Book Recommendation

The Silver Chair

The Silver Chair was the fourth book published in The Chronicles of Narnia series. This tale leaps forward in time from the time of Dawn Treader. In it, Eustace returns to Narnia, but with a girl named Jill Pole. Because of poor actions, they are initially separated and arrive too late to give an important message from Aslan to King Caspian – who is now a very old man. This is the first of many mistakes the children make as they attempt to follow signs given to them by Aslan so that they might find and rescue Lilian, the son of Prince Caspian who has gone missing.

In this tale, we meet terrible giants, Puddleglum (a Marshwiggle – and a very funny character though he does not mean to be), and the Queen of the Underworld. There is danger, humor, unusual creatures, and eventually the children have to go underground to find and save Rilian. 

One of the key lessons to be learned as the children make their way on this journey is our tendency to forget the words given by Aslan, and therefore to miss the signs He gives to guide us on our way. Yet, through it all, Aslan helps the children and Puddleglum to fulfill His call for them. It is a beautiful picture of the importance of remembering God’s Word, of human sin, the dangers lurking in this world, and the Providence of God.

Once again, I will close with a few quotes, which are full of wit and wisdom, and that I hope will whet your appetite to read (or re-read) this volume.

“You would not have called to me unless I had been calling to you,” said the Lion.” (Aslan)

Suppose we have only dreamed, or made up, all those things-trees and grass and sun and moon and stars and Aslan himself. Suppose we have. Then all I can say is that, in that case, the made-up things seem a good deal more important than the real ones. Suppose this black pit of a kingdom of yours is the only world. Well, it strikes me as a pretty poor one. And that’s a funny thing, when you come to think of it. We’re just babies making up a game, if you’re right. But four babies playing a game can make a play-world which licks your real world hollow. That’s why I’m going to stand by the play world. I’m on Aslan’s side even if there isn’t any Aslan to lead it. I’m going to live as like a Narnian as I can even if there isn’t any Narnia. (Puddleglum, speaking tot he Queen of the Underworld who claimed the world above ground, the sun, and Aslan did not really exist).

“Aslan’s instructions always work; there are no exceptions.” 

“Are you not thirsty?” said the Lion.

“I am dying of thirst,” said Jill.

“Then drink,” said the Lion.

“May I — could I — would you mind going away while I do?” said Jill.

The Lion answered this only by a look and a very low growl. And as Jill gazed at its motionless bulk, she realized that she might as well have asked the whole mountain to move aside for her convenience.

The delicious rippling noise of the stream was driving her nearly frantic.

“Will you promise not to — do anything to me, if I do come?” said Jill.

“I make no promise,” said the Lion.

Jill was so thirsty now that, without noticing it, she had come a step nearer.

“Do you eat girls?” she said.

“I have swallowed up girls and boys, women and men, kings and emperors, cities and realms,” said the Lion. It didn’t say this as if it were boasting, nor as if it were sorry, nor as if it were angry. It just said it.

“I daren’t come and drink,” said Jill.

“Then you will die of thirst,” said the Lion.

“Oh dear!” said Jill, coming another step nearer. “I suppose I must go and look for another stream then.”

“There is no other stream,” said the Lion.” 

In Christ,

Bret