I actually enjoyed this book more than The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, although that could be because I was less familiar with it. It provides a fascinating background for the series, but is itself filled with action and great characters. ( )

I really liked this book, and the series for that matter. I enjoyed reading this book from the perspective of Digory, knowing that this is just the beginning to a series that doesn't necessarily include him. This book was exciting and full of adventure that I feel sure would keep an audience of students listening. The books in these series would make an easy writing lesson by having the students write similar stories about particular events, that are extravagant. ( )

C.S. Lewis' The Magician's Nephew, book 1 of the Chronicles of Narnia, gives the reader an enchanting introduction to the magical land of Narnia. In this unforgettable story, British schoolchildren Polly and Digory inadvertently tumble into the Wood Between the Worlds, where they meet the evil Queen Jadis and, ultimately, the great, mysterious King Aslan. We witness the birth of Narnia and discover the legendary source of all the adventures that are to follow in the seven books that comprise the series.

The Magician's Nephew is a compelling read. It is clear from the beginning that the wonderful imagination of C.S. Lewis is what has kept these books alive for all these years. I very much enjoyed reading this classic of children's fantasy literature. ( )

If you're my age, or older, then The Magician's Nephew is the penultimate book in the Chronicles of Narnia. To those younger than me, even by a few years, Nephew is the first book.

Granted, when I was younger, and first read this book, I realized it as a prequel (though I think it was before that word was canonized). I did not, however, realize the NEW order of the books until I saw the Walden Media-produced theatrical film with my wife and her siblings, all younger. I was quite surprised to hear them wonder aloud why they started with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

I said, "Because, It's the first book."

To which they said, "But the first book is The Magician's Nephew!"

It was then that I realized that someone had reordered the books, and published them like so, and my in-laws were thus in possession of a set ordered chronologically. I, myself, order my books via internal chronology, when possible, but I found it odd that people actually believed that TMN was book, the first.

Perhaps it's just me.

Nevertheless, book, the (chronologically) first is where I will start. This book sets the foundation of the mythos of Narnia, in which we see the creation of Narnia, the origin of the Wardrobe, and the backstory of Jadis, the White Witch.

If you have read one Narnia book, you have most likely read this one. That, or you've read LWW. In the latter case, if you enjoyed that Narnia tale, you may find it worth your while to work through the remaining books until you find a copy of TMN sitting in your hands. I suggest, at that time, that you read it. ( )

So many things happen throughout the book ( )

This is the first book of The Chronicles of Narnia collection. In this book it is told how Narnia as well as other magical worlds are created. This adventure begins when two friends Polly and Digory, who live in London get tricked by Digory's magician uncle Andrew. Andrew practices magic on the two friends and a place called Charn is created and how the two meet a lion, Aslan, for the first time. Also, there is an introduction to a Queen named Jadis who ruled in Charn and later becomes known as the White Which as well as the creation of a magical wardrobe. ( )

This book tries to explain how the world of Narnia came into being and how our worlds got connected. In my opinion they would've been better left unexplained. I preferred Narnia as a children's fantasy world, which might not really exist.

The creation scene of Narnia by Aslan's song is quite biblical, and the fact that Aslan can create and traverse worlds takes away a lot of his charm.

Perhaps if I had read this book first, I would have liked it. Now it's just unneeded. ( )

This is the first book in The Chronicles of Narnia series, and is a wonderful example of modern fantasy that readers of all ages will love. This story introduces readers to characters and places that they will grow to know more thoroughly in the books that follow. It also introduces readers to the fictional world of Narnia, where fascinating creatures help the readers understand more deeper and complex themes of good and evil, justice, love, and friendship. Overall, I would highly recommend the Narnia series for any reader. ( )

Hokay. So. There’s part of me that doesn’t want to give this book its due because… well, essentially, from what I understand of its history, it is in some sense “Christian propaganda”. Not that I think that that detracts from a good story, but there’s something about sneakily inserting something about religion on children that creeps me out a bit. Actually, though… this story was amazing. It felt a bit slow for the first couple of chapters, but I was captivated as soon as Diggery and Polly started exploring different worlds. The imagery was so rich and beautiful.

Diggery’s uncle likes to think of himself as a magician, and manages to create these rings that transport the wearer to this “in-between world”, where one only has to jump into a puddle to find themselves in another world. He sends Diggery’s friend Polly into this place and Diggery is forced to go in after her, following his uncle’s will. He then finds himself trying to keep a witch from another world from taking over his world, and all the other worlds that one may reach from this in-between place. He eventually gets to the newly-created world of Narnia, where Aslan the lion has just sung this new world to life. There is obvious Christian allusion in this story, but ignoring that, it’s supremely well-crafted. ( )

This book was very enjoyable. Some people have told me that the Narnia series is a hard read but this book at least was not. ( )

A tame beginning to a great series. ( )

We started this one a long time ago, and then stopped very near to the end. Then last night Patch says, "Let's go back to that green book." He didn't need to go back to the beginning. He didn't remember all of the characters, but the reading is pretty good pretty much wherever you jump in. He's enjoying the way that the animals try to feed Uncle Andrew. ( )

The first in the series, and while not made into a movie, this was a very enjoyable start to the adventures of Narnia. I liked reading about how Narnia came to be and how the foundations were built. It’s interesting reading about the alternative form of traveling to the other worlds/dimensions that you don’t hear about when watching the movie.

