NARNIA READING ORDERS: Quick Explanation (Spoiler-Free)

Which of the CHRONICLES OF NARNIA should be read first? Is 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe' #1 or #2? Why are there two different orders? Which order works better? What did the author have to say? All these questions and more are answered in this series.
This first video is just a basic overview of why two orders exist.
Part 2 takes a look at how the order affects your reading experience: • NARNIA READING ORDERS ...
Part 3 is about C.S. Lewis' wishes: • NARNIA READING ORDERS ...
Publication order:
1. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1950)
2. Prince Caspian: The Return to Narnia (1951)
3. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (1952)
4. The Silver Chair (1953)
5. The Horse and His Boy (1954)
6. The Magician's Nephew (1955)
7. The Last Battle (1956)
"Chronological" Order:
#1 The Magician's Nephew
#2 The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe*
#3 The Horse and His Boy*
#4 Prince Caspian: The Return to Narnia
#5 The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
#6 The Silver Chair
#7 The Last Battle
*HHB actually takes place during LWW, not after.
C.S. Lewis ("Jack") died on November 22, 1963, just over thirteen years after publishing the first Narnia book.

[@Glumpuddle]

Lewis suggested chronological order to a fan who was RE-reading the series. NOT to a first-time reader.

[@derekicenhour8647]

Exactly! I just said the same thing above. (I'm late to the party here, I know.) I recommend this for ANY book series where the author has gone back to write prequals. Stick to publication order for the first read through.

[@da-vidcargill4975]

like starwars movies

[@Danlovar]

I read them in the chronological order the first time...

[@abrahemsamander3967]

Yes! That’s what I was thinking. Read publishing order first. But on a reread, try chronological. See how all the books piece together.

[@chucksolutions4579]

@@Danlovar Have you read them in publication order or only the one time?

[@limesquared]

Order of publication. The way I picture it Lucy and Tumnus must come first. The lampost is more mysterious if you know nothing about it. Also The Magician's Nephew is more complicated. I like the simplicity of the beginning of LWW

[@buzzybeepopman2009]

I agree and I feel like being introduced to Narnia in general is more exciting with Lucy finding the wardrobe than it being the second book much better as reading as book number one

[@buzzybeepopman2009]

@Allan Montes Casaña yeah I tried it in the past but just ditched it and started reading it in publication order so much better tbh

[@johnstriker480]

Instead of Hollywood pointlessly “remaking” all these Disney Classics (ie. fixing what isn't broken) , what about dedicating the time, money, energy, & effort to make the rest of the NARNIA books into movies? 😮❓📚

[@bigonbooks4736]

Netflix bought the rights and are doing a "Universe" of sorts with series and movies.

[@luismenezes8261]

I've read the Chronicles of Narnia from a big single volume book I own which contain all 7 books in chronological order. I personally prefer this way because it tells the beginning of Narnia. It is interesting to see how some characters, that later appear in the following books, got to be who they are. I guess Disney's strategy of starting a movie saga with the lion, the witch and he wardrobe, wasn't because they wanted to follow the publication order, but rather because that book has a lot to offer for a movie.

[@smithbosworth4622]

There are THREE ways to read the books. 1. Order of Publication, 2. Chronologically, and 3. Order in which they were Written. I COMPLETELY AGREE that the order of PUBLICATION is the best.

[@alexandrebonetti4687]

Gh

[@MrKneeV]

I was going to make this same comment. I read it in the order in which it was written twice in order just to get a feel for the evolution of his writing style throughout the series.

[@wanderluster953]

@@Chappie432 same,i prefer reading it in chronological order than the publication order you can understand it better when you read the magician's nephew and then watch the lion the witch and the wardorbe.

[@derekicenhour8647]

My preference would be to read them in publication order first, because of the way characters and ideas are introduced as the writer develops them. Then later readings are interesting to read in the order of internal chronology. I've done this with other series as well, including Anne McCafferey's "Dragon Riders of Pern" and Asimov's "Robots", "Foundation", and "Empire" stories. Of course with Asimov, the fun can be in combining all three series into a single narrative chronology.

[@kingx101]

My mother read and re-read these books to my siblings and I for years. I believe the first 2 or 3 times we went through the series, we read in publication order. Eventually, we read them in chronological order. While I think it is great to read in publication order the first time, chronological order works just fine for a subsequent read-through.

[@bilbobaggins9610]

Publication order is so much richer...in my opinion. You would never get excited about the lamppost growing in MN if you hadn't read LWW several books earlier. Just one example.

