The Last Battle – Facsimile Edition

Author: C. S. Lewis
Illustrator: Pauline Baynes
Price: £30
Publisher: Harper Collins, London, UK
Edition: First edition thus
Publication Date: 2011
Format: Original cloth gilt with dustwrapper
Condition: Fine in fine dustwrapper
Size: 13.5cm x 20.4cm
Pages: 184

Description:

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The facsimile edition in very similar format as the first edition. First edition thus, with the number ‘1’ to the number line. Illustrated throughout by Pauline Baynes. Binding nice and tight. Pages nice and clean. A fine, tight, clean copy in fine, bright, clean, very slightly rubbed dustwrapper. Please enquire if you would like further photographs of this work.

The Story:

The Last Battle is the seventh and final book in The Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis, published in 1956. This book concludes the epic saga of Narnia with a story about deception, finality, and the ultimate triumph of good over evil. It is the darkest and most complex of the Narnia books, dealing with themes of betrayal, apocalypse, and the afterlife. It also brings closure to the journeys of the Pevensie siblings and other key characters from the series.

Plot Summary:

The story is set many generations after the reign of the Pevensie siblings. Narnia is in turmoil as an ape named Shift tricks a gullible donkey named Puzzle into impersonating Aslan. Using Puzzle in a lion’s skin, Shift manipulates the Narnians, telling them that Aslan has returned and is giving orders that undermine the values of Narnia. The deception grows as Shift allies with the Calormenes, who seek to conquer Narnia.

As Narnia falls deeper into chaos, King Tirian, the last king of Narnia, realizes the truth about the false Aslan and begins to rally his forces to save the kingdom. He calls for help, and Eustace Scrubb and Jill Pole, who were previously in Narnia in The Silver Chair, are transported from Earth to aid him in the final battle for Narnia’s soul.

Major Characters:

• King Tirian: The last king of Narnia, a brave and noble ruler who fights to save his kingdom from the forces of deception and evil.
• Jill Pole: One of the protagonists from The Silver Chair, she returns to help save Narnia alongside Eustace.
• Eustace Scrubb: Jill’s companion and a former Pevensie cousin, who has matured into a capable and courageous character.
• Shift: The cunning and manipulative ape who deceives Narnia by using Puzzle to impersonate Aslan. He represents greed and false leadership.
• Puzzle: A simple-minded and easily manipulated donkey who is convinced by Shift to wear a lion’s skin and pretend to be Aslan.
• Aslan: The great lion, representing goodness, truth, and spiritual guidance. Though absent for much of the story, Aslan appears at the end to oversee the final judgment of Narnia.
• Tash: The god of the Calormenes, representing evil and destruction. Tash plays a significant role in the final battle, as his worshippers seek to merge him with Aslan in a blasphemous scheme.
• Emeth: A noble Calormene soldier who seeks truth and, despite following Tash, is accepted by Aslan for his goodness and sincere quest for righteousness.

Key Plot Points:

1. The False Aslan: Shift convinces Puzzle to dress as Aslan and declares that Aslan has returned. The Narnians, desperate for guidance, follow Shift’s false teachings, even though they contradict Narnia’s traditional values. Shift orders the Narnians to ally with the Calormenes and even forces some to cut down trees, violating their bond with nature.
2. Tirian’s Realisation and Call for Help: King Tirian learns of the deception but is captured by the Calormenes. He prays to Aslan for help, and in response, Eustace and Jill are transported to Narnia. Together, they rescue Tirian and attempt to rally the remaining Narnians to fight against the false Aslan.
3. The Final Battle: The final battle occurs at Stable Hill, where the Narnians and Calormenes face off. The situation grows increasingly hopeless for Narnia, as many Narnians are either too frightened or too deceived to fight back. Tash, the evil god of the Calormenes, is summoned to Narnia and begins to claim the souls of the wicked. Despite their efforts, Tirian and his allies are overwhelmed.
4. The End of Narnia: Aslan appears, and the true nature of events is revealed. He calls the end of the world, with Narnia’s sun being extinguished and the world being consumed by darkness. Aslan separates the faithful from the unfaithful, leading the faithful Narnians into Aslan’s Country (a representation of heaven).
5. Aslan’s Country: The surviving characters, including the Pevensies (except Susan), discover that Aslan’s Country is a more perfect version of Narnia, filled with joy and beauty. It is revealed that the Narnia they knew was merely a shadow of this true, eternal world. Aslan tells them that they are no longer returning to their world, as they have died in a train crash (in the real world) and will remain in Aslan’s Country forever.
6. Susan’s Absence: Susan Pevensie, one of the original characters from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, does not appear in The Last Battle. It is revealed that Susan has grown away from her belief in Narnia and is focused on “silly things” like parties and fashion, symbolising her abandonment of child-like faith.

Themes and Symbolism:

• The Apocalypse: The novel depicts the literal end of the world of Narnia, symbolising the Christian concept of the apocalypse and the final judgment. Aslan’s role in the destruction and rebirth of Narnia mirrors the idea of divine justice.
• Truth and Deception: One of the central conflicts is between truth and deception. The false Aslan and the manipulation of Narnia’s inhabitants by Shift show how easily people can be deceived when they are desperate or fearful.
• Faith and Belief: Throughout the story, characters are tested in their belief in Aslan and Narnia. Those who remain true to their values and trust in Aslan are ultimately rewarded, while those who abandon their faith or give in to fear suffer.
• Death and Afterlife: The concept of death is central to the book’s ending, as the characters are told that they have died in the real world and have entered Aslan’s Country, a clear allegory for heaven. The journey into Aslan’s Country symbolizes the Christian belief in eternal life after death.
• The Role of Susan: Susan’s absence from the final adventure raises significant questions about belief and maturity. Her turning away from Narnia reflects a loss of faith, and C.S. Lewis has been criticized for how Susan is depicted, as she represents someone who has lost the childlike wonder necessary to enter Aslan’s Country.

Notable Quotes:

• Aslan’s Explanation of Narnia’s End: “The term is over: the holidays have begun. The dream is ended: this is the morning.” This quote reflects the idea that the real world (Narnia) was just a shadow of the true, eternal reality (Aslan’s Country).
• Puddleglum’s Declaration in The Silver Chair (which echoes in The Last Battle): “I’m on Aslan’s side even if there isn’t any Aslan to lead it.” This highlights the theme of faith in the face of deception and uncertainty.

Legacy:

The Last Battle is known for its deep philosophical and theological themes, as well as its poignant and bittersweet conclusion to the Narnia series. It explores darker themes than the previous books and deals with complex ideas about faith, truth, and the nature of the afterlife. The novel has been both praised and criticised for its depiction of Susan and its allegorical ending, but it remains a powerful and moving conclusion to the Narnia series. Its exploration of the end of the world and the promise of a new beginning in Aslan’s Country provides a hopeful and spiritual resolution to the saga.

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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