The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis will be well known to many. A magical world of classic fantasy written for children, but enjoyable to any age group.
I am rereading the entire series and sharing succinct spoiler-free reviews. If you want some background to Narnia – it’s all in the first book review.
The reading order is open to debate. However, it’s being done in (Narnian) chronological order – and not the date they were published: The Magician’s Nephew (1955), The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1950), The Horse and His Boy (1954), Prince Caspian (1951), The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (1952), The Silver Chair (1953) and The Last Battle (1956).
Review Number: 19 (3 in Narnia series)
Review Date: 25 August 2020
Title: The Horse and His Boy
Author: C. S. Lewis
Country: United Kingdom
Publication Date: 1954
Genre: Fantasy
No one can teach riding so well as a horse.
It’s an intriguing book title. My first thought years ago was shouldn’t that be ‘The Boy and His Horse’?
But the pleasures from reading fantasy are that ideas can be turned on their heads – and Lewis’ literary creations are stocked full of talking animals and an egalitarian state of mind. Narnia is all about freedom and justice.
The story begins with a boy (Shasta) knowing deep in his heart that he doesn’t belong in the unpleasant land of Calormen. His desire is for a great escape – and to Narnia to the north. Aided by a talking horse (Bree), they meet two other runaways – another horse (Hwin) and her girl (Aravis).
What follows is a very lively adventure as these four heroes also become embroiled in much greater matters. Namely, Calormen’s threat of war on a neighbouring state.
The banter between the young humans and their equine allies is good and not overdone. A 21st century writer would probably milk these relationships dry and make it quickly tedious and insipid. Lewis has the pragmatism to keep the events moving swiftly and adroitly.
The story actually exists within the time frame of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, so you do get to meet some of those characters. No more will be said, so as not to ruin the drama.
Last and least, Lewis does use the tale to make some caustic commentary on the Middle East-styled regime of Calormen. He was a Christian so that may have played a part in his remarks on cruelty, feudalism, subservience, flattery and the extremely long time spent on haggling.
Others have written lengthy and critical articles on this theme. I don’t care, it is a children’s book from 1954 and not a political manifesto. Times have changed and 70 years from now people in the future will judge us. (And probably very harshly.)
The Horse and His Boy is much better than I remembered. Just sit back and enjoy the ride for a few hours. It’s escapism after all.
One of the drawbacks about adventures is that when you come to the most beautiful places you are often too anxious and hurried to appreciate them.