Just as the others... BA DA BA BA BA.. IM LOVIN IT!! ( )

I really liked how this book had the same characters in it as The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. I think that made it more enticing for me to read. I enjoyed the fact that in this world, the children had previously been Kings and Queens. I think that, if I were to read this to my class, it would be fun to have the kids make up a land where they ruled too. I think this is a great series to read aloud as a novel study because it has so much potential for the students to think critically and to get imaginative! ( )

It's been years since the Pevensie childen had been to Narnia, and when they get sweeped away while boarding a train, find themselves back in Narnia, though many, many years after their last visit.

Everything the know of Narnia has been changed, and the three find themselves in the midst of a war between the Telmarines, an invading race to Narnia.

They befriend dwarfs, badgers, a swashbuckling swordsmouse, and the rightful heir of the Telmarine dynasty, the titular character, Prince Caspian. Together they work to restore Caspian (the tenth Caspian of his dynasty) back to the throne in place of his usurping uncle Miraz.

While not as out-and-out EPIC as the Walden Media film made it seem, the book still has enough conflict and struggle to make it worth your Narnia-reading while. Recommended for fans of Lewis, especially those working through the Chronicles of Narnia. ( )

Better than the first Narnia book, great imaginative story, more content to please even grown-ups. The best part was the scheme of the two generals against Mizar, it was hilarious :) ( )

If one were to imagine C. S. Lewis’ seven Chronicles of Narnia as a large, rather dysfunctional group of relatives, I think Prince Caspian would be that difficult middle cousin nobody likes talking to—the black sheep of the family, if you will. Many fans consider it the worst of the series, while a sympathetic, defensive minority claims it as their favorite. Until the spring of 2008 I belonged to the former camp, but when I reread it during the excitement surrounding the release of the movie last year (a disappointment that I will try to gloss over) I realized what an incredibly powerful story it is. Now, reading it aloud to my younger sister, I find the magic is still there. Moreover, I cannot believe that I have read it and loved it for two years in a row!

At this point I should like to remind everyone that the book’s full title is actually Prince Caspian: The Return of Narnia. Why do I do this? Because I think it very important. The subtitle makes it clear that this is not only the story of a young Telmarine’s fight to overthrow his usurper uncle, but also of the Pevensies’ return to their former kingdom after thousands of years have passed in that world, but only one in their own. This duality is central to the tale, and gives the book its structure. Lewis interweaves his two plotlines, which eventually conjoin, in a series of blocks. First he devotes three chapters to the Pevensies as they try to discover together where they are after being called out of their world, then we get four chapters of Caspian’s story; after that there another three to four chapters showing the children’s journey to reach Caspian; finally, several more depict the simultaneous battle and romp by which Narnia is freed.

I have found that in discussing this book with other Narnia fans this indirect, non-linear construction is one of their primary complaints. It does not bother me much now, but I believe it was indeed one of the reasons that this Chronicle did not catch my imagination when I was younger. Another was the fact that there is relatively little action up until the “Sword and Sorcery” chapter about three-quarters of the way through. But this missing action frees up space for some simply superb character development. In this book one really begins to know the Pevensies as human beings. One sees Peter entering adulthood, Susan trying rather too hard to be an adult (isn’t it just like her, when they are all looking for food, to say that “it was a pity they had eaten the sandwiches so soon”?), Edmund beginning to atone for past wrongs, and Lucy growing in her relationship with Aslan. Indeed, her fan-named Walk of Faith is one of the book’s most beautiful and important passages, when she decides to follow Aslan through the forest even when the others cannot see them. Belief in times when doubt reigns supreme seems to be one of the book’s major themes, and one which differentiates it substantially from its predecessor The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, which otherwise shares the same Narnia-saved-from-evil-rulers-by-Pevensies-and-Aslan formula. In a superstitious but atheistic society it is left to such simple creatures as the Prince’s nurse, a half-dwarf doctor, and a hideaway badger to stay true, hope, and remember.

