The Last Battle

Definitely problematic in parts, but it bookends the series so well; the Omega to The Magician's Nephew's Alpha. I love the final act, especially following downbeat after downbeat of the first two-thirds, but I wish there was more of an explanation of why everything happens, beyond just needing events to lead to that bookend.

I want that last page read at my funeral. This book has some of the best quotes out of the whole series, and alot of good allusions to apologetics. Great parallels to the modern world that still work today, like the ridiculousness of the Tashlan lie.

Ever since I read the Narnia series in middle school I've loved it but it's undeniable that there has always been an undercurrent (sometimes overt) racism, sexism, and overall xenophobia. We can excuse it and say that it was a product of it's time but it's just as valid to view it from a modern lens and say that it was problematic.

This book, the conclusion to the series, is the most egregious offender lmao. Not gonna list all instances coz I think it would be a fun offensive scavenger hunt for people who do decide to read it, but damn it wasn't good.

Hopefully Greta Gerwigs adaptation of the material can somehow improve upon it (I don't think this is a big ask lol).

Jack and I were able to finish the entire Chronicles of Narnia in 2022! The Last Battle is certainly an interesting book but wasn't as engaging as some of the others. The last few chapters are such a joy to read as we get to see all of our favorite characters from the previous novels again in a new Narnia.

Here is my list of from favorite to least favorite.
1. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
2. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
3. The Silver Chair
4. The Magician's Nephew
5. The Horse and His Boy
6. The Last Battle
7. Prince Caspian

Did you guys know Lewis was a Christian? I managed to read between the lines here!

Anyway, this book was mostly boring and I did not enjoy the end at all. Should have stopped at Silver Chair.

Has been the absolute best journey EVER. This ending was amazing, I loved it.

I don't think it is the perfect ending, bur definetly it was a good one! I really enjoyed the Narnia chronicles.

It's the last book of the series and it's the last battle. An ape dresses up a donkey in a lion skin and tells the creatures of Narnia that the donkey is Aslan. This donkey-Aslan doesn't behave like Aslan has in the past, and the creatures aren't sure how to proceed, but donkey-Aslan responds to its creatures with quick retribution and all the creatures fall in line. Soon the king of Narnia is alerted to this danger and the children from Earth appear and the children and the king must go to battle against the donkey-Aslan and the ape and those who profess to follow another leader than Aslan.

The racism of the series is strong in this book, so be prepared for that. In The Last Battle, Lewis translates the themes of the book of Revelation into a story for children. I was most taken with the confusion and discord that occur when those in a search for power spread lies and half-truths.

This last installment of The Chronicles of Narnia is my least favorite, although I love the description of Aslan's country in the end. Some may not like where the allegory gets thin, but I like that Lewis shares his beliefs of heaven and the nature and attitude of God toward us. 

A favorite quote: And if any man do a cruelty in my name, then, though he says the name Aslan, it is Tash whom he serves... 

Here in 2022, it seems I hear a lot about people doing cruelty while claiming God's name and will. I truly want those who have experienced those cruelties to know that is not his way. 

6/10

The middle part of the book is a solid 8/10 and some of the best writing of the entire series. However, the last quarter of the book is a slog and a very unsatisfying ending to a 7 book series.

I was hoping for more when I started this series.

I put off reading the final installment for a while but it hit me hard all the same. A beautiful conclusion and shockingly dark and prophetic. Naturally, I now want to go back and read it all again. I love the connections to Narnia and the real world, making it feel like the actual place where we'll all meet in the end.

Such a good ending to a fantastic story ;-;.

I loved, LOVED seeing all the old characters who we fell in love with during the series. The series was wrapped up amazingly for most of the characters. One characters wasn't as lucky to get to New Narnia, since this character didn't believe in the ‘childish' plays from the past.

I liked the happy ending and the part where the reader can imagine beyond the last word of the page. I do have to say that I feel bad for Ginger (I'm a cat person and my cat is partially ginger xD). When I was younger I always hoped my cats could speak, but alas I've never heard them speak human tongue.

The seven books in the Chronicles of Narnia are quick, enjoyable reads. They are perfect for younger (and older) readers. It sparks a lot of imagination by the reader and you definitely want a secret world like Narnia in our (not so whimsical) world.

Good ending, but not as entertaining as the previous

It was pretty dfferent than the others. Doesn't feel that much like a fairytale anymore. The ending was foggy and confusing, it was really unexpected though. Makes me feel like everything I thought about that world was a lie. SPOLIER: For a while I thought that Aslan was god, but then he told us that “No, possibly the biggest message behind the book and my character isn't true, although I hid messages about it before. Sorry.” Disapponting :c SPOLIER over.
I still like his writing style, the book is gripping, and the ending is overall peaceful, you just have to get the feeling of it, like some impressionist painting.
It's filled with actions and misses almost all emotions. 3 stars.

Short Review: It has been years (probably at least 20) since I last read the Last Battle. My memory is mostly of Aslan's land. But that is only the last 1/3 of the book. As a book, this is not one of the best books of the Narnia series. The characters are weak and I never really completely engaged with the storyline other than a way to get to the point of the book.

But this is the early look that many have at eschatology and I think it is important if only for that reason.

My full review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/the-last-battle/

:(

The first 6 books in the series seemed to be focused on the plot, which also included religious metaphors. This last book seemed to break that pattern and made the plot secondary and the religious metaphor first. I think the story suffered quite a bit because of that. At times it felt forced and too fantastic, I mean a donkey passing as a lion in a piece of skin that washed over a waterfall.... really? It felt like a different author and the inconsistency was jarring. Once I got past that aspect of the book, there were some really beautiful parts. The description of the afterlife and Aslan as a Christ-figure were pretty moving.

Further up and further in!

I can't really choose a favorite Chronicle of Narnia, but the ending of this one is my favorite part! (Well one of them!)

2019 re-read (for #CSLewisBookClub on Twitter!)
2015 re-read
2010 re-read
2003 re-read in C. S. Lewis class in college
2000 re-read
1992 read for the first time after falling in love with The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe in 2nd grade
****
The Chronicles of Narnia ranked from my favorite to my least favorite:
1. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (kind of tied with the ending of The Last Battle, but also that one scene from The Silver Chair... oh dear, I really can't choose! It's whichever of these I'm reading at the moment (to steal Douglas Gresham's answer!)
1. The Last Battle (for the ending)
1. The Silver Chair
2. The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe (kind of tied with The Magician's Nephew...)
2. The Magician's Nephew
6. Prince Caspian
7. The Horse and His Boy

The Chronicles of Narnia series was another one of my likable books reading growing up. I read through this entire series in one month and definitely liked it. There were many things that definitely dragged on about these but overall I liked it but wouldn't say I'm a die hard fan.