So, through a series of well-planned in-car discussions, I finally convinced the kid that I should read him The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. And already, at the end of chapter four, I am not sure it was such a good idea.
He has already been near-tears at Edmund's behaviour and is coming up with his own version of a twelve-step program to reduce Turkish Delight addiction. He is concerned that Edmund will do something evil before he can get out of the clutches of the witch (but he has no doubts that Edmund will go back to the side of Good before the end). He has been concerned that the Wardrobe door will close, and leave all the children stranded in Narnia forever. Before Peter and Susan have even got there at all.
I am somewhat concerned with what is going to happen with the whole stone knife thing (Edmund and Aslan moments). And for me it has always been very worrying about the little bush-land family eating their Christmas dinner who get turned to stone. Does Aslan turn them back before he leaves, or are they sitting there still, forks raised?
So I'm thinking there are more tears and anxiety ahead. And perhaps I am a bad mama. But I hope it's worth it, and that the avid excitement he also feels is the emotion he remembers when we have finished.
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5 comments:
Your kid sounds ace at being sensitive to a story's needs. Mine loves stories, but eats them as if they were chocolate and doesn't think much about them once consumed.
I always like to think that all the stone animals change back after Aslan moves on, even the bad ones, who then see the error of their ways. Aslan presses the 'restart' button, so to speak.
He'll like the Voyage of the Dawntreader--- Eustace is such an enjoyable whinger.
Oh, dear, the perils of being a thoughtful and empathetic child. It's probably worth constantly reassuring him that it all turns out all right (for the good people/creatures, anyway); that's more important than avoiding spoilers. But yes, I expect the Stone Table episode will be very difficult.
I've an idea there's a letter where Lewis replies to a child asking about those party animals, assuring the child that they were restored to cuddliness. The author may have forgotten about them, but Aslan didn't.
My lot saw the movie before I had a chance to read them the book.
I'm sure I've seen the letter Shayne mentions, I'm pretty sure it's in Letters to Children.
The kid also eats books like they are chocolate. It's just that he's read so many by now I think he knows how they work.
We had a lot of fun with the chapter about having dinner with the Beavers tonight. It makes me realise (again) how important those breaks are in a story - food and cheer between anxiety and horror. Like Stephanie Plum going for krispy kremes.
I'm thinking he'll like The Horse and His Boy as well - Bree carries on a treat.
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