Prince Caspian – The Return To Narnia – Facsimile Edition

Author: C. S. Lewis
Illustrator: Pauline Baynes
Price: £30
Publisher: Harper Collins, London, UK
Edition: First edition thus, 3rd impression
Publication Date: 2009
Format: Original cloth gilt with dustwrapper
Condition: Near fine in very good dustwrapper
Size: 13.5cm x 20.4cm
Pages: 195

Description:

The facsimile edition in very similar format as the first edition. First edition thus, 3rd impression, with the number ‘3’ to the number line. Illustrated throughout by Pauline Baynes. Binding nice and tight. Pages nice and clean. A near fine, tight, clean copy in very good, slightly marked, creased and rubbed dustwrapper. Please enquire if you would like further photographs of this work.

The Story:

Prince Caspian is the second published book in The Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis (though it is the fourth book in chronological order). First published in 1951, it is a direct sequel to The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, featuring the return of the Pevensie siblings to the magical land of Narnia. The novel explores themes of courage, faith, and the restoration of rightful leadership.

Plot Summary:

The story begins one year after the events of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe in the Pevensie siblings’ world, but centuries have passed in Narnia. The four siblings—Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy—are magically transported back to Narnia from a train station in England. They discover that Narnia has fallen under the rule of the Telmarines, a race of humans who have suppressed the magical creatures and ancient traditions of Narnia. The rightful heir to the throne, Prince Caspian, is in hiding after his evil uncle, King Miraz, seized power.

Major Characters:

• Prince Caspian: The young prince of Narnia who becomes the rightful king. He is brave, just, and determined to restore Narnia to its former glory.
• Peter Pevensie: The eldest of the Pevensies, who once ruled as the High King of Narnia. He takes on a leadership role in helping Caspian reclaim his throne.
• Susan Pevensie: The second eldest Pevensie sibling, who is skilled with a bow and arrow. She remains cautious and logical.
• Edmund Pevensie: Edmund has matured since his betrayal in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and is a loyal and strategic fighter in this story.
• Lucy Pevensie: The youngest Pevensie, who remains deeply faithful to Aslan and is able to see him when others cannot.
• Aslan: The great lion and true king of Narnia, who appears at pivotal moments to guide and inspire the children. He represents faith and spiritual leadership.
• King Miraz: Caspian’s evil uncle, who has usurped the throne of Narnia and rules as a tyrant, repressing the old Narnians (talking animals and magical creatures).
• Reepicheep: A brave and noble talking mouse, fiercely loyal to Prince Caspian. He adds both courage and humor to the story.

Key Plot Points:

• Return to Narnia: The Pevensies are unexpectedly pulled back into Narnia while waiting for a train in England. They find themselves in a desolate area, which they eventually realize is the ruins of Cair Paravel, the castle where they once ruled as kings and queens.
• Prince Caspian’s Story: The story shifts to Prince Caspian’s background. Raised by his uncle King Miraz, Caspian is unaware of Narnia’s magical past. However, his tutor, Doctor Cornelius, secretly tells him about Old Narnia, the talking animals, and Aslan. When Miraz’s wife gives birth to a son, Caspian’s life is in danger, and he is forced to flee. He joins forces with the Old Narnians to reclaim the throne.
• The Gathering of Forces: The Pevensies meet Caspian after following Aslan’s guidance. They help Caspian rally the Old Narnians, including talking animals, dwarfs, and centaurs, who have been in hiding under Miraz’s reign.
• The Duel: Peter challenges King Miraz to single combat in order to avoid a full-scale war. Though Peter is victorious, treachery among Miraz’s own people leads to the Telmarines launching an attack.
• Aslan’s Intervention: Aslan reappears in Narnia, bringing hope and restoring faith. His presence encourages those who had doubted, and he leads a group to liberate the lands that have been suffering under Telmarine rule.
• Victory and Restoration: With Aslan’s help, Caspian is able to defeat Miraz’s forces and reclaim the throne of Narnia. Caspian is crowned King of Narnia, promising to restore peace and equality between humans and the magical creatures of Narnia.
• The Pevensies’ Departure: At the end of the novel, Aslan tells Peter and Susan that they will not return to Narnia again, as they are growing too old. Edmund and Lucy, however, will return once more in the future.

Themes and Symbolism:

• Faith and Belief: Much like in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Aslan represents faith and spiritual belief. Lucy’s ability to see Aslan when others cannot highlights the importance of belief without proof.
• Restoration of Justice: The rightful restoration of Prince Caspian to the throne parallels themes of justice, leadership, and the reclaiming of what has been lost.
• Courage and Sacrifice: The Pevensies, particularly Peter and Lucy, show tremendous courage in the face of danger, while Caspian sacrifices his safety to fight for Narnia’s future.
• The Old vs. The New: The novel explores the tension between the old Narnians (talking animals and magical creatures) and the new ruling order of the Telmarines, which seeks to suppress the magical history of the land. This can be seen as an allegory for the importance of tradition and heritage.

Legacy:

Prince Caspian is the second of the seven Chronicles of Narnia books and has been adapted into various forms, including a 2008 film by Walden Media and several stage and radio adaptations. The story, like other Narnia books, combines elements of adventure and fantasy with deeper philosophical and spiritual reflections.

C. S. Lewis: A Short Biography:

C.S. Lewis (Clive Staples Lewis) was a British writer, scholar, and lay theologian, best known for his works of fiction, especially The Chronicles of Narnia, and for his Christian apologetics. He is considered one of the most influential writers of the 20th century.