I also love how Lewis ties the story directly into The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, with the creation of the wardrobe by the tree.

This was so much fun and with a different tone and set of characters (except for one very important character) than all the others. I enjoy that Lewis has his children characters stand up to adults when they are behaving badly and against what children have been taught is good behaviour. The books have gotten better as the series moves on, if you read them in the order they were printed. ( )

In all the times that I've read The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, I don't think I've ever gotten to The Magician's Nephew. Kind of neat to read the "Genesis" of Narnia. ( )

The "prequel" of sorts to the rest of the Narnia series, "The Magician's Nephew" follows the story of Narnia's founding, from the creation of the country itself, to the crowning of its first rulers.
If you're already a fan of the series, it's really cool to see how all of Narnia came about -and it's important background to get to before you read "The Last Battle".
Like the rest of the Chronicles, it's a great fantasy book. ( )

The Magician's Nephew is a timeless classic. It sets the stage for the rest of the Narnia books. It gives us the history of Narnia and teaches some valuable lessons. In this book, it seems that the most prominent lesson is on the dangers of greed. This is a book for all ages and one day I plan to pass them on to my children. ( )

The first 3 chapters of this book were boring for me but I pushed through and I ended up throughly enjoying this book. I loved the Lion, The Witch and the Warbrobe as a kid and I vowed I would eventually read the entire series. This book was fun to imagin, especially the creation of Narnia and the siging of Aslan. A very feel good book for children about sticking to your values and doing what is right even when it is difficult. ( )

I never liked that this book explains the magic. This is also partially why I despise the notion that it should be read first. ( )

I never read this as a child; I wasn't into fantasy. I can't say I disliked the book completely, but I'm not so sure that I am not confusing liking it with liking the fact that I finely reached the end of the book. The book seems a bit beyond a child's spiritual development, and a bit tedious. I will withhold further judgment until I have finished reading the other books of the series. ( )

This book is about two children boy and girl named Digory and Polly. They travel into other worlds by the uncles’ magic rings. The rings take the children into a forest, with puddles of water. Each puddle is a different world. In the Churn world the children unlock a spell made on the witch. The witch is cruel to everyone. The children accidental bring the witch into their world. The witch causes ruckuses. The Digory slips his ring on making him, Polly, the uncle, Cabby (the cabman also his horse strawberry) and the witch into the forest. They all go into the puddle of Narnia, which is a new world with a lion in charge. Cabby and his wife became king and queen of Narnia. Digory was sent on a mission to retrieve an apple for the lion Aslan. He met the witch who tries to get Digory to eat the apple, yet the rule on the gate says not to eat the fruit. Digory returns the apple to the lion. The lion gives an apple to Digory for his sick mother to get better. Digory, Polly and the uncle return to their world. Digory gave the apple to his mother and they all live happily ever after.

I had so much fun reading a book. The little boy and girl were brave. This book is defiantly Fantasy story. In the story the witch throws and lamp post at the lion Aslan. The lamp post grows. The animals talk, also the apple represents youth, if one eats of it they live forever. I love Modern Fantasy; this book is great for youth to read. This book would be great to read for fun.

This book would be a great starter book. I would read the first four chapters. Then let the children read it by themselves, if desired. I would also encourage it as accelerated reading book. I could also encourage it as a book to read for fun. The class could discuss if they would go after their friend or not; also if they would ring the bell or not. This book would be great when referring to an advantage type of book. ( )

interesting book with characters that have special personalities. answers my question to the second book of the narnia series. the best part was at the part where digory went to get the 'special' apple for aslan. it was very intense at that part. ( )

I grew up in a family of avid readers, but didn't become one myself until about age 16. The Magician's Nephew introduced me into the wonderful land of fiction, and gave me my current love for reading. I consider it the first book I ever read, and my favorite above all others. Lewis is an excellent writer, and his talents clearly show in this novel. While most went looking for Narnia inside their wardrobes, I tried on every ring I could get my hands on to see if it would whisk me away to The Wood Between the Worlds. :D ( )

This book is a well written fantasy story. When you read this book it sends an image to your mind like looking at a painting. This book is based upon two ideas. The first is that at one point our world had magic in it. The second is that there are different worlds other then ours, they are not worlds like Mars and such but different dimensions. The story is about two kids named Digory and Polly who go to these other worlds and meet an evil witch, a talking lion named Azlan, and other talking animals. Their journey ends up in a special place called Narnia. I would recommend this book to anybody for it is a well written book. J.M. ( )

Great opening to such a captivating series. It seemes a bit longer than necessary. ( )