Book Review: The Chronicles of Narnia - The Last Battle by C.S. Lewis
So here I am, I've finally finished the Chronicles of Narnia.
In many ways I liked this book. I liked the fact that Jill Pole was a stronger character and given more credit than she had been in previous books. I liked the way that much of the help she offered the final King of Narnia was mostly her doing. I also appreciated that Eustace Scrubb got to help out too, albeit in a more minor way (and murder.)
Considering, there's a lot of kids killing people in these books and that's almost troubling too. It almost colours murder in a positive light (because it's always 'in battle' and 'for Aslan') and the children are always celebrated when they take a life. That does actually set me a little on edge when I come to think of it. Obviously, laws in Narnia are very different but these kids are coming to and fro from Earth to Narnia. It's just... uncomfortable.
Then comes the issue with Aslan vs. Tash. I actually kind of liked the idea of Aslan and Tash being one and the same (except I was much less keen on the portmanteau of Tashlan.) But the concept of all the Gods actually meaning the same one, but having different names due to different religions is not necessarily an old one. I didn't like the fact that 'every time you do good in Tash's name, it's actually for Aslan. If you do bad it's for Tash.' Mostly because the Calormenes would probably take their religion as seriously as the Narnians and it just completely ridicules everything they believe in, or at least it does in my opinion.
The destruction of Narnia, meanwhile, felt very atmospheric. I did quite like Shift as an adversary and Puzzle was cute. The new king was a bit unmemorable, but I enjoyed his relationship with Jewel - and I think he showed a lot more bravery than certain other kings.
The reunion in Aslan's country was... interesting. Nice to see old characters back. But, while I can believe that one of the Pevensies lost interest in Narnia (and lost Aslan), I hated the reasonings behind it. Susan discovers sex, so she's no longer welcome or a friend of Narnia. Ugh. And also, HER WHOLE FAMILY DIES IN ENGLAND. Sure, they go to Aslan's Country and that's where they 'really start living' but to her, they are dead, gone. Her whole family. Both her brothers and Lucy. And her parents. It makes me angry and upset, because the ending is meant to be optimistic (what with the whole 'each chapter is better than the last' thing), but if you think about it, it really dampens the spirit.
And now I need to work out what I want to read next.
In many ways I liked this book. I liked the fact that Jill Pole was a stronger character and given more credit than she had been in previous books. I liked the way that much of the help she offered the final King of Narnia was mostly her doing. I also appreciated that Eustace Scrubb got to help out too, albeit in a more minor way (and murder.)
Considering, there's a lot of kids killing people in these books and that's almost troubling too. It almost colours murder in a positive light (because it's always 'in battle' and 'for Aslan') and the children are always celebrated when they take a life. That does actually set me a little on edge when I come to think of it. Obviously, laws in Narnia are very different but these kids are coming to and fro from Earth to Narnia. It's just... uncomfortable.
Then comes the issue with Aslan vs. Tash. I actually kind of liked the idea of Aslan and Tash being one and the same (except I was much less keen on the portmanteau of Tashlan.) But the concept of all the Gods actually meaning the same one, but having different names due to different religions is not necessarily an old one. I didn't like the fact that 'every time you do good in Tash's name, it's actually for Aslan. If you do bad it's for Tash.' Mostly because the Calormenes would probably take their religion as seriously as the Narnians and it just completely ridicules everything they believe in, or at least it does in my opinion.
The destruction of Narnia, meanwhile, felt very atmospheric. I did quite like Shift as an adversary and Puzzle was cute. The new king was a bit unmemorable, but I enjoyed his relationship with Jewel - and I think he showed a lot more bravery than certain other kings.
The reunion in Aslan's country was... interesting. Nice to see old characters back. But, while I can believe that one of the Pevensies lost interest in Narnia (and lost Aslan), I hated the reasonings behind it. Susan discovers sex, so she's no longer welcome or a friend of Narnia. Ugh. And also, HER WHOLE FAMILY DIES IN ENGLAND. Sure, they go to Aslan's Country and that's where they 'really start living' but to her, they are dead, gone. Her whole family. Both her brothers and Lucy. And her parents. It makes me angry and upset, because the ending is meant to be optimistic (what with the whole 'each chapter is better than the last' thing), but if you think about it, it really dampens the spirit.
And now I need to work out what I want to read next.