Early Life and Education:

• Birth: November 29, 1898, in Belfast, Ireland (now Northern Ireland).
• Family: Lewis was born to Albert James Lewis, a solicitor, and Florence Augusta Lewis, who was well-educated and instilled in him a love of reading.
• Childhood: Lewis was an imaginative child, creating fantastical worlds with his brother, Warren. He was deeply affected by the death of his mother when he was nine years old, which led to a period of spiritual doubt.
• Education: Lewis was educated at various schools in England and later attended University College, Oxford, where he excelled in classical literature, philosophy, and English literature.

Academic Career:

• Oxford University: After serving in World War I, where he was wounded, Lewis returned to Oxford and completed his studies. He became a fellow and tutor in English literature at Magdalen College, Oxford, a position he held from 1925 to 1954.
• Cambridge University: In 1954, he was appointed to the newly created Chair of Medieval and Renaissance Literature at Magdalene College, Cambridge, where he worked until his retirement.

Literary Career:

• Early Works: Lewis’s early publications included academic works on literature, such as The Allegory of Love (1936), a study of medieval literature.
• Conversion to Christianity: Originally an atheist, Lewis converted to Christianity in 1931, influenced by conversations with friends like J.R.R. Tolkien. His conversion profoundly impacted his writing and thought.
• Christian Apologetics: Lewis became a prominent Christian apologist, writing books such as Mere Christianity (1952), The Problem of Pain (1940), and The Screwtape Letters (1942). These works are known for their clarity, wit, and persuasive arguments for Christian faith.
• The Chronicles of Narnia: Lewis’s most famous fictional works are The Chronicles of Narnia, a series of seven fantasy novels written between 1949 and 1954. The series has become a classic of children’s literature, known for its imaginative world, moral lessons, and Christian allegory.
• Other Fiction: Lewis also wrote other notable fiction, including The Space Trilogy (also known as the Ransom Trilogy), which explores themes of good and evil, and The Great Divorce (1945), an allegorical tale about heaven and hell.

Personal Life:

• Friendship with Tolkien: Lewis was part of the informal literary group known as the Inklings, which included J.R.R. Tolkien. The group met regularly to discuss literature and ideas, and their friendship had a significant influence on both writers’ works.
• Marriage: Lewis married Joy Davidman, an American writer, in 1956. Their marriage was a source of deep joy for Lewis, but it was cut short by her death from cancer in 1960. Lewis later reflected on his grief in the book A Grief Observed (1961).

Death and Legacy:

• Death: C.S. Lewis died on November 22, 1963, in Oxford, England, the same day as the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
• Legacy: Lewis is remembered as one of the most influential Christian thinkers and writers of the 20th century. His works continue to be widely read and admired for their literary quality, moral depth, and spiritual insight. His influence extends across literature, theology, and popular culture.

Pauline Baynes: A Short Biography:

Pauline Baynes was a British illustrator best known for her work on C.S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia series and J.R.R. Tolkien’s books. Her detailed and imaginative illustrations have made her one of the most beloved illustrators in children’s literature.

Early Life and Education:

• Birth: Pauline Diana Baynes was born on September 9, 1922, in Hove, Sussex, England.
• Family and Childhood: Baynes spent part of her childhood in India, where her father worked, before returning to England. Her early experiences in both countries influenced her imaginative style.
• Education: She studied at the Farnham School of Art and then at the Slade School of Fine Art in London, though she left Slade to work for the Ministry of Defence during World War II.

Career:

• Early Career: Baynes began her career illustrating books and working on instructional manuals during the war. Her early work showcased her attention to detail and her ability to bring stories to life through art.
• Work with C.S. Lewis: Baynes’s career took a significant turn when she was selected to illustrate The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. Her illustrations for the seven books in the series, starting with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe in 1950, became iconic. Lewis was particularly pleased with her work, famously saying that she “had reduced his text to a commentary on her drawings.”
• Work with J.R.R. Tolkien: Baynes also illustrated several works by J.R.R. Tolkien, including Farmer Giles of Ham, The Adventures of Tom Bombadil, and Smith of Wootton Major. Tolkien admired her work and appreciated her ability to capture the essence of his Middle-earth, even though she never illustrated The Lord of the Rings itself.
• Style: Baynes was known for her intricate, decorative style, which often included medieval and fantasy elements. Her illustrations were filled with fine details and a sense of whimsy, making them perfect for the fantasy worlds she depicted.

Personal Life:

• Marriage: Pauline Baynes married Fritz Otto Gasch in 1961, a German former prisoner of war whom she met after the war. The couple lived in a village in Surrey, where she continued her work as an illustrator.

Later Work and Legacy:

• Prolific Career: Baynes illustrated over 100 books during her career, working with a variety of authors and genres. Her work extended beyond Narnia and Tolkien, including books by Richard Adams and Mary Norton.
• Recognition: Baynes received several awards and honours for her contributions to illustration, including the Kate Greenaway Medal in 1968. Her work remains beloved by readers and continues to be recognized for its artistic and literary value.
• Death: Pauline Baynes passed away on August 1, 2008, at the age of 85.

Legacy:

Pauline Baynes’s illustrations have left an indelible mark on the world of children’s literature. Her ability to visualize and enhance the worlds of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien has made her illustrations timeless, cherished by generations of readers. Her work continues to be celebrated for its beauty, detail, and the way it complements and enhances the stories she illustrated.

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