The Last Battle (Chronicles of Narnia, #7)

Title: The Last Battle (Chronicles of Narnia, #7)

Author: C.S. Lewis

Published in: 1956

Date read: 8th March 2005

Score: 4/5

Genre: Fantasy, Classic, Childrens' fiction

Plot: (Warning, may contain spoilers):
"The Last Battle," published in 1956, is the seventh and final novel in C.S. Lewis's "The Chronicles of Narnia." It is the culmination of the entire series, bringing the story of Narnia to its apocalyptic end and exploring profound themes of judgment, sacrifice, false prophecy, and the nature of true faith.

The story begins in the very last days of Narnia. The land is in a state of decay and confusion. The elderly ape Shift gains influence over the simple-minded donkey Puzzle, whom he dresses in a lion skin, presenting him to the Narnians as the return of Aslan. This false Aslan is used by Shift, in league with the treacherous Calormenes, to trick the Narnians into servitude and exploit their resources. He even claims that Aslan and the Calormene god Tash are one and the same, introducing a corrupt and blasphemous syncretism.

King Tirian, the last King of Narnia, recognizes the deception and the immense danger. Desperate, he cries out for help and is answered by the arrival of two Pevensie cousins from England: Eustace Scrubb and Jill Pole (who appeared in previous Narnian adventures). They are the only "Friends of Narnia" who respond to Tirian's plea.

Together, Tirian, Eustace, and Jill attempt to expose Shift's fraud and rally the remaining loyal Narnians. They face immense opposition from the Calormene army, led by Rishda Tarkaan, and the growing despair among the Narnians who are being manipulated by Shift and the false Aslan. The conflict escalates into the titular Last Battle, a desperate struggle for the very soul of Narnia.

During this final, brutal confrontation, many loyal Narnians are slain, and the world itself begins to unravel. The climax is not just a physical battle but a spiritual one. As the forces of evil appear to triumph, the real Aslan finally appears, presiding over the end of Narnia. He judges all creatures, leading the faithful into a new, truer Narnia that exists beyond the old, a land that is "deeper up and further in."

The old Narnia is then destroyed, "folded up" by Aslan. The faithful Narnians, along with King Tirian, Eustace, Jill, and eventually the other Pevensie children (Peter, Edmund, and Lucy, with Susan notably absent), enter this new, eternal Narnia. They discover it is more real and vibrant than anything they had known before, a true paradise where they are reunited with beloved characters from throughout the series. "The Last Battle" is a poignant and powerful allegory for the end of the world, final judgment, and the promise of a new heaven and earth.

Comments:
Wonderful ending, well wrapped up.

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)