Focus on the Family

Oh, Nick, I really feel ya in this story. Not that I'm an artist, not even close, but I definitely know what it's like to feel threatened by someone who comes along and seems to be better than you at something you felt was your strong point. Quite frankly, everything Nick feels here I have felt before, so this book hit me closer to home than most of the others in the series. The lesson Nick learns—to simply do your best and focus on using your talents and abilities in whatever way God has show more planned for you, rather than worry about comparing yourself to others—is a good one for everyone and even a good reminder for those who may have learned that in the past. Definitely one of my favorites in the series. McGee, Nick’s animated friend, isn’t as enjoyable on the page as he is on the screen, but I tend to just skim the all-animated sections now. These books may not be easy to find anymore, but if you do have the chance to read this book or procure it for an 8-10-year-old child, I recommend it. show less

This review is for the Focus on the Family Radio Theatre adaptation of The Magician's Nephew. This is the sixth book of the Chronicles of Narnia (in publication order), and tells the story of the creation of Narnia and how evil first came to that land. Digory Kirke and Polly Plummer are the first two children from our world to step foot in Narnia.

I love the spiritual parallels here. Because The Magician's Nephew isn't among my favorites of the Chronicles, I tend to not reread it very often, show more and so I think those parts are fresher to me. I loved the explanation of the fruit and how the Witch would always hate it because she ate it at the wrong time and without permission. It's also noted how people justify their actions by saying that "common rules" don't apply to them, because they are engaged in Great Things (piffle). There is a strong relation between the Deplorable Word and the atom bomb of our world... chilling. The genius of Lewis is in how he makes these ideas so simple — or rather, is able to strip away all the confusion we adults like to cloud them with.

The Focus on the Family Radio Theatre dramatization of this story is excellent. I have a few quibbles, but they are minor in light of the whole. They didn't make it quite clear enough that Uncle Andrew couldn't hear the animals speak. I think a lot of the comedy was lost in the description of how they tried to plant him, too. But the voice actor who played Uncle Andrew was wonderful, just as I imagined him. I also really liked the Cabby, Digory, and Polly. David Suchet's Aslan wasn't loud and overplayed either in this story. I think he is growing on me a bit.

Some parts of this story were very emotional for me, like when Digory withstands the temptation of the Witch about the apple and later brings an apple to his mother. The children are quite believable in their quarrels (though they never become irritating). The sound effects were excellent, and I liked the music especially during the Creation. They didn't try to overdo it.

All in all, this is another skillful adaptation that is well-executed and entertaining. I recommend it! show less

In an interesting take on the dangers of idol worship, both Nick and his normally wise father put all their hopes in a particularly athletic teen on their Little League team. Though the stakes are small compared to the lesson, it’s also a situation many of us have found ourselves in (probably with something other then baseball). It can be rough to be reminded that the only One you can really put your trust in is God, though on the other hand, life is certainly easier when we do remember show more that. Though I’m not much of a baseball person, I enjoyed this story overall. These books may not be easy to find anymore, but if you do have the chance to read this book or procure it for an 8-10-year-old child, I recommend it. show less

In publication order (which is the ONLY way to read these stories! ;-P), this is the second book in the Chronicles of Narnia. I just finished the Focus on the Family dramatization of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and enjoyed it immensely, and I had high hopes for the second book, though it is not a high favorite of mine among the other books of the series. But it's Narnia, and of course I still love it.

For the most part, those high hopes were fulfilled. Focus on the Family again show more treats us to a professional dramatization of a classic story, and the voice talents are exceptional. Many times the actor's voice was not how I had imagined it would be, but by their second or third speech I quickly became reconciled to it by the excellence of their performances. Trumpkin was one character in particular who really grew on me. I love that they kept his brilliant, comic dialogue from the book. I laughed aloud when he shrieked in exasperation at the paw-sucking Bulgy Bear, "You're doing it this very moment!"

David Suchet's Aslan was again badly overplayed, but his part was brief and not as glaringly unpleasant as in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Douglas Gresham's introduction and closing comments were quite interesting, and I enjoy his deep rolling voice.

I did hear one very awful, very egregious mistake in the script. I believe it's on the first disc of PC, track six, around 2:30–2:50, Caspian is talking about how his uncle Miraz killed his father, and how Miraz sent his Nurse away for telling Caspian stories of Old Narnia. But Caspian says, "My father sent her away." My father?!? I don't know how such an awful mistake was not caught by someone in the production — at the very least, the actor playing Caspian! Did he not think through his lines at all?

Another small quibble was how, when he told the children the story, Trumpkin kept calling Miraz "King Miraz." This struck me as very odd coming from one who was an active part of the movement against Miraz, that held that Miraz was no legal king at all, but a usurper. Why would a member of the rebellion call the enemy "King"? In Trumpkin's eyes, that was Caspian's title. In the book I believe they just call him Miraz.

Besides that, the script was very faithful to the original, which thrills the purist in me to no end! I enjoyed this production very much, and I can't wait for The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Recommended. show less