I chose not to take a close look at these covers, though I’m hopeful the colorful artwork will pull in many new readers. I read these books in the 60s and they have a very special meaning for me. The magic between the covers helped me through a very difficult childhood. The visuals I have are memories I made all on my own.
As an artist, I appreciate the new covers, I can't imagine living up to such a task. However, like you, having discovered the books in the 1960s I will always return to those first additions and the artwork that inspired my imagination.
Isn't that the beauty of first impressions? Especially of something that turns into a wonderful experience. We can never have a second first impression. My first impression was my 5th grade teacher reading LWW aloud in class. Narnia will always have a connection to Mrs. Bingamam for me 55 years hence.
It's worth considering how to give our kids and grandkids a suitable first impression of Narnia, and other things worth hooking on their memory.
Truly beautiful illustrations! They draw you into the world of Narnia immediately. I have such special childhood memories of my Father reading the Chronicles of Narnia to my sisters and I by the fireplace. I still read them as an adult.
As an artist myself who first discovered the books at 10 years old, on a rainy day in 1967, in a thatched farmhouse in the English countryside, I would have loved and been humbled to take on such a task. I don't know of any books that molded who I am today more than these books. At the moment, I am rereading for perhaps the hundredth time The Last Battle as I think we need this book more than ever these days. You did a beautiful job with the illustrations. For myself, I always go back to the original artwork, but I know that time moves on. These books are timeless.
I love the beautiful Horse and his Boy cover! One of the most memorable and thrilling moments of the series rendered with all the sand kicking up and the intervention of Aslan brought down to Earth. It is also fantastic to see Reepicheep on the cover of Voyage of Dawn Treader; it really is Reeps story and journey. The VDT cover does make the story look like an action novel, though.
For the other covers, I will always prefer the Pauline Baynes ones, but these will welcome a new generation of readers into the rich, colorful world of Narnia.
I am curious to pick up the books in a bookstore and see what is on the back cover and the flaps. I am guessing Tumnus is somewhere on the LWW back cover and Uncle Andrew or the Tree of Youth is on the MN cover and Puddleglum is somewhere on the back of the SC cover.
I am hoping for a revival of Narnia fans among people even younger than me with these new, exciting, attractive, action-packed covers, and with Gerwig's Magicians Nephew film coming at the end of next year! Further up and further in.
Love these! Can't wait to add them to my collection. I especially love The Horse and His Boy (that was the first one I read, so it has a special place in my heart). Reep in The Dawn Treader is fantastic!!
I chose not to take a close look at these covers, though I’m hopeful the colorful artwork will pull in many new readers. I read these books in the 60s and they have a very special meaning for me. The magic between the covers helped me through a very difficult childhood. The visuals I have are memories I made all on my own.
As an artist, I appreciate the new covers, I can't imagine living up to such a task. However, like you, having discovered the books in the 1960s I will always return to those first additions and the artwork that inspired my imagination.
Isn't that the beauty of first impressions? Especially of something that turns into a wonderful experience. We can never have a second first impression. My first impression was my 5th grade teacher reading LWW aloud in class. Narnia will always have a connection to Mrs. Bingamam for me 55 years hence.
It's worth considering how to give our kids and grandkids a suitable first impression of Narnia, and other things worth hooking on their memory.
You've made a lovely case for your new covers and I was set to refuse them! Your art is great and covers wonderful additions to the books.
Truly beautiful illustrations! They draw you into the world of Narnia immediately. I have such special childhood memories of my Father reading the Chronicles of Narnia to my sisters and I by the fireplace. I still read them as an adult.
The Horse and His Boy has a stunning cover! Thanks for sharing this :)
As an artist myself who first discovered the books at 10 years old, on a rainy day in 1967, in a thatched farmhouse in the English countryside, I would have loved and been humbled to take on such a task. I don't know of any books that molded who I am today more than these books. At the moment, I am rereading for perhaps the hundredth time The Last Battle as I think we need this book more than ever these days. You did a beautiful job with the illustrations. For myself, I always go back to the original artwork, but I know that time moves on. These books are timeless.
I love the beautiful Horse and his Boy cover! One of the most memorable and thrilling moments of the series rendered with all the sand kicking up and the intervention of Aslan brought down to Earth. It is also fantastic to see Reepicheep on the cover of Voyage of Dawn Treader; it really is Reeps story and journey. The VDT cover does make the story look like an action novel, though.
For the other covers, I will always prefer the Pauline Baynes ones, but these will welcome a new generation of readers into the rich, colorful world of Narnia.
I am curious to pick up the books in a bookstore and see what is on the back cover and the flaps. I am guessing Tumnus is somewhere on the LWW back cover and Uncle Andrew or the Tree of Youth is on the MN cover and Puddleglum is somewhere on the back of the SC cover.
I am hoping for a revival of Narnia fans among people even younger than me with these new, exciting, attractive, action-packed covers, and with Gerwig's Magicians Nephew film coming at the end of next year! Further up and further in.
As a fellow visual artist, WELL DONE! I think you did them justice and that is no small feat! Bravo!
I love Pauline Baynes illustrations!
Love these! Can't wait to add them to my collection. I especially love The Horse and His Boy (that was the first one I read, so it has a special place in my heart). Reep in The Dawn Treader is fantastic!!
It’s clear from high res photos that Digory has six fingers on the MN cover.
https://open.substack.com/pub/luciferv/p/in-the-beginning-was-the-word?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=5e4lda