Powers of Horror

Powers of Horror cover
Good Books rating 4.17
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Technical
  • ID: 3867
  • Added: 2025-10-20
  • Updated: 2025-10-21
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3
Reviews
denniscooperblog.com · Unknown · 2025-10-21
mixed 3.50

The reviewer has strong personal connections to The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, having read it numerous times. They discuss the book's role in their religious upbringing and its allegorical nature, preferring to see it as a fantasy adventure rather than a strict Christian allegory. They also critique the plot's thinness and the characters' lack of agency.

The reviewer has a deep personal history with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, having read it more times than any other book. They focus on their personal reactions to the book, particularly its role in their religious upbringing as a white evangelical Christian. The reviewer prefers to see the book as a fantasy adventure rather than a strict Christian allegory, arguing that it's more about how Christ would appear in a fantasy world. They also critique the plot's thinness and the characters' lack of agency, noting that the children are mostly bystanders in the story. The reviewer appreciates Lewis's portrayal of Edmund's slide into treachery but criticizes a theological trap in the book.


Quick quotes

    They think Narnia more an answer to "how would Christ appear in this fantasy world?" than to "how do I get children interested in the themes of Christianity?

    The Republican Party is currently drowning in Edmunds.

    One of the problems that religion should confront directly is criticism that questions the moral foundations of that religion.

coalhillreview.com · Unknown · 2025-10-21
nostalgic 4.50

The reviewer initially found re-reading 'The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe' unnecessary due to its cultural ubiquity but came to appreciate Edmund's character as the most human and empathetic. They also admired Lewis' imaginative world-building and poetic writing style.

The reviewer initially felt that re-reading 'The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe' was superfluous due to its deep cultural roots in British childhood. However, upon closer examination, they found Edmund to be the most relatable and human character, providing the story with its heart and soul. The reviewer also praised C.S. Lewis' imaginative world-building and poetic writing style, which they found intoxicating and touching. The review acknowledges recent criticisms of the book's religious and social undertones but finds them unproblematic in this particular story.


Quick quotes

    The message seemed simple: he was the evil child, concerned only with stuffing his face; a wartime precursor to the ill-fated, gluttonous brats in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

    Even as the book commences, his relationship with his siblings is fractious… but understandably so: he is patronised and marginalised by the piously pompous Peter and Susan, and — we later discover — has had a miserable time at school to boot.

    What I really fell in love with as an 11-year-old was the sheer, simple poetry of Lewis’ writing, and it still touches me to this day.

londonreviewbookshop.co.uk · Unknown · 2023-11-07
great 4.50

The reviewer found 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe' to be a fantastic book to read with their son, praising its tight writing, good description, and action. They noted some minor issues with British slang and sexism but felt the book was well worth reading and a great starting point for the Narnia series.

The reviewer had a wonderful experience reading 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe' with their son. They appreciated the book's tight writing, good description, and action, making it one of the best books they've read together. The reviewer acknowledged some challenges with British slang and a few instances of sexism, but they felt these were minor compared to the overall quality of the book. They also emphasized the importance of reading the series in the correct order, starting with this book. The reviewer's son enjoyed the adventure and the imaginative world of Narnia, making it a memorable reading experience for both of them.


Quick quotes

    This is among the best. Good, tight writing, good description. Good action.

    The British slang will be a stumbling block to some.

    I've read books written this year that have ten times the sexism this one does.