[@isabellaherice4619]

Bilbo Baggins Help! My local library totally tricked me and I got the magician’s nephew and I’m loving it so far but now everyone’s saying that I should read in publication order and now I don’t now what to do!!!

[@Darkrider6970]

@@isabellaherice4619 Chronological order is just as good if not better.

[@Glumpuddle]

Publication Order! Without a doubt. Anyone who really knows what they're talking about, including most C.S. Lewis scholars, will tell you publication order all the way. If it feels weird ignoring the numbers on the spine, just remember: This is the order Lewis originally published them in. This is the order they were read in for years, and most fans still read them in that order. So, LWW first! :)

[@zpozuniverse4562]

Glumpuddle 0:22 yup the narnia lawsuit waiting to happen and how to get to narnia?

[@WhovianRoxas]

I agree with you. Like you said, I think it's best to read them in publication order if you're just now starting to read the series and then read them in chronological order or any other order afterwards.

[@stillhuntre55]

I used to work in a video store, and a guy told me he was introducing his kid to the (then six) Star Wars films and was wondering if they should watch in release order, or chrono order (prequels first). I was like, "Well, do you want the 'I am your Father!' moment to be exciting and shocking and a big reveal? Cuz it won't be if he's just seen the prequels." The guy looked at me and said, "Oh Riiiighhtt!! Good call! Yeah!"......... always watch ead stuff in the order the creator made them - because all the scares and reveals etc are based on the story and world they have shown us "thus far".

[@PhelanVelvel]

I don't know what Lewis was thinking when he suggested the chronological order. In my opinion, for your first time reading them, you simply MUST read them in publication order, or at the very least, do, DO read LWW first. And if you can't even manage that, DON'T read The Magician's Nephew before LWW. You will never get another chance to experience it for the first time. The Magician's Nephew reveals so much about the history of Narnia and it will mean so much more to you if you've read LWW.

[@timothyheimbach3260]

He was suggesting it for re-reading.

[@Glumpuddle]

That's not exactly correct. The name change and the order change are two unrelated issues. In the original British text, Lewis wrote Maugrim. For the USA edition, he changed it to Fenris Ulf. Both editions existed for decades. When Harper took over the USA publishing in 1994, they decided to start using the original British text. Since then, the British text has been in use worldwide. Lewis made other changes for the American version. (Most notably the end of the Dark Island chapter in VDT)

[@chrisamador1216]

I honestly don't care what order anyone reads the books, as long as you start with The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe first! As for the rest, I don't think it matters AS much. some people prefer reading them in publication order, and I'm guessing most young kids (like I did) prefer to read them in chronological order, so it depends on who's doing the reading.

[@JoubertGiannechini]

In the Italian version of the Lion, the Wicth and the wardrobe they've changed the part where C.S. says:" ...none of the children knew who Aslan was anymore than you do " for something like ..."who this Aslan was who was supposed to arrive or had already arrived" a bit confusing or even wrong coz those were not C.S. words. Now we know they've changed some parts in order to make it sound "right". At least in the Italian version. Even though I'm reading in the publication order but noticed this alteration. Peace

[@thenationaltimelyactionhou9328]

I love this series, C. S. Lewis was a great writer who really inspired me.

[@markpettis2896]

what struck me about the lion and the witch and the wardrobe you are holding up with the cover to the magicians nephew is that is the cover that I found in England under puffin book For the magicians nephew and not The American copies to the magician nephew this was in the 60s when I discovered Narnia as a child I’m an American person who spent two years of his childhood In England and that’s where I discovered Narnia

[@misseli1]

Ironically when I first read (most of) the books, I read them in a completely random order. I did happen to read "The Lion, the Witch, & the Wardrobe" first because my sister bought a copy that was released in celebration of the 2005 film. But the later ones I read were copies my 8th grade English teacher lent to me at random. If I recall correctly, I think I read "The Magician's Nephew," then "The Horse and his Boy," then "The Silver Chair," and finally "The Last Battle." Funnily enough I didn't read "Prince Caspian" and "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" until recently when I finally decided to read through the whole series, this time in publication order. Maybe next time I'll read it in chronological order.

[@AmandaBear26]

It's funny that the Redwall books have the same issue. When I was a kid, I tried to read the Redwall books in the chronological order, so I started with Lord Brocktree, but I was bored to tears. So I should have started with Redwall because it sets up the whole world and the history. :(

[@chunged_bung3771]

this gives me monogatari flashbacks lol

[@StephenWong14]

As a kid I read TMN first. I will never forgive HarperCollins for messing up the order.

