It's at least 20 years since I last read the story of Peter, Edmund, Susan and Lucy's return to Narnia. What's immediately obvious is that Prince Caspian does not have the overt gospel parallels that highlight The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. Aslan doesn't die and come back to life this time. Judging from secular reviews I've surveyed, this makes Prince Caspian more palatable to a wider audience.
However, Christianity is not absent. CS Lewis couldn't write another "Chronicle' without conveying further profound insights into the faith. This time, however, they are insights into things like the process of growth and the spiritual battle.
A good example is the passage that describes Lucy's realisation that her own faith, which in many ways shines more brightly than that of her siblings, has nonetheless been hidden behind allegiance to them. Deciding to follow Aslan even if the others won't, she apologises and declares, "I'm ready now". Aslan replies, "Now you are a lioness" and now all Narnia will be renewed".
I hope the filmmakers capture the power of that moment! Like Lucy, we grow in faith when we separate from the things in this world that hold us back and learn who we really are in relationship with Christ.
Like the other Narnia stories, Prince Caspian is an adventure. The children are drawn back to Narnia because a man has taken the throne who knows not Aslan. The story of how this came to be, and their role in ridding the land of his corruption, involves mystery and dramatic tension, friendship and betrayal, courage and fear, wisdom and folly, faith and doubt.
And battles. Parents reading to young children might like to take care just after Peter's fight with Miraz, for the battle at times is gruesome. The campaign to restore the throne to Caspian is not a children's game. It's a war against a usurper and deceiver who must be overthrown. In the end, it's Aslan who brings the victory, but in playing their part his followers must wear armour, use weapons and stand firm in the face of fierce opposition.
The parallels with the Christian life might be subtle enough to be missed by many readers. While this doesn't spoil the adventure for them, the picture of fighting the good fight of faith is well drawn by Lewis for those who have eyes to see.
Also like the other Narnia chronicles, this is fantasy. It's set in a world of dancing trees, dwarfs, centaurs, fawns and talking animals.
Take animal characters such as Reepicheep. Mickey Mouse and Mighty Mouse combined have nothing on this gallant little fellow. He too has an important spiritual lesson to learn, along the lines of "what does it profit a mouse " .? ". He goes on to greater things in The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, but Reepicheep's cameo in Prince Caspian is a delight.
CS Lewis has given us the chance to enter into a reading experience full of daring adventure, great characters and healthy lessons for life. Allow Susan's horn to call you back to Narnia and enjoy!
