THE NARNIA CODE

THE NARNIA CODE by Michael Ward

When I first started into The Narnia Code, I have to admit I was thinking "this is interesting, but do I really care?" I really don't like putting words in authors' mouths or stating what I think motives are behind authors when they're dead and can't weigh in on the discussion. However, the more I read this book, the more interesting it became, and I feel that we can extend some credibility to author Michael Ward as he is the senior research fellow of Blackfriars Hall at the University of Oxford and worked as a warden/curator of The Kilns (Lewis's home), even sleeping in his old bedroom and using his study. With all of that being said, I do keep front and center the fact that Lewis is not here and therefore cannot validate the information, but boy is it interesting.

As a child Ward loved The Chronicles of Narnia but was bothered by some of the unique characters that Lewis included such as Father Christmas or Bacchus in the books. They seemed almost randomly placed in the story, unanchored by the point of the plot. Knowing that Lewis was a deep thinker, it never quite sat right with Ward that they weren't placed there purposely. The more Ward read Lewis's additional writings the more he became aware of overlapping elements until he stumbled upon what he felt was the "key" to unlocking "The Narnia Code." The explanation that Ward presents in his book is an interesting possibility, and he offers a fair amount of "evidence" to support his theory.

This book is not just a surface read book. It is deep, and I feel that it's one that I really need to read a few times to ponder the explanations given. It did hold my interest and oftentimes I would have to set it aside and digest the offerings. It is a book that will make it to my personal shelf, and I will visit again.