Author: C.S. Lewis
Genres: Fantasy, Classics, Fiction, Young Adult
Series: The Chronicles of Narnia Book #3
(Chronological Order)
Year published: 1954
Page count: 224 pages (Paperback)
My rating: 4 ⭐️
Hello, dearies!
It took me some time, yet, again to read a Narnian book, and I enjoyed it more than The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, why? I cannot tell for sure. Have you read these books? Or better question, did you read the Narnia books in publication order or chronological order?
But what is The Horse and His Boy about, truly? The condensed version, it is about a talking horse and a boy who does not know who he is. And no, that is not spoiler as the book description says this specifically.
So, after reading the book, I was glad, but at the same time took a moment to consider whether I liked it or not, and that has been the theme with these Narnian books, this is the third one (I’m reading in chronological order), and all had been: hmm did I like it?
Honestly, yes, I am enjoying the stories, not so much the narrative, because C.S. Lewis, put my reader’s patience to the test with the strange wording and point of view.
In any case, let’s me ramble on The Horse and His Boy.
Book Plot
The Horse and his Boy is a captivating and intense fantasy tale that follows a brave young boy named Shasta, who escapes from his homeland alongside the remarkable talking horse, Bree. Upon uncovering a sinister scheme devised by the Calormen people to invade Narnia, they embark on an urgent mission to alert the residents of the looming threat and ensure their safety from impending doom.
My View of The Horse and His Boy
As I said, I liked the book enough that I gave it four stars. It is only 200 pages long, so it should be a nice weekend read, not an over two-month one, but moving on from that, it was interesting to see that there is not only Narnia in Narnia, from The Magician’s Nephew, we learnt that there were other worlds. But this is not another world, it’s another city, country? Country, that is close to Narnia, and where Shasta lives along with the Calormen people. And the events of this book take place while our group of siblings is still in there, growing up and acting as the Kings and Queens, meaning before the end of The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. This is why I wanted to read in Chronological order, this way, the story will make more sense to me towards the end, but that’s how my brain works.
So, we go on an adventure with this slave boy (adopted) who lived in a desert-like country. He wants to leave, and the talking horse wants to return to his country, and that’s how they go on an adventure to return to Narnia.
Who are the main characters?
For about 70% of the book.
- Shasta – the main character, The Boy
- Aravis – a girl who meets up with Shasta and later on goes on adventures with him.
- Bree – the talking Horse
- Hwin – another talking Horse
Spoilers next, other characters in the book are also Corin, Rabadash, Aslan, Edmund, Lucy, and Susan. Mostly once we are back in Narnia.
Can you read it as a Standalone?
You can, but if you don’t know anything about Narnia, you might be a little lost.
Is Aslan important in the book?
It would seem so, yes, at the end it becomes clear that this Lion likes to get involved in people’s affairs, just as in other books, I assume. Even if it is hurting or scaring the characters, because it did.
Do I recommend it?
Yes, but not if you are looking for a full Narnia experience. It is one part of a whole, and if you’d like the main story, you could move on to Prince Caspian.
I am enjoying each piece of the story, though I haven’t given up on reading the books, and I already started book 4. Expect the book review here on the blog.
And that’s all, dearies! Thank you for reading to the end. If you’re enjoying the Narnia books along with me, let me know in the comments.
If you’re planning to read them later, I’d love to know whether you’re doing it in chronological Order or Publication Order.
Happy reading!
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