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    The Horse and His Boy
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    The Horse and His Boy
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    The Horse and His Boy
    Audiobook (abridged)2 hours

    The Horse and His Boy

    Written by C. S. Lewis

    Narrated by Sir Michael Hordern

    4/5

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    About this audiobook

    The third in the series of the classic fantasy tales – The Chronicles of Narnia. Read by the unforgettable Sir Michael Hordern.

    “Where I come from, nearly all the animals talk,” said the Horse. “The happy land of Narnia.” His whinny sounded very like a sigh.

    In The Horse and His Boy, Shasta, a boy on the verge of being sold into slavery, meets Bree, a talking horse who has been kidnapped from Narnia and longs to return there. Together they decide to run away in search of his beloved home. They flee on a wild and dangerous journey through strange cities, eerie tombs and harsh deserts – in search of Narnia, where there is freedom and safety.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHarperCollins
    Release dateSep 5, 2005
    ISBN9780007222735
    Author

    C. S. Lewis

    Clive Staples Lewis (1898-1963) was one of the intellectual giants of the twentieth century and arguably one of the most influential writers of his day. He was a Fellow and Tutor in English Literature at Oxford University until 1954, when he was unanimously elected to the Chair of Medieval and Renaissance Literature at Cambridge University, a position he held until his retirement. He wrote more than thirty books, allowing him to reach a vast audience, and his works continue to attract thousands of new readers every year. His most distinguished and popular accomplishments include Out of the Silent Planet, The Great Divorce, The Screwtape Letters, and the universally acknowledged classics The Chronicles of Narnia. To date, the Narnia books have sold over 100 million copies and have been transformed into three major motion pictures. Clive Staples Lewis (1898-1963) fue uno de los intelectuales más importantes del siglo veinte y podría decirse que fue el escritor cristiano más influyente de su tiempo. Fue profesor particular de literatura inglesa y miembro de la junta de gobierno en la Universidad Oxford hasta 1954, cuando fue nombrado profesor de literatura medieval y renacentista en la Universidad Cambridge, cargo que desempeñó hasta que se jubiló. Sus contribuciones a la crítica literaria, literatura infantil, literatura fantástica y teología popular le trajeron fama y aclamación a nivel internacional. C. S. Lewis escribió más de treinta libros, lo cual le permitió alcanzar una enorme audiencia, y sus obras aún atraen a miles de nuevos lectores cada año. Sus más distinguidas y populares obras incluyen Las Crónicas de Narnia, Los Cuatro Amores, Cartas del Diablo a Su Sobrino y Mero Cristianismo.

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    Reviews for The Horse and His Boy

