Why Older Adults Should Read (or Reread) the Narnia Books

Quick Summary: Cold winter nights are the perfect excuse to settle in with a good book, and C.S. Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia make for a cozy, meaningful read for older adults of faith. Readers can enjoy the adventure alongside the deeper Christian allegory woven throughout, including the well-known Christ figure of Aslan. Reading aloud to grandchildren or starting a book club adds a new way to enjoy the stories together.

It’s important for older adults to find ways to live appropriately active and social lifestyles, but it can also be nice to remain cozy in your own home or assisted living apartment during cold winter nights. One way you can pass that time in a positive, fun way is to dive into a great book series. Whether you read it as a child or are completely new to it, the Narnia series by C.S. Lewis may be an ideal winter read — especially for older adults of faith.

What Are the Narnia Books?

The Chronicles of Narnia is a series of allegorical children’s fantasy books by C.S. Lewis. The best reading order for the books is somewhat debated in enthusiast circles. If you’re new to the series, you may want to read them in the following order:

• The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
• Prince Caspian
• The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
• The Silver Chair
• The Horse and His Boy
• The Magician’s Nephew
• The Last Battle

The first four books in the list above involve stories about a group of related children venturing into the fantastical land of Narnia and tend to make sense when read in that order. The Magician’s Nephew is a prequel that takes place before all the others, and The Horse and His Boy takes place between The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and Prince Caspian but doesn’t really involve the same characters. However, you can read these two books at any point while making your way through the Narnia stories.

For the best impact of a first-time read-through, though, ensure you start with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and end with The Last Battle.

Why the Narnia Books Aren’t Just for Kids

Like all great children’s literature, the Narnia stories can be delightful for young readers and adults alike. Older adults who’ve enjoyed the stories before may find whimsy and nostalgia in a deep winter read-through, and those who haven’t journeyed into Narnia before may welcome the adventure they find.

Christian readers may also enjoy the nuanced allegorical themes woven into the stories. Many people know that the stories contain a Christ figure in the form of the lion Aslan, and there are certain quotable moments for Christians regarding that connection. But Lewis weaves advanced theology through the books in such a way that readers can enjoy these stories as both entertainment and a sort of devotional reading.

Some Tips for Enjoying the Narnia Books in Retirement

If reading some or all of the Narnia books sounds like an ideal way to pass the winter months this year, here are some tips you can use to maximize your enjoyment:

• Read with others. Read aloud to grandchildren, or start a book club in your assisted living community. The Narnia stories are fun to read on your own, but Lewis includes many themes that are exciting to explore with others in conversation.
• Listen to the audiobooks. All the stories are available in audiobook formats performed by talented narrators who bring the magic of the narratives to light. Start with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe read by Michael York, and don’t miss The Last Battle performed by Patrick Stewart.
• Watch the movies. The first three books in the list above were adapted into major motion pictures over the past few decades. After you finish reading each of them, plan a movie night to watch the action unfold in a visual format.
• Keep a journal. C.S. Lewis was a truly deep thinker, and even his children’s stories are imbued with philosophy and thoughtful moments. As you read, keep pen and paper handy to write down quotes you want to remember or thoughts you want to explore later.
• Read Lewis’s nonfiction. If you haven’t explored any of Lewis’s nonfiction, consider adding a couple of those books to your winter reading list too. The apologetics in his essays provide a lot of insight into Lewis’s storytelling and can help you find more meaning in the Narnia books. A great place to start if you’re new to C.S. Lewis’s nonfiction is Mere Christianity.

Choosing an author or series to concentrate on each winter can be a fun tradition to look forward to for older adults who like to read. But if this practice doesn’t make the winter nights sound cozier, think about other ways you can enjoy the time. A list of favorite or new-to-you movies, learning something new or spending time on a favorite hobby are all great ways to spend time during winter.