The Voyage of The Dawn Treader – Facsimile Edition

Author: C. S. Lewis
Illustrator: Pauline Baynes
Price: £40
Publisher: Harper Collins, London, UK
Edition: First edition thus, 2nd impression
Publication Date: 2010
Format: Original cloth gilt with dustwrapper
Condition: Near fine in very good dustwrapper
Size: 13.5cm x 20.4cm
Pages: 223

Description:

The facsimile edition in very similar format as the first edition. First edition thus, 2nd impression, with the number ‘2’ 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:

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is the third published book in The Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis (though it is the fifth in chronological order). First published in 1952, it is an exciting sea-faring adventure that follows King Caspian and the Pevensie siblings as they sail to the far eastern seas of Narnia in search of seven lost lords. This novel is a tale of exploration, self-discovery, and spiritual growth, blending adventure with rich allegory.

Plot Summary:

The story begins with Edmund and Lucy Pevensie, along with their annoying cousin Eustace Scrubb, being transported into Narnia through a painting of a ship on the sea. They find themselves aboard the Dawn Treader, a Narnian ship helmed by King Caspian (whom they helped in the previous novel, Prince Caspian). Caspian is on a quest to find the seven lords who were exiled by his uncle Miraz.

Throughout the voyage, they encounter magical islands, mysterious creatures, and perilous challenges, all of which help shape their characters and teach important life lessons.

Major Characters:

• King Caspian: The young king of Narnia, now on a mission to find the seven lost lords and explore the unknown eastern seas.
• Edmund Pevensie: The older of the two Pevensie siblings in this story, who has matured since his earlier experiences in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
• Lucy Pevensie: The youngest Pevensie, who remains deeply faithful to Aslan and has a key role in many of the story’s spiritual and magical moments.
• Eustace Scrubb: The Pevensies’ cousin, who starts out as a whiny, selfish boy but undergoes significant character development during the voyage.
• Reepicheep: The valiant and noble talking mouse, whose ultimate goal is to reach Aslan’s Country, which lies beyond the end of the world.
• Aslan: The great lion and true king of Narnia, who appears at key moments to offer guidance and spiritual wisdom.

Key Plot Points:

1. The Beginning of the Voyage: Edmund, Lucy, and Eustace are swept into Narnia through a painting of a ship on the sea and find themselves aboard the Dawn Treader. King Caspian explains that they are on a voyage to find the seven lords of Narnia who were exiled by his uncle Miraz.
2. The Adventures on the Islands:
   • The Lone Islands: The crew encounters a slave market, where Caspian frees the slaves and restores Narnian rule to the islands.
   • Eustace’s Transformation: On Dragon Island, Eustace wanders off, discovers a dragon’s treasure, and, due to his greed, is turned into a dragon. His time as a dragon humbles him, and with Aslan’s help, he is restored to human form, marking the beginning of his transformation from a selfish boy into a more compassionate person.
   • The Magician’s Island: On this island, Lucy enters an invisible magician’s house and encounters Dufflepuds, strange invisible creatures. Lucy must read a spell from a magic book to make them visible again.
   • The Dark Island: The crew encounters an island where all nightmares come true. They barely escape with their sanity intact, thanks to Aslan’s intervention.
3. Ramandu’s Island: The crew arrives at an island where they find three of the lost lords in a deep enchanted sleep. They meet Ramandu, a retired star, and his daughter, who explains that the lords will only awaken when they sail to the edge of the world and leave behind one of their party.
4. Reepicheep’s Destiny: Reepicheep, whose life’s ambition is to reach Aslan’s Country, volunteers to be the one to sail beyond the world’s end.
5. The End of the Voyage: After sailing to the farthest reaches of the sea, the Dawn Treader reaches the edge of the world. Reepicheep leaves the ship to journey alone into Aslan’s Country. The Pevensies and Eustace are sent back to their own world, with Aslan telling Edmund and Lucy that they will not return to Narnia again, as they are now too old.

Themes and Symbolism:

• Transformation and Redemption: The character arc of Eustace is central to the novel’s themes of personal transformation and redemption. His greed and selfishness turn him into a literal dragon, but with the help of Aslan, he sheds his scales, symbolizing his moral growth.
• Courage and Exploration: The novel emphasizes the importance of bravery, particularly in the face of the unknown. Each island presents new challenges and threats, but the crew of the Dawn Treader continues onward, showing courage in their quest.
• Faith and Spiritual Growth: Aslan’s presence in the story, often subtle but powerful, represents faith and spiritual guidance. Lucy’s encounters with Aslan, in particular, emphasize the importance of belief and trust in something greater than oneself.
• Longing for Heaven: Reepicheep’s quest to reach Aslan’s Country is often seen as an allegory for the Christian concept of Heaven. His unwavering dedication to reaching the end of the world reflects a spiritual journey toward ultimate peace and fulfillment.
• The Passage of Time: As the Pevensies grow older, the novel touches on the inevitability of leaving childhood (and Narnia) behind. For Lucy and Edmund, this is their final adventure in Narnia, as they are now too old to return.

Legacy:

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is considered one of the most beloved books in The Chronicles of Narnia series. It has been adapted into television shows and films, most notably as part of the 2010 film adaptation by Walden Media. Its rich blend of adventure, fantasy, and moral allegory has made it a favourite among readers of all ages.

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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