AR: 5.8

A more palatable story than The Silver Chair, but less interesting for the same reason. The Why of it all never really landed for me—why we were being told this random story about a boy and his horse while the Pevensies were kings/queens in Narnia. I suppose there doesn’t need to be an answer to Why, but the feeling that spurned on the Why remained. ( )

This is the story of an adventure that happened in Narnia and Calormen and the lands between, in the Golden Age when Peter was High King in Narnia and his brother and his two sisters were King and Queens under him. It is during this glorious era in Narnian history that Shasta, a young boy living in Calormen with a cruel man who claims to be his father, dreams of traveling to the unknown North. One night he overhears his 'father' offering to sell him as a slave, and Shasta decides that now is the time to begin his journey. When he meets Bree, a Talking Horse of Narnia who is a slave himself, the two decide to escape together. The pair soon encounters Aravis, a high-born girl escaping a forced marriage, and Hwin, another Talking Horse. The travelers must combine their wits and all their strength to reach the freedom they long for. And when they discover a Calormene plot to conquer Narnia, they must also race against time. The battle that ensues matches in excitement any of the adventures described in C.S. Lewis's previous two books of The Chronicles of Narnia. Assisted by the majestic Aslan, the Kings and Queens of Narnia, first introduced in "The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe", once again rise to the occasion to defend their kingdom.

Several years ago, I was talking to a friend about reading, and we got onto the topic of C.S. Lewis’ writings and his Narnia series in particular. When he found out I’d never read this book yet, he told me that needed to be the next book I read, as it was his favorite. Well…I didn’t follow that advice, but I have been able to since read it aloud to my siblings, and what fun that has been!

I’ve found, over the last few years, that I love books that have animals as main characters—especially ones that have spunky animals. Actually, I take that back. I like spunky characters, no matter whether they’re animals or great-aunts. Anyway, I loved Bree in this story. He’s funny, has a great perspective (normally, anyway), and knows his mind. I also loved Shasta, and the journey the two take together is one to be experienced!

Since this was my first time reading this story, I don’t feel like I have a very good grasp on the allegorical side of the book. I do understand how this book—and the series as a whole—got to be so popular, though, and don’t doubt that I’ll return to this story one day (and maybe I’ll understand the allegory better then?). My siblings and I are all enjoying the chance to experience the stories together, and this book was no exception. Often, when I sat down to read aloud, I’d hardly be able to stop reading until we’d gone through several chapters and my voice was giving out. In all, this is a great continuation of the series, and I’m looking forward to seeing what the next books contain! ( )

This novel is not set in Narnia for the most part, but in Calormen, a country south of Narnia. The protagonist is the boy Shasta, who lives with a fisherman who treats him hardly better than a slave. One evening Shasta eavesdrops on the fisherman and a rich guest and learns that the fisherman plans to sell him. Shasta goes to the stables and seeks solace with the horses, when the guest's horse starts talking to him - Bree is a Talking Horse from Narnia and plans his escape. He takes Shasta with him and together they live through many adventures on their way north.

I loved this story as a child - although I did not remember details before my reread, I knew that I loved the adventure, the talking horse and the sense of freedom running through the story. I still enjoyed these aspects of the novel now: The companionship between Bree and Shasta, the descriptions of the landscapes, the rough life they led on the way. However, the depiction of Calormen and its inhabitants is rather problematic: It is clearly inspired by Arabic countries and it is full of stereotypes and ridiculousness. The Calormenes are depicted as stupid, foolish and weak, in contrast to the free and noble Narnians and Archenlanders who of course are real men and look much better, too. I felt really uncomfortable reading all that. It is a pity because apart from that, it is a really good story. ( )