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54 pages 1 hour read

The Magician's Nephew

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1955

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Book Brief

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C. S. Lewis

The Magician's Nephew

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1955
Book Details
Pages

208

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

London • Early 1900s

Publication Year

1955

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

8-12 years

Lexile Level

790L

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Super Short Summary

The Magician's Nephew follows Digory Kirke and Polly Plummer, two children from London, who discover magical rings that transport them to other worlds. They accidentally awaken an evil queen named Jadis in the dying world of Charn, bring her to London, and then to a newly created world called Narnia, where they witness its creation by the lion Aslan. Aslan tasks Digory with retrieving a magical fruit to protect Narnia from the Witch's evil; Digory completes the task and is allowed to return to London with a fruit that heals his sick mother.

Fantastical

Adventurous

Inspirational

Mysterious

Heartwarming

Reviews & Readership

4.3

568,628 ratings

74%

Loved it

21%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

The Magician's Nephew by C. S. Lewis captivates with its imaginative world-building and profound themes, making it a cherished prelude to the Narnia series. Positive reviews highlight its creativity and moral depth. However, some readers find the pacing uneven and certain characters underdeveloped. Overall, it's praised as a compelling start to a classic saga.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Magician's Nephew?

A reader who would enjoy The Magician's Nephew by C. S. Lewis is likely a fan of fantasy literature, particularly those who appreciate rich world-building and allegorical storytelling. Similar titles that this reader might enjoy include J. R. R. Tolkien's The Hobbit and J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter series.

4.3

568,628 ratings

74%

Loved it

21%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

Character List

Digory Kirke

A young boy who moves to London to live with his relatives, Digory is driven by his concern for his ailing mother and exhibits a curious and adventurous nature.

As a perceptive and brave girl who becomes friends with Digory, Polly is curious and supportive, playing a crucial role in their shared adventures.

A somewhat comical figure, Uncle Andrew is an early antagonist who meddles with magic and inadvertently initiates the children's adventures.

A powerful and malevolent figure from another world, she embodies a formidable and dangerous presence throughout the story.

Starting as a simple and kindhearted cab driver, he is drawn into the children’s magical journey and shows an instinctive leadership quality.

The majestic and wise lion who oversees the creation of Narnia, Aslan is a guiding and protective force in the world.

Book Details
Pages

208

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

London • Early 1900s

Publication Year

1955

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

8-12 years

Lexile Level

790L

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