How To Read The Chronicles Of Narnia Books In Order

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“One day, you will be old enough to start reading fairytales again.”

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If you’re planning to dive into C.S. Lewis’ beloved fantasy series, you may be wondering what’s the best order to read The Chronicles of Narnia. With seven books in the series, including classics like The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, and Prince Caspian, readers often ask whether to follow the chronological order of the Narnia books or the original publication order. The truth is, there’s no single right answer – both approaches offer a unique journey through Narnia’s magical world. Today at What We Reading, we’re breaking down the Chronicles of Narnia books in order, explaining the differences between chronological and publication order, and helping you decide how to read the series for the first time or on a re-read. Whether you’re introducing new generations to this timeless classic or revisiting it yourself, this Narnia reading order guide will give you all you need to step into the wardrobe with confidence! 

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The Chronicles Of Narnia Books In Publication Order

When C.S. Lewis first published The Chronicles of Narnia, readers discovered the magical world in the order the books were published. Many fans prefer this sequence because it reflects the way in which the stories originally unfolded, preserving the surprises, pacing, and character introductions as Lewis intended for his first audience. 

Here’s the publication order of the Chronicles of Narnia books: 

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

The Chronicles Of Narnia Books In Chronological Order

Some readers prefer to experience The Chronicles of Narnia in chronological order, which follows the timeline of events in Narnia’s world, rather than the order in which C.S. Lewis originally published them. This sequence begins with the creation of Narnia and ends with its conclusion, offering a seamless progression through the history of the land and its characters. 

Many first-time readers find this order easier to follow, since it unfolds like a continuous story from beginning to end. 

Here’s the chronological order of the Chronicles of Narnia books

1. The Magician’s Nephew
2. The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe
3. The Horse and His Boy
4. Prince Caspian: The Return to Narnia
5. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
6. The Silver Chair
7. The Last Battle

Reading in chronological order allows you to watch Narnia’s story unfold from its creation to its closing chapter. 

The Chronicles of Narnia Reading Order

Book	Published	Earth Chronology	Narnia Chronology
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe	1950	1940	1000-1015
Prince Caspian	1951	1941	2303
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader	1952	Summer 1942	2306-2307
The Silver Chair	1953	Autumn 1942	2356
The Horse and His Boy	1954	[1940]	1014
The Magician’s Nephew	1955	1900	1
The Last Battle	1956	1949	2555

Narnia Book Summaries

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (1950)

Four siblings discover the magical land of Narnia through a wardrobe, where they join a great battle against the White Witch and her endless winter. 

Prince Caspian (1951)

The Pevensie children return to Narnia to help Prince Caspian reclaim his throne from a corrupt usurper. 

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (1952)

Lucy, Edmund, and their cousin Eustace sail with Prince Caspian across the seas of Narnia on a quest filled with wonder, danger, and transformation.

The Silver Chair (1953)

Eustace and his classmate Jill are sent to Narnia to find Prince Rilian, son of Caspian, who has disappeared under a dark enchantment. 

The Horse and His Boy (1954)

Set during the reign of the Pevensies, this story follows a boy named Shasta and a talking horse. They flee their homeland and uncover a threat to Narnia. 

The Magician’s Nephew (1955)

This prequel reveals the creation of Narnia, the origins of the wardrobe, and the first encounter with the great lion, Aslan. 

The Last Battle (1956)

The final book in the series depicts Narnia’s end times, where a false Aslan rises and faithful Narnians must face their ultimate test. 

Chronological Vs. Publication Order: Which Should You Choose?

One of the most hotly debated discussions readers have is whether to read The Chronicles of Narnia novels in publication order or chronological order. Both approaches are valid, and your choice depends on the sort of reading experience you’re after. 

C.S. Lewis himself suggested in a 1957 letter to an eleven-year-old boy named Lawrence that he leaned more towards chronological order, starting with The Magician’s Nephew. To quote Lewis himself: 

“I think I agree with your order for reading the books more than with your mother’s. The series was not planned beforehand, as she thinks. When I wrote The Lion, I did not know I was going to write any more. Then I wrote P. Caspian as a sequel and still didn’t think there would be any more, and when I had done The Voyage, I felt quite sure it would be the last. But I found that I was wrong. So perhaps it does not matter very much in which order anyone reads them.”

However, plenty of fans have made the case that publication order preserves the sense of wonder and discovery that original readers enjoyed. 

Pros of Publication Order:

• Preserves the original pacing and reveals what Lewis intended by Lewis as he wrote them.
• Matches the experience of the first generation of readers.
• Builds mystery around Narnia’s origins before later books explained them.

Pros of Chronological Order:

• Follows Narnia’s timeline from creation to conclusion.
• Feels like a smoother, more linear arc.
• Easier for first-time readers to follow without huge timeline jumps.

Ultimately, there isn’t a “right” way – both orders allow you to experience the magic of Narnia in full. 

FAQs

What is the Best Order to Read The Chronicles of Narnia?

There’s no single “best” order – it all depends on your preferences. Many readers begin with the publication order to enjoy the series as C.S. Lewis’ audience first did, whereas others prefer the chronological order for a smoother timeline. 

Should I Read Narnia in Chronological or Publication Order?

If you’re reading the series for the first time, we would recommend publication order as it preserves the original surprises and pacing. Chronological order works well if you’d like the story of Narnia to flow in a straight timeline from creation to final battle. 

How many Books are in The Chronicles of Narnia Series?

There are seven books in all: The Magician’s Nephew, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, The Horse and His Boy, Prince Caspian, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, The Silver Chair, and The Last Battle.