The Horse And His Boy – Facsimile Edition

Author: C. S. Lewis
Illustrator: Pauline Baynes
Price: £80
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: 199

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 plus, very slightly marked, creased and rubbed dustwrapper. Please enquire if you would like further photographs of this work.

The Story:

The Horse and His Boy is the fifth book published in The Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis (though it is the third in chronological order). Published in 1954, it is set during the reign of the Pevensie siblings as kings and queens in Narnia (after the events of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe). The novel follows the journey of a young boy named Shasta and a talking horse named Bree as they escape from the oppressive land of Calormen to the freedom of Narnia.

Unlike the other books in the series, The Horse and His Boy takes place entirely in the world of Narnia and its surrounding lands, without the involvement of characters travelling from the real world. It is a tale of identity, adventure, and divine guidance.

Plot Summary:

The story centres on Shasta, an adopted boy living in Calormen, a land to the south of Narnia. He discovers that his adoptive father, Arsheesh, plans to sell him into slavery to a rich Calormene nobleman named Tarkaan Anradin. Shasta runs away with Bree, a talking Narnian horse who has been living in captivity in Calormen. Together, they plan to escape to Narnia. Along the way, they meet another pair of fugitives—Aravis, a young Calormene noblewoman fleeing an arranged marriage, and her talking horse, Hwin. The two pairs team up and make a daring journey across the desert to warn the Narnians of an impending invasion by the Calormenes.

Major Characters:

• Shasta (Cor): A boy raised as a fisherman’s son in Calormen, but who learns he is of Narnian royal blood. His journey is one of self-discovery and adventure.
• Bree: A proud and somewhat pompous talking Narnian horse who has lived in captivity in Calormen. He longs to return to Narnia and reclaim his freedom.
• Aravis: A young Calormene noblewoman who runs away from an arranged marriage. She is brave and resourceful, though initially somewhat arrogant.
• Hwin: Aravis’s gentle and kind talking horse, who is also from Narnia.
• Aslan: The great lion, who secretly guides and protects Shasta and his companions on their journey.
• King Lune: The king of Archenland, a small kingdom near Narnia. He is revealed to be Shasta’s biological father.
• Tisroc: The ruler of Calormen, a powerful and despotic empire to the south of Narnia.
• Prince Rabadash: The Tisroc’s arrogant son, who leads a military invasion against Narnia and Archenland after being spurned by Queen Susan of Narnia.

Key Plot Points:

1. Shasta’s Escape: Shasta overhears Tarkaan Anradin planning to buy him from his adoptive father. He meets Bree, a talking horse, who reveals his true identity as a Narnian horse. Together, they escape toward Narnia, hoping to find freedom.
2. Meeting Aravis and Hwin: Shasta and Bree encounter Aravis, a noble Calormene girl, and her talking horse Hwin. Aravis is fleeing an arranged marriage to a cruel older man. The four decide to journey together across the desert toward Narnia.
3. The City of Tashbaan: The group passes through the bustling Calormene capital, Tashbaan. In the city, Shasta is mistaken for Prince Corin, a Narnian prince, and taken to the Narnian delegation, which includes King Edmund and Queen Susan. He learns of Prince Rabadash’s plan to invade Narnia after Susan rejects his marriage proposal.
4. The Desert Crossing: Shasta and the others cross the desert to Archenland, a neighboring kingdom to Narnia. Along the way, they are pursued by Prince Rabadash’s army. Shasta faces great hardship during the journey but is unknowingly guided by Aslan, who appears in various forms to protect and direct him.
5. Shasta’s True Identity: Upon reaching Archenland, it is revealed that Shasta is actually Cor, the long-lost son of King Lune of Archenland. He was kidnapped as a baby by a Calormene raider and raised as Shasta, never knowing his true identity.
6. The Battle: Shasta (now Cor) warns the Narnians and Archenlanders about Rabadash’s impending invasion. A battle ensues, and the Narnians, led by Edmund and Peter, defeat Rabadash’s forces. Rabadash is captured and later transformed into a donkey by Aslan as punishment for his arrogance and cruelty.
7. The Happy Ending: Shasta (Cor) is reunited with his family and learns that he has a twin brother, Corin. He becomes the heir to the throne of Archenland. Aravis stays in Narnia, and eventually, she and Shasta marry. Bree and Hwin also find peace and happiness in Narnia.

Themes and Symbolism:

• Identity and Destiny: A central theme of the book is Shasta’s journey of self-discovery. He starts as a simple boy with no known heritage, but by the end of the story, he learns he is of royal blood. This reflects the idea of destiny and the unfolding of one’s true identity.
• Freedom and Escape: Both Shasta and Bree are fleeing from oppression in Calormen—Shasta from slavery and Bree from captivity. Their journey to Narnia represents the quest for freedom, both physically and spiritually.
• Divine Guidance: Aslan plays a central but subtle role throughout the story, guiding the characters through difficult situations, often without their awareness. His presence reflects the theme of divine guidance and protection, as well as the idea that one’s struggles are part of a greater plan.
• Humility and Growth: Bree, in particular, undergoes significant personal growth. Initially proud and full of himself, he learns humility and the importance of being less concerned with appearances and more focused on character.
• Courage and Friendship: The bond between the characters, particularly Shasta and Aravis, highlights the themes of friendship, loyalty, and courage. Aravis learns to trust others, while Shasta becomes more confident and brave as he faces various dangers.

Calormen and Narnia:

The Horse and His Boy offers a detailed portrayal of the land of Calormen, a society with a hierarchical, despotic system, contrasted with the more free and egalitarian culture of Narnia. While Narnia is portrayed as a land of talking animals and magic, Calormen is depicted as a more oppressive, imperialistic society.

Legacy:

The Horse and His Boy stands out in the Narnia series for its setting and focus on a protagonist born in the world of Narnia rather than a visitor from the real world. The novel is beloved for its themes of adventure, identity, and spiritual guidance, as well as its exploration of different cultures within the Narnian universe. Though less well-known than The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, it remains a favourite among readers who enjoy stories of personal growth and discovery.

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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