Prince Caspian (Chronicles of Narnia, #2)

Title: Prince Caspian (Chronicles of Narnia, #2)

Author: C.S. Lewis

Published in: 1951

Date read: 23rd November 2004

Score: 4/5

Genre: Fantasy

Plot: (Warning, may contain spoilers):
"Prince Caspian" is the second novel published in C.S. Lewis's "The Chronicles of Narnia," following "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" (though it is chronologically fourth in the series). Published in 1951, it tells the story of the Pevensie children's return to a Narnia vastly changed and oppressed.

The four Pevensie siblings – Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy – are waiting for their train to boarding school in England when they are suddenly pulled from their world by a magical force. They find themselves on an overgrown, deserted island, which they soon realize is the ruins of their old castle, Cair Paravel. They quickly deduce that centuries have passed in Narnian time since their last visit, though only a year has passed for them in England.

They learn they were summoned by Prince Caspian, the rightful heir to Narnia's throne. Caspian is a Telmarine, a race of humans who invaded Narnia centuries ago, conquering its original talking animals and mythical creatures. Under the rule of Caspian's cruel and tyrannical uncle, King Miraz, the Old Narnians (talking beasts, dwarves, fauns, dryads, etc.) have been driven into hiding, persecuted, and forced to deny their very existence. Miraz plans to kill Caspian so his own new-born son can inherit the throne.

Caspian, taught by his kindly tutor, Doctor Cornelius (a half-dwarf), learns of Old Narnia and uses Queen Susan's magical horn to call for help, inadvertently summoning the Pevensies.

The Pevensie children, now faced with a Narnia they barely recognize, embark on a perilous journey to find Caspian and help him. They are guided by Trumpkin the Dwarf, a sceptical but brave Old Narnian. Their adventure involves navigating dangerous forests, evading Miraz's soldiers, and re-learning to trust in the unseen power of Narnia.

Lucy, as always, is the first to see Aslan, the great Lion, but the others struggle with their faith. Aslan gradually reveals himself to all of them, guiding them, and helping them to rally the scattered Old Narnians.

The climax involves a decisive battle between Caspian's small army of Old Narnians and King Miraz's vastly superior Telmarine forces. Aslan also instigates a "duel" between Peter and Miraz, to decide the fate of the war and avoid further bloodshed. The novel culminates in the overthrow of Miraz, the restoration of Caspian to his rightful throne, and the beginning of a new era of peace and coexistence for all Narnians. The Pevensies, having fulfilled their purpose, are sent back to their own world, with Peter and Susan learning they are now too old to return to Narnia again.

Comments:
Before we start, in my defense, I am writing this 21 years after I read this. All that I can say is that I read it, enjoyed it and enjoyed it enough to go straight to the next one.

Books that we've read by C.S. Lewis (7):
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Chronicles of Narnia, #1) (1950), Prince Caspian (Chronicles of Narnia, #2) (1951), The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (Chronicles of Narnia, #3) (1952), The Silver Chair (Chronicles of Narnia, #4) (1953), The Horse and His Boy (Chronicles of Narnia, #3) (1954), The Magician's Nephew (Chronicles of Narnia, #6) (1955), The Last Battle (Chronicles of Narnia, #7) (1956)