#Narniathon21 notice

On By CalmgroveIn books, Narniathon
Narniathon21 design based on a Pauline Baynes image

A little earlier than promised comes this announcement for a Narniathon, following the polls I conducted on this post.

As of the first week of July, the overwhelming majority of those who replied were in favour of a readalong of the Chronicles of Narnia. Not only that but almost all of you wanted to start at the end of 2021, rather than next year.

And finally, few were in favour of reading the series in chronological order, some didn’t mind, but most were for publication order. So here’s the beginning of a plan!

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I aim to kick things off with an introductory post in the last weekend of November 2021. This will give Narniathoners a chance to (if necessary) acquire a copy of the title for the relevant month and a few weeks to read and reflect on it. I’m going to follow Laurie’s suggestion that we then discuss that title the last weekend of the month. I’ll suggest three questions on the Friday or Saturday to use as springboards and then hand over the comments section to participants. I propose the following timetable:

  • November. Introductory post.
  • December. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.
  • January. Prince Caspian.
  • February. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.
  • March. The Silver Chair.
  • April. The Horse and His Boy.
  • May. The Magician’s Nephew.
  • June. The Last Battle.
  • July. Optional read: From Spare Oom to War Drobe by Katherine Langrish.

If it’s helpful I’m also going to propose the tag Narniathon21 or, for certain social media, the hashtag so as to distinguish this event from events in earlier years (which may have involved readalongs or bingeing on the Narnia film series). Do feel free to use the tag if you want for your own posts, reviews, Bookstagrams, tweets or whatever.

I’ve also created an image meme which you may borrow, or adapt, or ignore, as you may see fit: I’m not at all precious about it, especially seeing as it adapts one of Pauline Baynes’s classic images!

So there we have it, a fantasy fest to look forward to, to take us through the dark days of winter through to next summer. Are you still up for it?

45 thoughts on “#Narniathon21 notice”

    1. I’m sure you will have interesting things to say, Mallika, I always appreciate the viewpoints you present on your reviews! Hope you can keep your excitement bubbling through to the end of the year. 😊

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    2. Laurie @ RelevantObscurity

      Chris I am so out of it I only just saw this, but boy I’m on it. I am so pleased to get the chance to read this with a group. Thank you so much for taking this on.🌹😍📚

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  3. Sounds good! There are some books I wouldn’t mind rereading, but not others, The Last Battle for instance!

    The reading group I belong to with Marisa will be starting on The Dark is Rising sequence soon. I can’t wait as I love all the books.

    By the way, you won’t be able to access my usual blog as of now. I’ve transferred all my book posts to daphnelee.org and will be book blogging from there from now on! Hope you’ll keep in touch!

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    1. I think there are at least two instalments that are going to prove problematic, aren’t there, and The Last Battle is definitely one of them!

      I’ve got to Greenwitch in my slow read of The Dark is Rising sequence so look forward to what you’ll both have to say (and may even get round to the final two titles soon). And thanks for the notice about your new site, I’ll follow you there for sure! 🙂

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    1. I’ve mentioned elsewhere my antipathy to some of Lewis’s intentions, particularly the allegorical aspect — though he does, I think I read, draw a distinction between allegory and appearance. I’m hoping my own revisit and background reading will reveal more of the Narniad’s virtues and dispel some of my prejudices. And no worries about not joining in, Lizzie, I’m grateful if you drop in on discussion now and again!

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    1. That’s brilliant to know, Nick, especially to have someone who’s familiar with children’s literature and, to add to the mix, any relevant theological aspects!

      I think for those who as young readers were dismayed at the final outcome, with deaths and further entry to Narnia apparently barred, re-encountering that disappointment is hard to contemplate. But we’ll see if we can learn anything from the preceding volumes! I’ve begun Shanna Caughey’s Revisiting Narnia: Fantasy, Myth And Religion in C. S. Lewis’ Chronicles to see what insights I can glean from the essays there—some, I hope.

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  8. How lovely – I won’t be joining in myself as just too much else going on, but I will read your reviews and look out for others that pop up in other blogs I read, and wish you well with it and happy reading!

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  10. I’m so looking forward to this, Chris. It will be interesting to find out what others think and rereading all of them as an adult is something I’m viewing with a strange mix of excitement and nervousness. Thank you for the idea.

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    1. I can’t claim credit for the idea, Anne, having been willingly cajoled into running it, but I’m glad you’re anticipating this (albeit with mixed feelings) — as do a number of readers! Hope I do people’s expectations justice.

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  12. I won’t be able to join in, but I’m looking forward very much to reading the posts and discussion. I haven’t read any of the Narnia books but this will prepare me, thank you!

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  14. Yes, I’m looking forward to this! I loved the Narnia books unreservedly as a child, but now I can see their weaknesses — it should make for some terrific discussion material.

    The Last Battle was always one of my favorites by the way. I think because I’m a Platonist and finally getting into the world of Forms was an utterly satisfying ending for me. However, I can now understand that not everybody is in that camp.

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    1. Looking at The Last Battle from a Platonic viewpoint will be very helpful and interesting when we get to it next summer, but I’m now also looking forward to your contributions on all the other titles, Lory—so glad you’re participating!

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  15. Pingback: Happy Autumn! – Relevant Obscurity

    1. #Narniathon21 is designed to be both flexible and accessible, Johanna, so no formal need at all to commit to all or even any of it! If you felt inclined to join in with reading one of the books during your month that would be fine, and you wouldn’t even have to comment if you didn’t feel like it. But of course you’d be very welcome at any time!

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  20. Mareli Thalwitzer

    Oh yea! I saw this Narniathon coming up on Debbie @ ReaderBuzz’s page and I am most definitely in! For Narnia! And Aslan!!

    Made a note in my diary and will try to stay in touch to not miss out.

    Thanks for hosting!

    Elza Reads

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    1. Good to have you aboard, Mareli! It’ll be quite lightweight hosting—apart from a few prompts and a couple of follow-up posts I shan’t be heavy on tasks, quizzes and such-like; and, spread over half a year and more, this’ll definitely be a marathon and not a sprint! 🙂

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    1. Sorry, I had to haul your comment out of spam, but — belatedly — welcome! There’ll be an official start to #Narniathon21 at the end of November, on Lewis’s birthday. 🙂

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