    4/5

    134 ratings72 reviews

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    • 4/5
      Having read the Narnia-books before, when I was very young, I've been re-reading them in published order. This is the fifth of the seven books. Save for the Lion The Witch and the Wardrobe, this is my favourite books of the chronicles so far. It reads like a fairy-tale, and I found myself mentally reading it out loud to myself rather than just reading it. Sure, it is a little childish at times, but I still found this book to be very enjoyable, even at 23.
    • 5/5
      A great story for the young and old, Lewis is an artist with words and you should not miss out on any of this wonderful series, in the simplest terms this is a good book and you should read it.
    • 5/5
      The entire series is a masterpiece. This particular work had an air of middle eastern or persian history to it, which set it apart from the rest. A great story.
    • 3/5
      A nice children's story. Not the best of the series
    • 4/5
      The Horse and His Boy is an interesting book in the Narnia sequence. While it was written later, it falls chronologically during the last portion of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. I guess you could say it's "in between" Lion and Prince Caspian but that's not entirely true as it is set after the climactic conclusion of Lion but before the Pevensie children return to England. The Pevensie's are ruling as kings and queens in Narnia and we have not yet transitioned to their next adventure.In The Horse and His Boy, we find ourselves in a strange land that exists far to the South of Narnia. This is a land without magic and without many of the freedoms and happiness that exists in Narnia. The story initially finds us alongside a young boy named Shasta who is living essentially as a slave to his "father" (a man who found Shasta under mysterious circumstances). Shasta learns that his father is going to sell him as a slave to another man who is even more cruel than Shasta's father. Shasta at this team meets a talking horse. He didn't knew such things existed and is fascinated. The horse, named Bree, tells Shasta about Narnia and together they run away to find freedom and happiness in Narnia. Along the way they meet a girl, Aravis, who is also riding a talking horse, Hwin, and is also running away to Narnia (in her case, she's a noble girl trying to escape a hateful arranged marriage). Naturally as the four progress northward in search of Narnia they encounter many troubles and adventures. They bicker and quarrel. They make foolish mistakes. They uncover dastardly plots. They grow to love and appreciate each others' company.Nearly all of the book takes place outside of Narnia and as such it doesn't have hardly any of the magical and fanciful adventures that come from the other stories. As such, I had a harder time comparing it directly to the Narnia books I've read so far. If I was to compare it directly to an adventure tale set in Narnia, I'd have it a little lower on the scale than some of the other Narnia books.However, in terms of a fun adventure story with a compelling world, it receives high marks. The various towns and kingdoms have stark political and social elements that act as commentaries on human behavior and interaction. The landscapes and cityscapes are described in vivid and lovely ways that make them really enjoyable. The characters are interesting and fun though sometimes they get a little repetitive and flat as they complain or discuss the same things over and over again.When we were given the magical Narnian elements, the story took on a slightly different tone. As you would expect, we interact a few times with Aslan the great Lion of Narnia. I loved the way he progresses the plot and moves things along while still trying to stay on the outskirts. The religious overtones were certainly still present as is expected from Lewis. I especially loved the comments from Aslan when he was talking with the characters and they asked about another character, to which his reaction was: I'm telling you your story, not [that other person's] story. It was kind of a gentle way of saying "mind your own business" but in a different way…more than saying "mind your own business", he was telling them they should be more concerned with things pertaining to their tasks and quests than what somebody else might have to do. I always love the subtle nuggets that Aslan provides.Overall I found this an enjoyable read and a fun addition to the Narnia series even though it felt somewhat un-Narnian to me. It doesn't necessarily progress the overall Narnia plot per se but it does provide a different outside perspective on Narnia and Aslan and the universe that Narnia is a part of.****3.5 out of 5 stars
    • 3/5
      The characters in this one seemed almost cartoonish. Seemed more of a fable or fairy tale than a fantasy novel.
      I did like how everything tied together and everything had a purpose at the end although Aslan's holier than thou schtick gets tiring.

