Digory and Polly, bored during a typical gray London summer, get more than they bargain for when their explorations take them into Uncle Andrew's study and all the wonders therein. When the greedy relative tricks them into helping him conduct an experiment, they find themselves traveling between worlds and unwittingly awaking the evil Queen Jadis. Finally, they arrive in Narnia as it is sung into being by the powerful lion Aslan. Can Aslan set things right?
The Magician's Nephew is book 6 (in publication order) but book 1 (in the tales' chronological order) of The Chronicles of Narnia by noted Christian author C.S. Lewis. Here, we learn how Narnia is created and the evil Queen (who will play a prominent role in the best-known tale, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe) comes into that world.
This is a children's story, and it's done well. I'm not sure how well it would stand on its own- the enjoyment is heightened with prior knowledge of Narnia and Aslan- but it's good. Aslan obviously represents Jesus, and Lewis makes heavy use of symbolism throughout this book (and the series) to teach Christian truths in a witty, powerful, and (at times) light-hearted way. I'll end with some quotes to reflect upon from the book:
For what you see and hear depends a good deal on where you are standing: it also depends on what sort of person you are.
Now the trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed.
O Adam's sons, how cleverly you defend yourselves against all that might do you good!
All get what they want; they do not always like it.
Rating: A
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