[@MegaAlexis92]

I’m starting to read these books so I’m going to read them by the publication order based on what you have said

[@ianw.5047]

Im making a book and c.s Lewis is my main inspiration for my world. I like how Narnia and the other country's are sort of childish compared to Middle earth. I think sometimes a complicated world for fantasy gets too complicated and the story is sort of lost , Tolkien did it great (of course) but other authors forget this.

[@Glumpuddle]

Nope, just didn't bother putting TV makeup on.

[@Emma-mp4ci]

Crap. I've ordered the magicians nephew online believing I was supposed to read that first. What do I do now then? In my mind it would make sense to read them in chronological order but I don't want things to be confusing for myself when going through the series.

[@nmoney6655]

You should still read the magicians nephew

[@pastanro]

If you read TLB first, you won't understand it all.

[@Glumpuddle]

I agree, and so did Lewis. An 11-year-old boy wrote to Lewis in 1957 asking which order he should RE-read the books in. Lewis suggested chronological order, but didn't have a strong opinion either way. Some people try to use this letter to make the case that Lewis actually believed all readers should follow chronological order. Nonsense. I'll cover this in the third video.

[@joshuaignacius9765]

I enjoy both because I just read lion,witch and the wardrobe in school and I love the three movies so I think I’ll go LLW,Horse and his boy,Caspian,dawn treader,silver chair,magicians nephew and then the final battle

[@bigonbooks4736]

I have the huge book which has the books in chronological order, so I read it chronologically first because that's how I grew up reading them. I'm going to reread them but unsure if I want to read them in publication order. To me, the most interesting stories have the Pevensie children in them and reading through them the first time I could barely get through some of them, but pushed through to read the Pevensie books. If not for chronological order I might've just stopped after reading Voyage of the Dawn Treader and gone straight to Last Battle.

[@babbisp1]

Nts 3:00

[@deejitv]

This was great

[@jaredofmo]

My personal opinion is read them in publication order first, then when you re-read, do whatever order you wish. You can do it chronologically and enjoy the rich history of Narnia as established in the series.

[@gordonwieland2133]

This is a little off topic, but it relates to the HarperCollins edition. They not only renumbered the books, they also did some editing or, at least in one case, misediting. In The Last Battle, chapter 11, The Pace Quickens, when Tirian is about to lead his followers into battle, the text in previous editions reads: "Bethink you, Sire," said Poggin, "that here we have the good wooden wall of the stable at our backs. If we advance, shall we not be encircled and get sword-points between our shoulders?" "I would say as you do, Dwarf," said Tirian, "were it not their very plan to force us into the stable. The further we are from its deadly door, the better." HarperCollins changed the phrase "were it not their very plan to force us into the stable" into a question. This now makes no sense, since Poggin was arguing that they should stay close to the stable in order to avoid being attacked from behind, and Tirian was giving his reason for not choosing that approach, which, were it not for the Calormene's plan to force them into the stable, would have been the better choice.

[@OntheRunmovie2012]

Hi, Before this video, I preferred 'chronological order', now, I'm looking at it a different way. Thanks for this, and looking forward to the second video.

[@jessjms1181]

Probably read publication order first then when rereading read chronological

[@monolith94]

Chronological order is trash.

[@jswrner]

Omg I'm going to start reading should I use the publication order?

[@bettyamiina3933]

Which is better the chronicle or the publication so read the story in order of the Chronicle!

[@hilltopper2017]

Thanks! I'm already half way through LWW. It's so good! Which one of the 7 books is your favorite?

[@derekicenhour8647]

Easily "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" is the best in the series. But all of them have something to recommend them, depending on my mood, and what I want to get out of my current reading.

[@nmoney6655]

@@derekicenhour8647 I like the horse and his boy better

[@NicolasWaldvogel]

indeed! good job! between gp: where you sweating during this video?

[@adamieie]

wow, you put a lot of work in this, clearly. very nice work!

[@louisemccully6321]

Hi, Could I get permission to use this video by embedding in an online exhibit for ConZealand 78th World Science Fiction Convention? It is being run virtually in 1.5 weeks. Thanks

[@tomn6800]

I don’t think he will answer since this video came out 7 years ago. But I think it’s fine, showing KZbin videos in public doesn’t require permission, as long as they’re not paying extra to see the video.

