The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is a high fantasy novel for children by C. S. Lewis, published by Geoffrey Bles in 1950. It was the first published of seven novels in The Chronicles of Narnia (1950–1956) and the best known; among all the author’s books it is the most widely held in libraries. Lewis wrote the book for, and dedicated it to, his goddaughter Lucy Barfield. She was the daughter of Owen Barfield, Lewis’ friend, teacher, adviser, and trustee.

TIME magazine included the novel in its “All-TIME 100 Novels” (best English-language novels from 1923 to 2005). In 2003, the novel was listed at number 9 on the BBC’s survey ‘The Big Read’. It has also been published in 47 foreign languages and made into a film titled ‘The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’.

The story takes place during the Blitz (a period of intense bombing of London and other cities during World War II) and is about four children who are sent to a professor’s country home for protection. There they find a magic wardrobe that leads to a mystical land called Narnia. Covered in snow, Narnia is full of weird and wonderful creatures, but is watched over by the evil White Witch. To defeat the witch, they must join forces with the mighty lion Aslan.

This book is an all-time classic. My childhood memories reading it are still vivid. I remember being engrossed by its captivating story and desperately wanting to be a daughter of Eve myself. I was transported back to that time and hopelessly searched for a door in my wardrobe, which would lead me also, to the magical land of Narnia. It rates as one of my all-time favourite books. I highly recommend it to anyone, as a must, to read. 

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