My five-year-old sister says this is her favorite of the Narnia books that we’ve read so far (we just finished Voyage); maybe it’s my newfound enthusiasm pouring over. Though it is still not my favorite, I recommend giving it another try. You might see it with new eyes. ( )

Book 4 in the Chronicles of Narnia Series, the second to be made into a film. I enjoyed this story much more than the previous, but I was also familiar with it having already watching the film. I liked the introduction of the new character, Prince Caspian, and his association with the kids, along with more about the time lapse only touched on during The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

Prince Caspian is the story of the children as they make their first return trip back to Narnia to find that hundreds of years have passed and there is a new king, and new conflicts that Narnia faces. Together with Prince Caspian, the children help restore Narnia to its former self.

This edition contains all seven Narnia novels in the order C.S. Lewis wished them to be read.

In The Magician's Nephew, Digory and his friend, Polly, are sent to another world by wearing rings created by Uncle Andrew. Here they unwittingly wake Queen Jadis, who creates havoc in 1900's London. This is a very interesting introduction to the beginning of Narnia by Aslan.

In The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Lucy and her brothers and sister travel to Narnia through a wardrobe at Professor Kirke's house. While in Narnia, they must help defeat the White Witch to help Aslan.

In The Horse and His Boy, Shasta runs away from home with a talking horse with the intent of going to Narnia. Along the way, they join with another talking horse and Aravis, who is escaping an arranged marriage.

In Prince Caspian, Caspian uses a magic horn to call Susan, Peter, Edmund and Lucy back to Narnia, although it is not the Narnia they remember. Together, they work to restore Caspian to his throne.

In Voyage of the Dawn Treader, Edmund, Lucy and their foul cousin Eustace are sucked into a picture onto Prince Caspian's ship, The Dawn Treader. They join him on a journey to the end of the earth, having adventures along and changing things while they journey.

In The Silver Chair, Eustace and his friend, Jill, are pulled back into Narnia to help find Prince Rilian, Caspian's son. They are helped along the way by Puddleglum a Marsh-wiggle.

In The Last Battle, Prince Tirian must fight agains Shift, The Ape, who says that Aslan is with him and wants to enslave all of Narnia.

These are magical books which will charm any child, young or old. ( )

People are so generally down on poor old Lewis these days that it's hard to remember sometimes that he wrote a jolly good story and that's why these books are still in print. I reread this after we'd watched the film and was amused to be reminded that the Telmarines were not, originally, swarthy and heavily-accented (= Hollywood-bad), but English and rather common … which would, I daresay, also be bad. Worth noting: Telmarine revisionist history ("duller than the truest bit of history you ever read, and more untrue than the most exciting adventure story"), Nikabrik's foolish contention that the enemy of one's enemy is one's friend – not such a good idea when you're talking about the White Witch – and, of course, the almost-Bacchanal, where you can almost hear Lewis pulling up in his head: "Whoa, wait a moment – children's book, children's book …" ( )

I had to read this for class and it was so boring that I hated reading it ( )

Whilst still very enjoyable I do not feel this book is as excellent as the famed Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe. Caspian at times is a very reluctant hero and there is a fine line between a big ego and not quite heroic enough! ( )

Experiences a significant drop in quality from The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Still better than the movie. ( )

read as a kid ( )

Continuing into the Narnia Chronicles, I found this book to bring back some of that good Narnian fun I had somehow missed in The Horse and His Boy. I would have liked it more had not so many years passed by (in Narnian time); I'm not really a fan of books with large time gaps between them. ( )

Prince Caspian is the second most read and well-known book in the Narnia series. Second to be written and published, most people reading it in the order of publication, manage to get through the second book. Like The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Prince Caspian has been made into a movie, a BBC mini-series, dramatic audio recording, and audio books.

