I started reading the books the summer the fourth book came out; my mom had the books, and I read through them in about a week. I liked them, and found the beginning of the first book enchanting: the very sound of the first chapter, The Boy Who Lived, lent a new wonder to Baby Jesus’ escape from Herod.

While I didn’t see the great, deep evils in them that were being purported by some who had never read them — children could NOT learn to do witchcraft from reading these books (it takes a special ability which one is born with; one needs a wand made with a magical core substance that doesn’t exist; there are creatures and plants that don’t exist in our world, etc.) — I did see some other dangerous things in the books as the series progressed.

One great problem that for Christians is that she does not have an orthodox view of Christianity. Potter dies — but does he? He only seems to die, and pretends to be dead until the right moment (docetism!). Dumbledore is betrayed and killed — or is he? He arranges his “betrayal” ahead of time with Snape (sounds like the Gospel of Judas, a gnostic gospel). I can see how these elements of the stories that echo orthodox Christianity could be very confusing for children, and could subtly influence their views of Scripture and what really happened. I’ve seen it before — there is a Russian novel, The Master and Margarita, which has led a few generations of Russians to the firm belief that Jesus was crucified because Pilate had a migraine that day.

I *think* if I ever have children I will discourage them from reading these books until they are at least in junior high and can begin to hold more reasonable discussions. I certainly hope to have the sort of relationships with my children where we can discuss things like these books, and dissect truth from lies.

But all that said, like you I see deep problems with the books, but still enjoy reading them.

Grace

I always live in hope when it comes to these films - I did when I heard Peter Jackson had been selected to direct LoTR; I looked at his ‘grim reaper’ type character in The Frighteners and thought, “ah, he’ll manage the Ringwraiths well at least.” And he did, although I would have preferred them less physically substantial than they turned out to be.

I love film; I love its power to bring a story to life, to combine visual art, musical excellence, powerful acting into something larger than the sum of its parts but the old saw, ‘with great power comes great responsibility’ is true even when it comes to filmmaking - and they have the power to distort, poison, and even destroy.

I am gingerly hopeful for Voyage of the Dawn Treader because they’re using a different director and team of writers (the folks who worked on Amazing Grace, the Wilberforce film) but after seeing this greenlit by Walden Media, I’ve got far less confidence in their judgment.

But, as you say, we’ve got the books! Just so long as new readers read ‘em in the order of publication, the order in which CSL wrote them. It may be fun for established readers to read the Narnia books in chronological order according to Narnian time but, we’re Earth humans, we don’t have to!

Thank you for this excellent review. I have not seen the movie yet, but it sounds as if I would have exactly the same objections and distresses which you experienced.

I feared greatly when I heard that they were going to make these into movies. It appears that my fears were justified.

Thank God (!) that the books live. We can take our loved ones to the true Narnia in them.