Book #15: The Silver Chair - C.S. Lewis

FINALLY!
I should have had this book review posted weeks ago, but I just haven't been able to find the time for leisurely reading lately.
This is book is the fourth book in The Chronicles of Narnia series and quite frankly it is so much different than any of the previous books.
The only child from the previous books to return to Narnia in this book is Eustace, formerly the mean-spirited cousin of Lucy, Edward, Peter & Susan.
If you recall from the last book, Eustace had a change of heart and character by the end of his 1st adventure and now desires more than anything to return to Narnia.
While away at school Eustace makes friends with a girl his age named Jill.
She is the brunt of the bully's jokes and while trying to comfort her one day he mentions a magical world where animals can talk.
It all begins here as with any other time that a trip to Narnia ensues.
This story is so much different, however, Narnia has aged quite some time since Eustace's last visit and upon returning he finds that King Caspian's son has been missing for 10 years and their mission is to help find him.
This tale is much darker and more grim than previous ones and as I read it there were times when I felt discouraged as I'm sure the characters in the book must have as well.
As always the mission is accomplished, but only after a multitude of hurdles had been jumped.
I think my favorite part of the book was the end though.
Not because I disliked the book, but because C.S. Lewis saves his most religious views for the end.  King Caspian is lying in the riverbed, Aslan sheds his blood over the passed King and the king arises young again, then he makes the following statement to the children who feel they are seeing a ghost:
""You think I'm a ghost, or some nonsense.  But don't you see?  I would be that if I appeared in Narnia now, because I don't belong there any more.  But one can't be a ghost in one's own country".
Then Aslan assures the children that they are not dead or in what I like to think of as Heaven, but that they will return to their own world and someday they WILL return to stay.
It's really quite beautifully written.
I encourage all of you yet again to please start reading these books, if not for yourself for a little person in your life.  Read a chapter a night as a bedtime story and watch their imaginations grow.
I hope you all had a Blessed Thursday!

P.S. A favorite quote from this book reads as follows:
Jill held her tongue (If you don't want other people to know how frightened you are, this is always a wise thing to do; it's your voice that gives you away).

I don't know why, but this makes me smile.