I’m continuing my journey through The Chronic-WHAT?!-cles of Narnia in publication order. I know, I know. C.S. Lewis had a preferred reading order, but when I read a series for the first time, I like to read it in publication order. Leave me alone! Anyway, if you care at all about what I thought, read on and find out!
The Silver Chair
Series: The Chronicles of Narnia #4
Author: C.S. Lewis
Pages: 243
Format: Paperback
Published: September 6, 1953
Publisher: HarperCollins
View on Goodreads
Date Completed: January 10, 2024
My rating: 
Synopsis
Remember Eustace from Voyage of the Dawn Treader? He’s in this one too. Remember Prince Caspian from… Prince Caspian? He’s here too. And he’s king now! And really old. But Caspian’s son, Prince Rilian, is missing. And Eustace and schoolmate Jill have to help search the lands around Narnia to find him. That way Narnia can have a king after Caspian kicks the bucket. Adventure ensues.
Thoughts
The framing story with Eustace and Jill in their school was kind of interesting and I’d almost like a longer story set there. But alas, they’re swept away to Narnia and are immediately in the presence of Aslan. Aslan sets them on an adventure, just like he’s done in the previous stories. They don’t actually spend much time in Narnia proper though.
They meet some interesting characters who join them on their journey. As usual, the characters are fairly well-rounded and consistent in their characterizations. There were even a few twists that I didn’t see coming. At first, I believed the queen in the green dress. The silent knight was interesting. Although I wasn’t aware at the time, it wasn’t so shocking when it turned out to be… uh… someone important to the story. (How’s that for not spoiling a story that’s 70 years old?)
What really sucks is that I was just kind of bored with this one. I know that Narnia is a children’s series. But a lot of adults legitimately love these books. The Silver Chair just seemed so inconsequential. It may be because this is the first one (in publication order) without the Pevensie kids. But also, it was just kind of predictable. Aslan gives them a quest. Guess what. They complete it.
I did kind enjoy how the school changed when Eustace and Jill got back… that was nice.
But man was it sad when Caspian… uh… went to be with Aslan.
Conclusion
Overall, this was kind of so-so for me. As a completist, I’m glad I read it. But I just don’t find Eustace likable and this story just kind of… happened. I’ve got three books left in the series and I plan to read those over the next few months. I’ll keep my hopes up for the rest of them, but I’ll be the judge of what I think about them. …obviously…
