The Magician's Nephew
by CS Lewis
Podcast Introduction
"Today I’m looking back at a book that I read at a very young age that I consider science fiction, of a sort. But it’s also high fantasy and a coming of age story. And while there is science taking place, it’s sometimes called magic. And yes, the details of how it all works are left as an exercise for the reader. I’m talking about The Magician’s Nephew by CS Lewis."
~Kimberly Hatch Harrison
~Kimberly Hatch Harrison
Socratica Reads Podcast
The Magician's Nephew
by CS Lewis
The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis serves as the prequel to The Chronicles of Narnia, exploring the origins of Narnia and its connections to other worlds. The story follows two children, Digory and Polly, who are transported to different realms through the use of magical rings created by Digory's uncle. One of these realms, the Wood Between the Worlds, introduces the concept of a liminal space filled with pools, each leading to a different universe, setting the stage for the creation of Narnia and the introduction of key characters like Aslan and the White Witch.
“Probably for me, the most important lesson from The Magician’s Nephew was this:
Just because you’re a scientist doesn’t mean you’re an enlightened human being. ”
Kimberly Hatch Harrison
Recommendation
The Martian Chronicles
The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury follows humanity's colonization of Mars and the resulting encounters with the planet’s native inhabitants. Through a series of connected stories, the book explores the impact of colonization on both the settlers and the Martians, blending science fiction with themes of cultural conflict and environmental change.