In this book, Aslan is absent for most of the story. Lucy alone sees him, but chooses not to follow him because her siblings do not believe her as they didn’t see him. The main message of this book is that seeing is not believing, and faith comes from believing and leaning on those around you no matter what “reality” says nor how the odds seem to be stacked against you.

Like the rest of the Narnia books, Prince Caspian is written as a Christian Allegory. Trusting that God is with you, even when you don’t see or feel the evidence of his presence, and that He has planned for you to prosper, not fail.

Click for full review: http://thekoolaidmom.wordpress.com/20... ( )

Well, for some reason, I just love re-reading the Narnia Chronicles, even as an adult! I am not particularly religious, but I find the Lion quite compelling.

Prince Caspian, the 4th installment (chronologically, if not publish), brings back the original cast of characters and follows an adventure-quest plot more similar to The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Our heroes are pulled back to Narnia after some time, only to discover things are not as wonderful as when they left. The rulers of the land fear the woods and the sea, and oppress animals that can talk.

The crew arrives as school children, but morph into the warriors we know them to be, and lead the young Prince Caspian to victory, and a restoration of Narnia as the Lion intended.

This one is not my favorite Narnia book, but it is still a decent entry. You get the fun of kids and animals beating the "evil" adults (Talmarines), and of course it's good to have Aslan on your side. :)

PS - the movie is a poor representation of the book. The LWW movie was good, but on this one they lost the fun and focused too much on action... ( )

Thank Aslan for the return of Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy! ( )

Read to Kirk. #4 in the Narnia Chronicles.

Andrea Barelle
July 12, 2008
Book Review
EDCI 4120/5120
Summer, 2008

Lewis, C.S. (1951). Prince Caspian. New York; HarperCollins Publishers

GRADE LEVELS: 7-12

CATEGORY: FICTION; FANTASY

READ-ALOUDS: pages 3-5 (introduction); 77-81; 111-113; 146-150; 197-199

SUMMARY: This story continues to follow the journey of the Penvensie children. The story starts with the children at a train station a year later than from the ending of the previous book, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. They are whisked away back to Narnia. They almost immediately recognize where they are at and start to look around. They try to figure out why they have been brought back. They meet up with many new characters as well as many of the characters they already know. They eventually meet up with Prince Caspian who is running for his life. He is the heir to the throne, but his uncle, who is the king, wants him dead. The Penvensie children realize that someone had blown Aslan’s horn and that is what summoned them. The Penvensie children, with Caspian, and the creatures of the land battle with Caspian’s uncle Miraz to regain control of the land and restore order and peace. Aslan finally returns as the battle gets underway and the battle is won. Peter and Susan are told that they can never return to Narnia and the children go through a doorway and are returned to the train station where they left from.

THEMES: The themes in this book like the others in this series are courage and chivalry. The fact that there are knights, kings, and queens in this book sets the scene for a chivalric stage. Narnia has been corrupted and the true, noble, and loyal servants of the land are brought back to restore order. Caspian has to mature and learn before he can be ready to rule as a fair and rightful king. All the children, Caspian, and the inhabitants of the land must come together to beat the evil in the land. Other themes that can be looked at are guilt, coming of age, and religious connotations.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. How does Peter’s lack of humbleness affect him in Narnia?
2. Why doesn’t Aslan return right away?
3. Why can’t Peter and Susan return and what does this mean for them?


READER RESPONSE: I really liked this book as I liked The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe when I read it. I haven’t seen the movie yet, but I heard that it doesn’t follow the book very well. However, I didn’t have a premise to go off of. The book really explained a lot and I felt very fulfilled at the end. I think this book would be great to put on a book list for my students. I would teach it, but only if I could teach the whole series and that would take time that I might not have. It was fairly simple to read, but I feel like all different types of learners and readers would get something out it. It gave me the closure I needed from The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.

Slightly unfocused as the story is split between two narratives, and not as strong as its predecessor or successor (Caspian is a slightly colourless hero), but still classic.

