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The Horse And His Boy (The Chronicles Of Narnia) BBC Radio Collection by: C S Lewis by: Martin Jarvis, Fiona Shaw, James Garves, Michelle Wesson, Stephen Thorne, Norman Bird, Jonathan Tafler, Maria Miles, Gerard Green

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Rating: - Missing the magic

This is the third book (chronologically) in the Narnia series, and the fifth one published. It is vastly different from "The Magician's Nephew" and "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe", given that most of the story unfolds outside of Narnia, and it's missing the magic that permeated the first two books.

I hasten to add here that it is a richly descriptive novel, my best description being "Moses" meets "The Prince and the Pauper" and "Alladin" in "Arabian Nights ".

Breehy-hinny-brinny-hoohy-hah, aka Bree, the horse in question does not live up to the "star" billing of the title, being a touch vain, proud and conceited and a little chicken in times of trouble, but without him there would not be a story, and Shasta (his boy, as you may have guessed)would still be a Tarkaan's slave.

They are joined in this adventure by Aravis Tarkheena, assisted by her stable and sensible horse Hwin. Aravis is fleeing an arranged marriage to an ugly old brown-nosing Grand Vizier-designate with a humpback.

Together they defy the odds, fight and squabble a lot, uncover a treacherous plot and finally crawl across the desert into Narnia via Archenland to help save the day.

A grand battle ensues to satisfy the rejection issues of hot headed Tashbaan Prince Rabadash, and Queen Lucy and King Edward (of Book 2) are right in the middle of the fray. High King Peter is off fighting somewhere else, and Queen Susan is staying out of this one, even though she more or less started it. All our friendly mythical creatures appear at this point.

Shasta finds his true identity, his real family, and secures his future job, and everybody lives more or less happily ever after, except Rabadash, who makes a jackass of himself.

No story of Narnia is complete without the presence of the great and powerful Aslan, who appears in various guises throughout the story, guiding, calming, disciplining and protecting his children.

Another compelling story for all ages.

Amanda Richards August 7, 2004

Rating: - Missing the magic

This is the third book (chronologically) in the Narnia series, and the fifth one published. It is vastly different from "The Magician's Nephew" and "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe", given that most of the story unfolds outside of Narnia, and it's missing the magic that permeated the first two books.

I hasten to add here that it is a richly descriptive novel, my best description being "Moses" meets "The Prince and the Pauper" and "Alladin" in "Arabian Nights".

Breehy-hinny-brinny-hoohy-hah, aka Bree, the horse in question does not live up to the "star" billing of the title, being a touch vain, proud and conceited and a little chicken in times of trouble, but without him there would not be a story, and Shasta (his boy, as you may have guessed)would still be a Tarkaan's slave.

They are joined in this adventure by Aravis Tarkheena, assisted by her stable and sensible horse Hwin. Aravis is fleeing an arranged marriage to an ugly old brown-nosing Grand Vizier-designate with a humpback.

Together they defy the odds, fight and squabble a lot, uncover a treacherous plot and finally crawl across the desert into Narnia via Archenland to help save the day.

A grand battle ensues to satisfy the rejection issues of hot headed Tashbaan Prince Rabadash, and Queen Lucy and King Edward (of Book 2) are right in the middle of the fray. High King Peter is off fighting somewhere else, and Queen Susan is staying out of this one, even though she more or less started it. All our friendly mythical creatures appear at this point.

Shasta finds his true identity, his real family, and secures his future job, and everybody lives more or less happily ever after, except Rabadash, who makes a jackass of himself.

No story of Narnia is complete without the presence of the great and powerful Aslan, who appears in various guises throughout the story, guiding, calming, disciplining and protecting his children.

Another compelling story for all ages.

Rating: - Old Fashioned???

I become irritated when people describe the Narnia series as being "old fashioned". I become angry when people describe them as being "racist".

The "Narnia" books are, admittedly, based on Biblical allegories. They do, however, discuss a philosphy as opposed to a doctrine. They are simply stories of the (eventual) triumph of good over evil, delightfully written in a language that both adults and children can appreciate. Anyone who takes the time to actually understand the characters would soon discover that, by and large, the "villains" (for want of a better word) are not defined by race or colour, but by their deeds. There are an equal number of "white skinned" bad people as there are "little dark-skinned men".

Anyone considering buying this series of books should look beyond their own "politically correct" prejudices and simply ENJOY Lewis's wonderful tales, so eloquently written, and accept there is no political agenda entrenched within them.

Then again, I guess that we now live in the same era as those who protested against Andy Pandy sleeping in a wicker basket with Looby Loo, yet at the same time are happy to have their children scared witless by serpents in Harry Potter, hobgoblins in Lord of the Rings, and in all probability let their kids sit glued to soap opera and "reality" TV as it apparently teaches them about "real life".

It is merely the arrogance and pre-conceptions of "adults" that prevents children judging for themselves!!

Sorry if this sounds angry, but there does come a time when facile comments like "racist" and "old fashioned" need to be put into perspective.

Rating: - Much Better Then I Remembered

Shasta is about to be sold into slavery when he meets Bree, a talking horse. Together, the two set out for Narnia. But their journey is filled with danger as they are chased by lions. Meeting up with two more travelers, they must get through the town of Tashbaan undetected. That’s where they learn of a plot against the rulers of Narnia, Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy. Will they be able to get there in time to sound the alarm?

I can remember being disappointed with this book as a kid, mainly because it doesn’t involve a magical trip from our world to Narnia and we hardly see the four from the first book. When I sat down to reread it, I found that I had forgotten much of the story, so I was captured anew by these adventures. I found myself reading “just one more chapter” to find out what would happen next. And Aslan’s scenes especially moved me as well.

If you start this book aware that this isn’t your typical Narnia adventure, you’re sure to find plenty to enjoy.

Rating: - One of my favourite books...

I think that the story, The Horse and His Boy, is an excellent story! It has a good and interesting plot, and the vocabulary is colourful! I would definitely rate it as 5 stars! In the story, an ordinary fisherboy who is about to be sold, meets a talking horse, Bree. Shasta, the boy, escapes to Narnia where High King Peter rules and where most animals there talk together with Bree. Along the way, they meet, Aravis, a princess of Calormen and Hwin, her talking horse. Together, the four go on a dangerous journey across the harsh desert. Shasta tries to glimpse at what is ahead and it all looks so endlessm wild, lonely...and free.

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