THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE
C. S. Lewis

Published: 1950
Publication order: 1 of 7
Chronological order: 2 of 7

SYNOPSIS

During the Second World War, four children, Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy Pevensie, are evacuated from London to the country home of an elderly professor.

While exploring the house, Lucy enters an old wardrobe and unexpectedly finds herself in the magical land of Narnia. There she meets Mr Tumnus, a faun, and learns that Narnia is ruled by the White Witch, whose power has kept the land trapped in perpetual winter.

At first the other children do not believe Lucy, but eventually all four enter Narnia. Edmund, however, has already encountered the White Witch and been tempted by her promises of power and enchanted Turkish Delight.

The children become involved in the struggle to free Narnia as the great lion Aslan returns. Edmund's betrayal places him in terrible danger and leads Aslan to make an extraordinary sacrifice.

The story culminates in the defeat of the White Witch and the restoration of Narnia, with the four Pevensie children becoming its kings and queens.

ORDER NOTE

This was the first Narnia book Lewis wrote and published, and it was intended to introduce the reader to Narnia.

Chronologically, however, it is the second story. The creation of Narnia and the origins of the wardrobe, the lamp-post and the White Witch are revealed later in The Magician's Nephew.