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series Reading Order

Chronicles of Narnia Books in Order

21 Books
4 Reading orders
1950 – 1999 Published
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Reading order

Where to Start Your Journey in Narnia

For most first-time readers, we highly recommend starting with the original publication order, beginning with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. This order introduces Narnia as a mysterious, hidden world, allowing you to discover its wonders alongside the Pevensie children. Starting chronologically with The Magician's Nephew spoils some of the magic and explains the origins of things (like the wardrobe and the lamppost) before you have even experienced them in the main narrative.

The Two Primary Reading Orders

1. Original Publication Order

This is the order in which the books were originally released between 1950 and 1956. It preserves the original sense of discovery and mystery:

  • The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (1950)
  • Prince Caspian (1951)
  • The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (1952)
  • The Silver Chair (1953)
  • The Horse and His Boy (1954)
  • The Magician's Nephew (1955)
  • The Last Battle (1956)

2. Chronological Order (HarperCollins Order)

This order follows the internal history of the world of Narnia, from its creation to its final days. Modern publisher boxed sets are numbered in this order:

  • The Magician's Nephew (1955)
  • The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (1950)
  • The Horse and His Boy (1954)
  • Prince Caspian (1951)
  • The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (1952)
  • The Silver Chair (1953)
  • The Last Battle (1956)

The Great Narnia Order Debate

The debate over the official reading order stems from a 1957 letter written by C.S. Lewis to a young fan named Laurence Krieg. Laurence's mother preferred publication order, while Laurence preferred chronological. Lewis responded that he agreed with Laurence's order, but added, 'perhaps it does not matter very much in which order anyone reads them.' Today, the current publisher HarperCollins uses this letter to justify chronological numbering, but many scholars and fans still recommend publication order for a first read.

Narnia Picture Books and Companions

The World of Narnia Picture Books

Published in the late 1990s and featuring illustrations by Deborah Maze, this series of picture books adapts C.S. Lewis's stories into simplified retellings for younger children (typically ages 5–9):

  • Lucy Steps Through the Wardrobe (1997)
  • Edmund and the White Witch (1997)
  • Aslan (1998)
  • Aslan's Triumph (1998)
  • Uncle Andrew's Troubles (1998)
  • The Wood Between the Worlds (1999)

Companion Volumes

For readers looking to dive deeper into Narnian lore, companion books offer excellent guides to the characters and creatures:

  • A Book of Narnians: The Lion, the Witch and the Others (compiled by James Riordan, illustrated by Pauline Baynes)

Frequently Asked

QWhich Chronicles of Narnia book should I read first?

We recommend starting with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. While modern boxed sets often list The Magician's Nephew first, reading in publication order preserves the magical sense of discovery intended by C.S. Lewis.

QWhat did C.S. Lewis say about the reading order?

In a 1957 letter to a young fan, C.S. Lewis wrote that he preferred the chronological reading order but noted that 'perhaps it does not matter very much in which order anyone reads them.'

QAre 'The World of Narnia' books part of the main series?

No. The World of Narnia books are a series of simplified, illustrated picture books published in the late 1990s with artwork by Deborah Maze, aimed at introducing younger children to the stories.

QWhat is the chronological order of Narnia?

The chronological order is: 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.

QWhen was A Book of Narnians published?

Although some databases list it with earlier years, the companion book A Book of Narnians: The Lion, the Witch and the Others, compiled by James Riordan and illustrated by Pauline Baynes, was originally published in 1994.

QHow many books are in the main Chronicles of Narnia series?

There are seven books in the core Chronicles of Narnia series, all written by C.S. Lewis and published between 1950 and 1956.