Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 3,333	The Magicians Nephew should definitely be read first. Reading them in the order they were written leaves that story as the odd one out in what is otherwise a chronological cycle relating the history of Narnia from it's creation to its destruction. The various books in the series are also written in such a way that there isn't any reason not to read them in chronological order. The gaps and changes between each adventure are such that you really gain nothing by reading LWW first, since Narnia is re-introduced in each story as new characters are added and the veteran characters learn what's different this time around. Reading TMN first makes the most sense and is probably the most enjoyable, since it sets up for Jadis to become queen and helps explain the Lamp-post and the Wardrobe. __________________ Disgraced he may be, yet is not dethroned, and keeps the rags of lordship once he owned

12-27-2005, 10:23 AM	#13
brownjenkins Advocatus Diaboli Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Reality Posts: 3,767	what wayfarer said __________________ Your reality, sir, is lies and balderdash and I'm delighted to say that I have no grasp of it whatsoever.

12-27-2005, 10:21 PM	#14
Curubethion Fenway Ranger, Lord of Red Sox Nation Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: College! Posts: 1,976	I'm kinda undecided on this one. True, the proper chronology puts the background into place, but I think that's a mixed blessing. Consider an analogy to LOTR: in Hobbit, you didn't know any of the Ring's background. And if you did, that would totally have messed up your perception of the story. Instead, you got to discover, along with Frodo and Bilbo, what the Ring really was. And I think that's what non-chronological reading is about: discovery of things, and then letting them all fit together. __________________ Adventure...betrayal...heroism... Atharon: where heroes are born. My wife once said to me—when I'd been writing for ten or fifteen years—that I could always go back to being a nuclear engineer. And I said to her, 'Harriet, would you let someone who quit his job to go write fantasy anywhere near your nuclear reactor? I wouldn't!' (Robert Jordan)

12-28-2005, 12:57 AM	#15
*Rían* Half-Elven Princess of Rabbit Trails and Harp-Wielding Administrator (beware the Rubber Chicken of Doom!) Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Not where I want to be ... Posts: 15,254	good analogy, Curubethion. I like the order they were published in. I like the "filling in the blanks" feeling. __________________ . I should be doing the laundry, but this is MUCH more fun! Ñá ë?* óú éä ïöü Öñ É Þ ð ß ® ç å ™ æ ♪ ?* "How lovely are Thy dwelling places, O Lord of hosts! ... For a day in Thy courts is better than a thousand outside." (from Psalm 84) * * * God rocks! Entmoot : Veni, vidi, velcro - I came, I saw, I got hooked! Ego numquam pronunciare mendacium, sed ego sum homo indomitus! Run the earth and watch the sky ... Auta i lómë! Aurë entuluva!

12-28-2005, 09:49 AM	#16
brownjenkins Advocatus Diaboli Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Reality Posts: 3,767	i agree, but there isn't really a huge amount of discovery in the magician's nephew... certainly not at anywhere near the same level as tolkien __________________ Your reality, sir, is lies and balderdash and I'm delighted to say that I have no grasp of it whatsoever.

12-28-2005, 01:57 PM	#17
*Rían* Half-Elven Princess of Rabbit Trails and Harp-Wielding Administrator (beware the Rubber Chicken of Doom!) Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Not where I want to be ... Posts: 15,254	no, there's not, but there's still some discovery. I just like it the way I read it - a bit of hopping around, looking at different places and people, and some discovery along the way. Narnia is a different work from LOTR/Sil/etc. but I love them both! __________________ . I should be doing the laundry, but this is MUCH more fun! Ñá ë?* óú éä ïöü Öñ É Þ ð ß ® ç å ™ æ ♪ ?* "How lovely are Thy dwelling places, O Lord of hosts! ... For a day in Thy courts is better than a thousand outside." (from Psalm 84) * * * God rocks! Entmoot : Veni, vidi, velcro - I came, I saw, I got hooked! Ego numquam pronunciare mendacium, sed ego sum homo indomitus! Run the earth and watch the sky ... Auta i lómë! Aurë entuluva!

12-28-2005, 03:59 PM	#18
brownjenkins Advocatus Diaboli Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Reality Posts: 3,767	it definitely can work either way __________________ Your reality, sir, is lies and balderdash and I'm delighted to say that I have no grasp of it whatsoever.

12-28-2005, 08:38 PM	#19
BeardofPants the Shrike Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: San Francisco, CA <3 Posts: 10,647	I read the LWW first, but I would have preferred to start with Magician's Nephew. I guess I'm in the MN-first crowd. __________________ "Binary solo! 0000001! 00000011! 0000001! 00000011!" ~ The Humans are Dead, Flight of the Conchords