The ultimate guide to The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe audiobook

Chances are you’re already familiar with The Chronicles of Narnia books or movies. The Narnia books are comprised of seven fantasy novels written by C. S. Lewis, the first of which is The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

The book came out in 1951, a few years before fellow fantasy author J. R. R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings but after the first publication of The Hobbit trilogy. C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien were friends in real life, and they profoundly influenced each other's work.

Still, The Chronicles of Narnia and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe offer a vastly different world than the one Tolkien created. Narnia is filled with allegories and provides a fantasy refuge for children. The series and book has received many adaptions, including movies, stage plays in places like New York and around the world, and soon a Netflix adaptation.

If you're considering listening to the audiobook, here’s everything you need to know about this novel.

What is the audiobook about?

Perhaps, unsurprisingly, the books from The Chronicles of Narnia are best sellers and are currently distributed by HarperCollins Publishers. Before we discuss all the first books in the series and discuss the main themes, here's a list of all seven books from the series:

• The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1950)
• Prince Caspian: The Return to Narnia (1951)
• The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (1952)
• The Silver Chair (1953)
• The Horse and His Boy (1954)
• The Magician’s Nephew (1955)
• The Last Battle (1956)

It’s also important to point out that Pauline Baynes, an English illustrator, created the cover art for the books in the Narnia series.

So, what happens in the The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe audiobook?

The novel focuses on Pevensie siblings Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy. To escape the Blitz, the infamous bombing of London by Germany in World War II, they move to Professor Kirke’s home in the English countryside. There, Lucy discovers a wardrobe with an entrance to the magical world of Narnia.

Initially, her siblings do not believe her, but they soon find out it's real and in trouble. The evil White Witch, a wicked ruler of Narnia, keeps the county in perpetual winter. The children meet a faun named Tumnus and Mr. and Mrs. Beaver, who tell them about the true ruler of Narnia—Aslan, the brave lion. The children choose to fight for the survival of Narnia.

According to his own words, C. S. Lewis found inspiration in fairy tales and has created works that appeal to both children and grown-ups.

Christian themes in the book

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe contains many Christian allegories. The fantasy novel is about magical worlds, creatures, and events. But every character and story represents Christian motifs.

These are the most prominent examples of Christian themes in the audiobook:

• Aslan dies and comes back to life, thus representing Jesus Christ the Savior.
• The Emperor-beyond-the Sea is a clear parallel to God the Father.
• Aslan breathing life into his warriors represents the Holy Spirit visiting Jesus's disciples.
• Sin and death are represented in the character of the White Witch.
• Edmund taking the Turkish delight from the White Witch represents Adam’s original sin.

Other audiobooks by the author

Whether you subscribe to Amazon Audible or get your audiobooks elsewhere, you can enjoy many other works of C. S. Lewis. You can also check out some online book clubs discussing the Narnia series or watch a BBC-produced TV show from the 1980s.

The Chronicles of Narnia Complete Audio Collection is particularly a treat as it contains a star-studded cast. Phenomenal actors like Kenneth Branagh, Michael York, Lynn Redgrave, and Patrick Stewart narrate audiobooks in the collection.

Other available audiobooks from C. S. Lewis are:

• The Screwtape Letters
• Mere Christianity
• Till We Have Faces
• The Four Loves
• The Problems of Pain

You can expand your wish list with other fantasy series, as well. If you love the world of magic and haven't read Harry Potter books, perhaps you can start with those audiobooks.

You can also read the Percy Jackson novel series by author Rick Riordan. There are five books in the series, and the story revolves around Greek gods but in the 21st century.

Of course, you can also read the Alice in Wonderland classic by Lewis Carroll and introduce the kids in your life to the Winnie the Pooh book series.

Listen to your Narnia research with Speechify

The Chronicles of Narnia series has captivated readers for over seven decades. During these years, many literary scholars and readers have written about the world of Narnia.

While you can listen to podcasts that discuss the work of C. S. Lewis, you can also listen to research and articles with the help of text to speech tools. Speechify is a fantastic solution for anyone who wants to read character studies or Narnia movie reviews.

You can use Speechify Chrome extension or download an Android or iOS app for your mobile device. Try Speechify today for free and start listening to research about Narnia read aloud.

FAQ

Who is the narrator of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe audiobook?

The audiobook's narrator for The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is Michael York, a well-known English actor.

What is the name of the character who hosted a party for the children in the book?

The small animals are hosting the tea party, but the White Witch turns them into stone.

How does the Witch get into the country?

The White Witch was the only remaining resident of the World of Chan. She was brought to the Land of Narnia by accident on the very day of its creation. Initially, she was banished to the far north by Aslan, the Great Lion, but came back nearly a thousand years later to throw a curse on Narnian subjects.

What is the name of the girl that is smaller than the other children?

The youngest child and the protagonist of the book is Lucy. She is the first one to discover the magical world of Narnia.