I have been reading all the stories one by one, sucking them in. When I got to this book, it seemed like it took me forever! I was not impressed with this one, not in any way, like I was with the others. It is not even very good as a stand alone. The parts of the story that should have been small, minor details, continued on forever. The action and exciting important parts were done within a few paragraphs. When I was done reading this I felt as if I had skipped a chapter, thinking maybe I am missing something. I reread it. I felt the same after the second time. This one was by far the least magical, and the goosebumps and edge of your seat feeling never came. I still have the last couple to read, I don't think that this story did much benefit to the set of stories, nor did it take away. ( )

Prince Caspian (the character) isn't very interesting—since he is pretty sympathetic in the beginning he never takes the Lewis-ish journey from jerk to king. But there are battles, Old Narnians, bacchanalias, and Aslan turning kids into pigs, and that makes up for Caspian somewhat. ( )

This story is about the return of the Pevensies and Aslan to Narnia after an extended absence by each and, well, that's pretty much what you get. While filled with the careful descriptions and lovely characters that all the Narnia books have, there isn't very much story to be found in Prince Caspian.

Perhaps it would be improved if there were fewer scenes of people sitting around talking to each other. There is a lot of that going on. Yet when things do happen, there are fascinating glimpses into the Narnian world. I wish that Lewis had given more attention to the towns such as Beruna, where we briefly see a girls' school in session, and also to the origin of the Telmarines, who apparently are descended from pirates who came from Earth!

Due to the long absence of our heroes (somewhere between "hundreds and a thousand years"), the people of Narnia - who are technically Telmarines - doubt that they were ever anything more than stories. There is no belief in Aslan, the Pevensies, or Talking Animals by the humans who now live in Narnia, and so things are Bad. Knowing that Aslan is meant to be a Christ-analog, it's only too easy to equate these dark times in Narnia with our own post-Christ world, which Lewis doesn't seem to be terribly optimistic about.

There are, as in the other books, many moral lessons to be found here. I was struck by how it is Lucy, the youngest of the Pevensie children, who sees Aslan first and most easily. Isn't there a proverb about following children because they're the ones who know God best, or something like that? At another point, Lucy and Susan take part in a bacchanalia (quite literally - Bacchus and Silenus are both there), complete with what would probably be orgies if it weren't a children's book. We are told by Lucy that it's only because they are with Aslan that they make it through the party all right. I understood this to be a commentary on pagan rituals and the magical protection of Jesus against those evils.

Overall, I'm rather apathetic towards this book. As a child, I felt that I had to read it because it was important to read each book before moving to the next, but I didn't like it overly much. I feel quite the same way now - it's not a particularly good or bad book, but simply one that must be read to get through the series. ( )

The question about whether or not Narnia has towns and shops is answered here. Yes, Narnia does. Even though that still doesn’t explain whether or not the shops were functioning during Jadis’ one hundred year reign of terror.

Prince Caspian is definitely funnier than the previous book. Carrying fish in Edmund’s hat, that whole hilarious scene with the Bulgy Bear, the invention of the word “Grandcestors”-you often forget that C.S Lewis can be realy, really funny when he feels like it.

Wild Narnia actually is a bit frightening. I mean, wow.

http://thecosmicdance.insanejournal.c... ( )

I really like the premise of this section of the Narnia Chronicles, how Lucy, Edmund, Susan, and Peter – children still with their memories of their royal lives – move through time to appear far in Narnia’s future. I like how the world evolved, yet legends of the past lived on. I really enjoyed much of this book more than I’ve enjoyed any of the Chronicles thus far, although I thought it got too cutesy at the end with all the talking animals dancing.

Lucy: “Wouldn’t it be dreadful if some day in our own world, at home, men started going wild inside, like the animals here, and still looked like men, so that you’d never know which were which?” (p. 101) ( )