Ratings: 4/5
Synopsis: When Digory and Polly are tricked by Digory's peculiar Uncle Andrew into becoming part of an experiment, they set off on the adventure of a lifetime. What happens to the children when they touch Uncle Andrew's magic rings is far beyond anything even the old magician could have imagine . Hurled into the Wood between the Worlds, the children soon find that they can enter many worlds through the mysterious pools there. In one world, they can encounter the evil Queen Jadis, who wreaks havoc in the streets of London where she is accidentally brought back with them. When they finally manage to pull her out of London, unintentionally taking along Uncle Andrew and a coachman with his horse, they find themselves in what will come to be known as the land of Narnia.
Review: The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis published in 1955. Before I begin I should probably address the fact that the reading order of The Chronicles of Narnia series is a topic in which many people are passionate about. Whilst many believe that they should be read in the order they were published, in which The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe is the first book, others myself included, feel the need to read the series in chronological order (starting at The Magician's Nephew).
Before reading this book, I would recommend keeping in mind the fact that this story is obviously meant to be enjoyed by young children. It seems to me that many people over-look this statement when they read the book, and it is therefore criticised for it's almost overly-simplified story line and stereotypical evil-for-no-reason protagonist. Keeping this statement in mind, The Magician's Nephew is easily enjoyable. Whilst I will always recommend that this book should be the first to read in the series, it is almost twice as interesting for people who began the series with The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe because it answers many questions such as the origins of the infamous lamppost, and how Queen Jadis came to be along with the wardrobe.
Whilst this book can be disagreeable to some people due to its obvious Christian themes and outdated ideas about gender roles, it makes up for it due to Polly and Digory's bumbling idiocy, and Lewis' simplistic yet imaginative writing. Whether you start the series off with The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe or never continue the series after The Magician's Nephew, it's an interesting book that, with the right frame of mind, is enjoyable for any and all ages. I truly believe this is a book everyone should read at least once.