The Last Battle, C.S. Lewis
What to say about this one? I don’t really like it. It’s not just the fact that Narnia comes to an end — though there’s that — but it’s also that I don’t really like any of the characters. I don’t have that same hook to make me care about what’s happening as I did in the earlier books. And it’s so preachy and obvious. There is some beauty in it — the universalism, for example, when those who do good deeds are really serving Aslan after all.
But. There’s also a ton of xenophobia and stereotypes, and let’s not even talk about the sexism as regards Susan. (Though, she’s not dead, so there’s always a chance for her. Small comfort.)
It’s hard to feel the joy of the ending after the rubbish that comes before it. I think in future, I’ll just skip this book if I reread the series again. Possibly The Silver Chair, too. It lacks the warmth and energy of the chronologically earlier books.
Yep. I remember thinking this on my last read-through: never again.
I’m glad it’s not just me.
I’m still puzzled why I never read more than one of the books. I think I was more into Enid Blyton and then Stephen King at the time to complete the books! I’d like to read a few of my childhood favourites again but I fear I won’t ever find the time!
It’s worth making the time, I think! Some of my revisits have been great.
Seems to be a common reaction! I choose to pretend that this book isn’t part of the series — such an unsatisfactory final book!
Agreed!