In terms of popular culture, we're in a Narnia "lull". Prince Caspian will be released on DVD soon, which will be the last bit of media attention to the film. The next Narnia Chronicle to be released on film will be The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. There will be the expectable "buzz" about filming schedules, casting issues, release dates, and the like, but even the most optimistic schedule gives us over a year until the debut of the film. While we're waiting, I'd like to challenge Dancing Lawn participants to something constructive: a review and discussion of the book itself.
If you've never read Dawn Treader, now is an ideal time. After all, it's a book for youth, written by a master, which makes it very readable. If you have a copy, why not get it out and dust it off? If you've never read it, you're in for a treat. If you have, read it again - it's even more of a treat. If you don't have a copy, you could pick one up at a bookstore, or borrow one from the library.
Dawn Treader is unique among the Chronicles in that it is the only one of the stories which takes place totally outside Narnia. Some of the stories, like Lion, Caspian, and Last Battle take place completely within Narnia. Others, like Horse and Silver Chair, have only a little action within Narnian borders, but there's at least some. Treader is completely away from Narnia*. Furthermore, it's not even a start-to-finish narrative like Horse - it's a series of vignettes stitched together against the backdrop of the eastward journey over the Narnian ocean. But it's in these vignettes that the depth of the story lies.
I'd like to challenge forum members to a discussion of this wonderful tale. Let's all read (or reread) the story, and then come here and discuss our favorite parts, our least favorite parts, what we understand, what makes no sense - whatever. (There's even a contradiction or two in there!) Go ahead - hurl yourself through the picture frame and be dragged dripping onto the pitching deck! Set sail with Caspian, Reepicheep, the Pevensies, and the rest. Let's explore again the wonders that Lewis wrote into this classic story. I'll have some discussion starters to post shortly.
Let's head back to Narnia, and get underweigh for a journey to the utter East!
*unless you're counting the Lone Islands, which is a special case
If you've never read Dawn Treader, now is an ideal time. After all, it's a book for youth, written by a master, which makes it very readable. If you have a copy, why not get it out and dust it off? If you've never read it, you're in for a treat. If you have, read it again - it's even more of a treat. If you don't have a copy, you could pick one up at a bookstore, or borrow one from the library.
Dawn Treader is unique among the Chronicles in that it is the only one of the stories which takes place totally outside Narnia. Some of the stories, like Lion, Caspian, and Last Battle take place completely within Narnia. Others, like Horse and Silver Chair, have only a little action within Narnian borders, but there's at least some. Treader is completely away from Narnia*. Furthermore, it's not even a start-to-finish narrative like Horse - it's a series of vignettes stitched together against the backdrop of the eastward journey over the Narnian ocean. But it's in these vignettes that the depth of the story lies.
I'd like to challenge forum members to a discussion of this wonderful tale. Let's all read (or reread) the story, and then come here and discuss our favorite parts, our least favorite parts, what we understand, what makes no sense - whatever. (There's even a contradiction or two in there!) Go ahead - hurl yourself through the picture frame and be dragged dripping onto the pitching deck! Set sail with Caspian, Reepicheep, the Pevensies, and the rest. Let's explore again the wonders that Lewis wrote into this classic story. I'll have some discussion starters to post shortly.
Let's head back to Narnia, and get underweigh for a journey to the utter East!
*unless you're counting the Lone Islands, which is a special case
