C. S. Lewis writes the fantasy novel The Horse and his Boy. It follows the adventures of Bree and Shasta. Bree is the horse; Shasta is the boy. They travel from Calormen, in the south, to the north. Narnia is their northern destination. The Narian talking horse, Bree, was abducted long ago from the kingdom, he longs to return. Shasta would rather be anywhere than in Calormen, near his greedy father. Shasta overhears the man, he believes is his father, plans to sell him.

Chasing, snarling lions cause a second pair to join Bree and Shasta. The new twosome is Aravis and Hwin. Avaris is a noble-born young woman running from an arranged marriage. Hwin is, an abducted Narnian talking horse like Bree. She longs to return home. So the foursome decides to travel together.

A grand procession a town separates Shasta, Aravis and the horses. The young people overhear the plot against Narnia and its neighbor. Later when reunited, everyone agrees to warn the two countries. The adventures begin.

The Horse and the Boy by C. S. Lewis does not contain as many Christian themes as The Magician’s Nephew and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Lewis does write a subplot on pride. He writes on Arvais’ pride of being noble-born and the great distress she causes to those she believes lower in status. Also, he writes on Bree’s pride, his belief that he is superior and braver than non-talking horses.

Elementary kids, tweens, teens, adults will love this installment, The Horse and His Boy, of the Chronicles of Narnia. They return to the fantasy world of Narnia and rejoin beloved friends. Susan, Lucy and Edmund Pevensie(Peter is on a hunting trip) return in the novel. Readers who are not familiar with the Narnia series will enjoy the book. Do not worry. C. S. Lewis gives the reader a recount of past events.

The Horse and His Boy by C. S. Lewis is available in paperback, audio book, kindle, audio CD and other formats.



The Chronicles of Narnia Books Boxed Set contains The Boy and His Horse and the other six fantasy novels.



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Note: The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis review copy is from my private library collection.