The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is the first-written and best-known of the Narnia series, though chronologically it's the second book. It was published in 1950 and has since been adapted into two TV series, an animated film, at least one radio version, and a live-action film.
I'm pretty sure everyone knows the plot. Wardrobe leads to a magical land, Lucy meets a faun, there's an evil witch, etc. But just knowing the plot is nothing compared to the magic of reading the book and following Lucy into Narnia for the first time. Knowing there's an evil witch doesn't make it any less frightening when she turns people to stone. And just knowing there's a talking lion is nowhere near as awe-inspiring as Aslan's first appearance.
I read the entire Narnia series multiple times as a child, and I still read them now I'm (supposedly!) an adult. No matter how many times I go back to this book, it never loses any of its magic. From Lucy's amazement at the forest in the wardrobe, to Lucy and Susan crying beside Aslan's body, to Aslan's resurrection, the Witch's defeat, and the children's coronation, this book manages to draw the reader in to experience everything along with the characters. Not many children's books can do that with such skill. I think that's why the Narnia books are still so popular. Many books try to fulfill the reader's wish to see another world. But few of them manage to do it as well as The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
Especially interesting is how the book portrays Edmund's change from a bratty bully, to a (not entirely willing) traitor, to a hero and a king. Never mind children's books; very few books aimed at teenagers or adults manage to show such convincing character development. Or such overall excellent writing.
Is it available online?: Not as far as I know.
Rating: 10/10.
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