Book Recommendation

The Horse and His Boy

The Hose and His Boy was the fifth book published in The Chronicles of Narnia series. This tale is a bit unusual, for instead of going forward in time, it drops into the middle of the time when Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy were still in Narnia and reigning as the Kings and Queens of Narnia. It tells a tale that is not directly part of the rest of the stories of Narnia. But the story is important because it shows how Aslan saves Narnia from a great danger she did not know was lurking at her door. 

As indicated in the title, the main characters in the story are a talking horse named Bree and a young boy known as Shasta. Both Bree and Shasta are trapped in the kingdom of Calormen, led by a ruler known as the Tisroc. But both of them are originally not from Calormen. Though Bree is a great war horse in the army of Calormen, no one knows he is actually a talking horse of Narnia. Shasta has been raised by a man named Arsheesh, who it turns out is not his father but rather his owner.

The story tells the tale of their escape, and how they are joined by another talking horse named Twin and a girl named Aravis. Along the way, they face many dangers and all have to learn humility and true courage. Each step of the way they are being guided by Aslan, though they do not know it at the time. And all of this is being done so that they can save the Kingdom of Archenland, and ultimately Narnia, from grave danger.

As always, the story is entertaining, and Lewis writes with amazing wit and wisdom. As a sample, I will close with a few quotes that I hope will whet your appetite to read (or re-read) this volume.

“Child,’ said the Lion, ‘I am telling you your story, not hers. No one is told any story but their own.”

“But one of the worst results of being a slave and being forced to do things is that when there is no one to force you any more you find you have almost lost the power of forcing yourself.” 

“if you do one good deed your reward usually is to be set to do another and harder and better one.” 

“Then Hwin, though shaking all over, gave a strange little neigh and trotted across to the Lion. “Please,” she said, “you’re so beautiful. You may eat me if you like. I’d sooner be eaten by you than fed by anyone else.” 

“I was the lion who forced you to join with Aravis. I was the cat who comforted you among the houses of the dead. I was the lion who drove the jackals from you while you slept. I was the lion who gave the Horses the new strength of fear for the last mile so that you should reach King Lune in time. And I was the lion you do not remember who pushed the boat in which you lay, a child near death, so that it came to shore where a man sat, wakeful at midnight, to receive you.” 

In Christ,

Bret