      I enjoyed it because it was part of the series but if this was the only book in the series that I read or would read then the scoring might be even lower.
    • 5/5
      "An orphaned boy and a kidnapped horse gallop for Narnia ... and freedom." So goes the blurb on the back cover of this, the third chronicle of the mythic kingdom of Narnia. In case you haven't been following my reviews, I thought the first two chronicles were great. Mr. Lewis had clothed great Christian truths in rich, colorful fantasy and wove a tale that struck a chord deep within my heart. This third book does the same, but with a different twist. The tale takes place outside of the kingdom of Narnia and we meet characters who for various reasons set out for that fabled kingdom of the North. The Christian truths embroidered here focus more on the individual, how they seek out the kingdom of Heaven, sometimes in complete ignorance, and how the King finds them. Overall, I found the book slightly less delightful then The Magician's Nephew and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe--I thought the Tashbaan culture was dissed a bit too much in comparison to that of the Northern countries--but it's still a worthy tale to keep on my shelf.--J.
    • 3/5
      When I started re-reading the Narnia books it was pretty fun at first, but as they go they just get duller and duller. This isn't a bad book, but if it's a classic, then it's only by association with Lewis' better stuff. At least it's short.
    • 4/5
      A good story despite some latent racism. That's a good argument for continuing to read aloud to/with your children even after they can read chapter books on their own.
    • 4/5
      Of all the Narnia books, this one takes place almost entirely without Earthly interaction. This is the story of Bree the Horse and Shasta, the slave boy. The book has an Aladinesque feel to it. Lewis never fails to deliver a fun tale for the young readers while managing to inject moral elements as well.
    • 4/5
      I tried reading the Horse and His Boy as a child and got lost fairly quickly in all of the eastern imagery, and so it was about time that I got back to it and finished it. There are some wonderful moments in this book: I particularly love the way that Aslan keeps on popping in and out of the storyline, looking after the young boy, Shasta, but without Shasta realising that he's been there helping him all along. At one point he wants the lion, Aslan, to leave him alone, only to find that Aslan actually wants to help him and has carried him on his journey up until that point. Shasta's character begins to morph into a wiser creature, now rooted in the mercy and kindness of Aslan. Having faith, myself, the meaning of these scenes is not lost on me. How often have I wondered whether God has been with me in a situation, but in hindsight it has been so abundantly clear that he has been there the whole time. Few stories are as enriching as this – this is not a children's novel; this is a novel for all ages.
    • 5/5
      Most of this story takes place not in Narnia, but in the country of the dreaded Calormenes. It is about a boy and his horse, or a horse and his boy. Who would have guessed? The relationship between them is a treat to read. The roles of servants and masters, pride and humility. A girl and her horse, or visa-versa, are also added. How these four will manage to get along and survive makes very compelling reading.
    • 4/5
      One of the more exciting installments in this series, it didn't make me as sleepy to read this one.
    • 5/5
      Loved this series as a kid.
    • 4/5
      Number two (or three) in the Narnia-series - about a young slave boy, Shasta, who escapes from his homeland with the Narnian talking horse Bree - under way they meet Aravis and her horse Whin (Aravis runs from an arranged marriage) - and when they discover that the Calormen people are about to attack Narnia they race to warn the narnians. The setting here is a lot like the medieval faerie romance and with inspiration from Arabian Nights - a very exciting fast-paced adventure. Just wonderful. Again - I love the way Aslan turns up from time to time to guide and comfort:“Child,’ said the Lion, ‘I am telling you your story, not hers. No one is told any story but their own.” Audiobook narrated by Alex Jennings.
    • 5/5
      I love all of the Chronicles, but if I had to pick just one to read for the rest of my life (what an awful decision to be forced upon a person!), this would probably be it. There is something very epic about this book, in the best and most traditional sense of the word, and yet it is also warm and intimate in tone, as befits a story for children. In my opinion, it may very well be the greatest adventure story ever written. And even though only a small portion of it is set in the actual lend—or, perhaps, because of it—I feel that this book captures the beauty and mystique perhaps even better than the others in the series.This is the story of a rag-tag group setting out from the hot, southerly country of Calormen to find the land of Narnia. First, there is Shasta, a boy of unknown parentage who has for many years been the slave of the fisherman Arsheesh. He meets a talking horse named Bree, who hails from Narnia itself, and is trying to run away from his cruel master. They set off together, and soon their paths cross with Aravis, a runaway tarkheena avoiding marriage to the noble but despicable Ahoshta, and her Narnian mare, the loyal, timid, sensible Hwin. Together they must find their way through the great Calormene city of Tashbaan, across the dangerous desert, and through the mountains of Archenland in order to reach their destination. Various other tensions inform the story: Is Shasta of Northern blood? Can Aravis pass unrecognized through Calormen? What of the current political impasse between that country and Narnia? And do talking horses roll?As well as being my favorite, I think this may be the most misunderstood of the Chronicles. Yes, I am referring to the charges of racism that have been leveled at Lewis. There seems to be an assumption that because the Calormenes are dark-skinned and, to put it tartly, “the bad guys,” Lewis must by necessity be making some comment on the nature of dark-skinned people in general. I think this is yet another result of the mistaken notion that the Narnia books are allegories—that is, that everything in them corresponds, either literally or symbolically, to something in our world. This simply is not the case. Moreover, Lewis’ portrait of the Calormenes in this book is not wholly negative. Aravis is an amiable and sympathetic character, and not just because she rebels against Calormene culture and runs off to Narnia; even her friend Lasaraleen, though silly, is far from evil. Lewis isn’t saying that the Calormene people are evil, but that their political system and culture may be, and that their political system certainly is. That’s not PC either, but there you have it. And there are certain aspects of Calormene culture that Lewis does seem to love; you can just hear the affection in his writing as he talks about their storytelling abilities, or as he describes the architecture of Tashbaan. This is not really surprising, considering his love for The Arabian Nights, which undoubtedly inspired this tale.But of course Calormen, however complex and affectionate its portrayal can never compare to Narnia. There is something deep inside the characters that calls them hence, the cause them to call with glee “To Narnia and the North!” as they set out on each leg of their journey. It is this feeling of deep-seated longing that really makes this book for me, along with the idea that things do not happen by chance. Just wait until you read the chapter about “The Unwelcome Fellow Traveler”!If you have not read this book, along with all the other Chronicles of Narnia, you’re really missing out. To Narnia and the North!
    • 5/5
      I'm attempting to read all seven of the Chronicles of Narnia. This third book in the series was a re-read for me, but I didn't remember the story well. However, this time around, I loved the story of a talking horse from Narnia, who finds himself in a foreign land. Together with a boy from a fishing village, he attempts to get back to Narnia. Another well-told story from a master.
    • 3/5
      The book has lots of enjoyable moments. The characters and interactions of the two horses are fun. The punishment of Radagast is kind of useful, although I expect that he would have been assassinated by his subjects or his father fairly shortly, having been rendered so powerless by Aslan's magic.As usual Aslan should be doing either a whole lot more, since he can do more, or a whole lot less, if he can't. Either way, he's creepy and annoying, just like C. S. Lewis's Anglican god, of which he is an allegory.The main characters, although not English children, occasionally use English slang, while the characters who were English children seem to have forgotten it.
    • 5/5
      Not my favorite Narnia book, but still important to the series. This book allows you to understand how the rest of the world outside of Narnia lives. For that reason alone, I will love it forever. Great as an audiobook or just to read.
    • 4/5
      My favorite Narnia book
    • 4/5
      An unexpected twist in the Narnia Chronicles. I knew absolutely nothing about the chronicles when I first started reading them, and I like the idea of noble horses. It puts things in perspective.
    • 3/5
      Feels oddly out of place because there's no mention of the real world.
    • 5/5
      A fantastic and truly glorious story. Enjoyed every bit of it
    • 4/5
      Third book in the series. I love this classic tale of adventure and friendship. Useful for map reading and applying fantasy!
    • 5/5
      My favorite of the Narnia series, partly because it is set entirely within the Narnian world, which it expands substantially with Calormene, and partly because the issues it touches on --the contrast of true kingship and tyranny, for example-- matter to me.
    • 4/5
      I recently read The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and in my review complained about the heavy handed Christian Allegory, but did admit it to be well-written and imaginative with some striking imagery. Two of my friends insisted though that (The Last Battle aside) the rest of the Narnia books aren't preachy and worth the read. Having read The Horse and His Boy I see they're correct--at least so far. Barely a faint whiff of Christian allegory except in two brief scenes with Aslan, and I think if I weren't sniffing for it, I wouldn't have scented it--and this time Aslan struck me more the wise and valiant lion rather than smug and self-righteous the way he did in the prior book.I was quite taken with the talking horses--Bree and Hwin. They made me wonder if Narnia is where Mercedes Lackey got the idea of the Valdemar companions in her books, and there were bits in The Horse and His Boy that certainly reminded me of it--even down to Narnia's traditional enemy reminiscent of a land from Tales of the Arabian Nights. And Avaris is a girl certainly fully as brave and clever as the boy Shasta--in terms of strong female characters Lewis is if anything better than what I find in the usual fantasy and I wouldn't hesitate to give this charming tale to a young girl.They style is still more "children's story" than one I can read unselfconsciously as an adult, but I was charmed enough I do intend to continue on to Prince Caspian (which actually was written second after The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe I've read.)
    • 4/5
      The Horse and His Boy is an amazing story! I havent READ the ones before this book but i have recently seen the movie and LOVED it! but reading the book is even better than watching the movie. i highly recemened this book.
    • 3/5
      Out of the all the books in the Chronicles of Narnia series I have read so far, this was my least favorite. I kept getting confused by the various characters' names and had a tough time staying interested in this story. It wasn't a terrible book, but it also wasn't great. It just wasn't as compelling as some of the other books in the series.
    • 4/5
      A look at Narnia from a slightly different viewpoint, that of Shasta, who has been raised among the Calormen.
    • 4/5
      Within the timeline of the series, this book would occur during The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe between the end of the battle and the Pevensies return back through the wardrobe. Although Susan, Edmund, and Lucy all make brief appearances in this book, the story is really about Shasta and the Talking Horse he meets by chance and their adventures as they travel to Narnia.An enjoyable read, I appreciated how well and subtly Lewis includes the religious element of the story. The narrative is well-paced and there were many passages that made me smile with their subtle humour. The only complaint I have is the sexism that rears its head every once in a while.