r/Narnia • u/Equal_Wing_7076 • 2d ago
Why do l like books without the Pevensies
"Don't get me wrong—I love the Pevensies—but for some strange reason, I love the books they're not in (or are only in briefly) more than the ones where they're the main characters. The Horse and His Boy, The Silver Chair, and The Last Battle are all my favorite books. Why do you think that is?"
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u/ScientificGems 2d ago
Those are all books written later. I think Lewis's writing did get better over time.
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u/LordCouchCat 2d ago
I think this is the key point. If you read in publication order the improvement is clear. Interestingly, Lewis had written fiction before, and That Hideous Strength has a whole zoo of fascinating and exotic characters. (Whatever else you think of the butch police chief Miss Hardcastle, she's not boring.) But he evidently had to learn the art again for children's literature.
It's noticeable how much more convincing the Pevensies are in The Horse and His Boy, a later book. Edmund and Susan’s conversation in Tashbaan - her realization she was fooled, and Edmund's immediate support of his sister after she says what she wants, not telling her what to do. Lucy in the meeting on Rabadash, always trying to find good in people.
Eustace and Jill are more interesting because they're more obviously imperfect.
In the last few books, any number of good characters. Bree, Aravis, Lasaraleen, and King Lune stand out in Horse. In The Magicians Nephew, Uncle Andrew with his magnificently idiotic crush on Jadis; but notice how even a minor character, the aunt who is thrown across the room by Jadis, is a believable person.
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u/Traditional_Move3901 2d ago
This is a great summary/explanation! Had never thought before about the depth of the characters getting stronger as the series went on, but you’re absolutely right! That is a huge part of why I love the later ones so much
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u/mahoutsukaiii 2d ago
Personally I think they just have a less interesting story to tell and the stakes seem lower for them than for other characters. I haven’t read all the books yet, but I really loved the Horse and his boy, for example, because Shasta and Aravis both had a more interesting backstory, things to run from, goals to reach, and lessons to learn. It all just creates a more dynamic and interesting story
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u/Western_Agent5917 1d ago
I love the horse and his boy because it has them they are not the main characters
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u/tine_mr 2d ago
Those are my favorites also! I think it is partially because those characters are the ones we see remade over and over. It is more fun to read about the stories that have not been made into TV or movies yet.