The Magician's Nephew, by C. S. Lewis

Most people who begin reading the Narnia series of books by C.S. Lewis begin with The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe, easily the most famous book in the series, and the one first written by C. S. Lewis. However, this book does not come first in the series, chronologically. This book is the first in the seven-part saga.

The Magician's Nephew begins with the young Diggory outside in the garden. Here he meets Polly and together the two begin to explore the long, connected attics of the adjoining houses in which they live. There is an effusive air of mystery and mischief in this section of the book. The attics are filled with relics of past tenants and dust.

They happen upon the workshop of Uncle Andrew, who is meddling with magic and the links between worlds. Polly touches a ring and disappears. Diggory soon follows. They are suddenly in another world, a forest filled with ponds which lead to further worlds.

Adventures ensue, which spill over into the world of London and black lamp-posts. And a certain black lamp-post spills over into the world of Narnia, which is still being born. Aslan, the lion, is creating the world when the children arrive there. They take part in this creation.

I think this is my favourite of the Narnia books, followed closely by The Silver Chair and Prince Caspian. Much has been made of the Biblical and Messianic references in the books of Narnia. And they are undeniable, but they do not affect the book adversely, but simply lend the world of Narnia a connection to our world, and make it somehow more believable. When I was younger, I wished fervently to visit Narnia, or Uncle Andrew's attic workshop, and to some extent, I still do. The Narnia series is looked down-upon by some critics because of its simplicity, but this makes it more haunting. Charn is still a fearful place, the wood is still mysterious, Uncle Andrew still pliable in the hands of the Witch.

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