It is the golden age in Narnia, and the reigning monarchs (Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy) are ruling the land well. It is not so elsewhere. Shasta, orphaned and serving a harsh master in the equally harsh land of Calormen (south of Narnia, across a vast desert) is about to be sold into slavery when he discovers a talking horse (Narnian, named Bree, and desperate to go north himself). Together they escape and eventually join up with fellow escapees Aravis (girl) and Hwin (talking horse). But as they head north, they catch wind of a terrible Calormene plot to conquer Narnia and Archenland. Can the horses and children warn the northern countries in time?
I enjoyed this tale well enough, but it doesn't seem to quite compare with the other Narnia books I've read to date. There are profound Christian truths illustrated here, but they don't come in until towards the end. It's nice to get a view of lands outside of Narnia, but the tale seems like a bolt-on and not as integrated into the saga as other volumes. It's pretty good; just not as good as the others.
Rating: A-
No comments:
Post a Comment