The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis
Published by HarperCollins
Publication Date September 1, 2006
Source: Gift
Genres: Fantasy
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Lucy and Edmund, with their dreadful cousin Eustace, get magically pulled into a painting of a ship at sea. That ship is the Dawn Treader, and on board is Caspian, King of Narnia. He and his companions, including Reepicheep, the valiant warrior mouse, are searching for seven lost lords of Narnia, and their voyage will take them to the edge of the world. Their adventures include being captured by slave traders, a much-too-close encounter with a dragon, and visits to many enchanted islands, including the place where dreams come true.
I was so depressed after finishing Prince Caspian, learning that Peter and Susan were too old to return to Narnia, thinking these books would never be the same. Well I was wrong.
Edmund and Lucy seem more mature, perhaps because their elder siblings are out of the picture, and their cousin Eustace, pompously adds humor that had me giggling. In general, they were all better developed. These three children reenter Narnia and hook-up with King Caspian on the quest to find the seven lords who were banished by his uncle Miraz.
While the characters were well-developed I felt the story to be rather disjointed. For me personally, the Dawn Treader jumped from the different destinations a little too quickly and just when I was getting acquainted with the Dufflepuds it was time to board ship. I did enjoy the fantasy this book provided and loved the chapters in which Eustace became a dragon, putting the pompous child in his place. I found the reaction to Eustace’s greed to be perfect, as that trait is just as desirable as being/meeting a dragon.
Like Prince Caspian, I was sadden to learn that Lucy and Edmund were too old to return to Narnia. I mean seriously, do people age in dog years in Narnia? Anyway, even though the ending was bittersweet, I think I will enjoy the journey with Eustace and any other companion just as much as I did with the Pevensie children.
I think this is my favourite book in the series because of all the different places that they visit, and because there's no great Narnia-threatening peril; it's peace time and they set off on an adventure because they can. Love it.
Yes, this book has a very different vibe than it's predecessors. Its like going from George W. to Barack Obama — wonderful!
I loved this one too 🙂 The Dufflepuds were clearly the greatest! I was also a little annoyed by all of the "oh, sorry, now you're too old for Narnia-fun" and I don't get why Eustace is allowed to come back. He's not that much younger, is he?
I could be wrong but I thought Eustace was older than Lucy. In any event, the age difference is marginal. I also agree, Dufflepuds are the greatest!
Really must read this one. (Too old for Narnia?? There must be a way to jump the fence.)