[@Durant1978]

If you read MN first, it takes the magic out of LWW

[@danielsan3681]

Thank you. 🙂

[@hilltopper2017]

As a person reading this series for the very first time what do you suggest in order for me to enjoy the series? PLEASE ANSWER SOON I WANNA GET READING :)

[@robertodimas7429]

@DOCTORFM1 what about for me who's about to begin

[@denise3648]

thanksss!!!

[@MindPalaceASMR]

Great presentation, I'm looking forward to the next video! I read the series in chronological order and it made sense to me except for the Horse and his Boy

[@ThePeacefulArtist]

I thought Horse & His Boy was when the Pevensie where all a bit older, not right after LWW just the way I read it, and how the King of Calormen.

[@briancarr6567]

LWW ends with the Pevensies growing up as kings and queens and then stumbling back out of the wardrobe. HHB takes place during their reign. :)

[@ThePeacefulArtist]

I always felt in HHB they where much older than during LWW ruling, not by much but more into their teens and Peter later teens almost 20. I'd say it is all up to the reader if they feel the Pevensie's where older during the HHB and LWW. That's just what I felt when reading HHB vs LWW. -Quinn

[@Glumpuddle]

ThePeacefulArtist Thanks for the comment. :) It is not possible for the Pevensies to be older in HHB. HHB is one of the many adventures the kids had while ruling Narnia after defeating the White Witch... before falling out of the wardrobe again. The next time they visit Narnia is in PC when they are kids again. The opening lines of HHB say the story takes place "in the golden age when Peter was High King." In chapter 12, Lewis clarifies that the golden age was "when the Witch and the Winter had gone and Peter the High King ruled at Cair Paravel." According to Lewis' timeline, HHB takes place about a year before the end of LWW.

[@ThePeacefulArtist]

Ah that makes so much sense now! Yeah When I watch your videos on Narnia makes me wish they had you directing the movies, I would help. It isn't that hard to make the movies have justice to the great books. I am really busy in College at Green Mountain College but I am going to re-read the books on my break. My first channel I had here on KZbin was NarniaGeek14 I felt so weird making videos because you are so awesome at pointing out how I felt about the 2005 The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe, Prince Caspian, The Return To Narnia 2008 and I could bare to watch the trailer to The Chronicles Of Narnia - The Voyage Of The Dawn Treader 2010. The books mean so much to me they where the first chapter books I read all on my own and helped me deal with the bullying I faced and watching your videos made me wish I could be friends with you and your younger brother. My older brother who I believe older than you he's 26 anyways he had gotten The Chronicles Of Narnia Series back in 1995 from our Aunt Linda and Aunt Maddie, yet he never read them.. Back in 2004 I saw them on Micah's bookshelf and asked if I could take them. He just gave them to me and I was hooked. I had watched the The Lion, the Witch, & the Wardrobe (BBC 1988) Before reading the books and I remember loving it, granted I was about 6 and then when reading the book I wondered why I loved the BBC version. I mean it's okay but the book is of course so much better. I hope I didn't write to much. You are such an awesome person Brian. and I didn't know if it was okay to "friend" you on Facebook. -Quinn

[@comikxguy]

Glumpuddle i think for reading them this way is best - There are THREE ways to read the books. 1. Order of Publication (for new readers) 2. Chronologically (for those who already read them), and 3.Order in which they were Written. then get the narnia companion

[@NicolasWaldvogel]

@ gpuddle: yes I can see that. Not to be rude but a bit too much of it don't you think? Anyway great video.. I read them (for the 1st time) in publication order.. Makes sense but after that in my opinion it doesn't really matter in which order you read them cause every book has a concluded story for itself..

[@Kyloxdatachannel]

It can happen to anyone, for instance, Akira Toriyama forgot plenty of details of his own works, including forgetting he himself created Goten. J. K. Rowling has made a couple of questionable statements, one of the most famous was a tweet saying "Snape sacrificed himself to save wizarding world". But anyone who read the books, especially recently, would feel that wasn't his main intention, it was more of an atonement for his bad actions and mistakes. Yes authors can make mistakes and forget details, even characters altogether.

[@randalcopley630]

maybe if you talked a little faster I could understand

[@bettyamiina3933]

It is not what the reader thinks but what The Author thinks.!!!!!!!

[@wanderluster953]

I prefer reading it in chronological order eventhough i have watched the movie. I feel like i can more understand the lion the witch and the wardrobe whe you read the first book which is the magician's nephew.