My thanks to Darton Longman Todd for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘From Spare Oom to War Drobe: Travels in Narnia with my nine-year-old self’ by Katherine Langrish. It was originally published in April 2021. I have since purchased its hardback edition. My apologies for the late feedback.

What a wonderful book this was. At the age of nine
Katherine Langrish had fallen deeply in love with The Chronicles of Narnia and longed to live there. She even wrote her own Narnia stories. Of course, time passed and other books took their place.

Recently she had wondered what they might they mean to her as an adult. She decided to reread the Chronicles with this in mind and the result was this book. In essence ‘From Spare Oom to War Drobe’ is a love letter to that early passion as well as a reappraisal of The Chronicles of Narnia in the light of maturity and changing tastes.

I felt that Katherine Langrish did well in providing a detailed analysis of the seven Narnia books, including Lewis’ inspirations, while conveying both a sense of her original wonder and what the books mean to her today.

She writes in a very accessible style. There are plenty of footnotes and a bibliography.

Like Katherine I was enchanted by Narnia and this led to my lifelong interest in mythology and magical worlds. I will admit that there were a few times while reading when my eyes filled with tears as I was moved by her words that served to evoke my own memories.

Overall, I found ‘From Spare Oom to War Drobe’ a joy to read and would certainly recommend it.

I loved this book. I requested it because of my childhood (and continuing) obsession with finding another world in a wardrobe. I mean, who doesn't hope for that most days.

I was raised on fantasy books for as long as I can remember. Narnia, Earthsea, Prydain, Middle Earth, all of these books were foundational to my love of reading, so I was thrilled to see a book written about someone else’s childhood with the Narnia books.

Now, I was initially expecting something more memoir like, but I wasn’t disappointed with the combination memoir, literary criticism, and somewhat a biography of Lewis himself. The biographical details are only included when referencing something specific that could tie to the stories, so don’t expect a thorough recounting of Lewis’s life.

Each section deals with a separate Narnia book, outlined in story chronological order. The chapters deal with the author’s own memories of the book, an examination of themes and allegories, while also addressing common criticisms of Lewis, including his racist depictions of the Calormenes. Every chapter seemed tailor made to address the things I had thought myself when reading these stories, but also making me aware of things I had glossed over in reading them as a child.

There were a few minor issues of footnotes occurring in the middle of paragraphs, and the split paragraphs being switched around so the end of the paragraph comes before the footnote and then the beginning of the paragraph, but I’m sure these are issues that have been corrected in the final printing.

Upon finishing this book, I am planning on purchasing a physical copy to keep beside me as I begin a reread of a series that opened the door to my own love of stories.

I really wanted to like this, as I enjoy the Narnia series, but I found it to be too dry for my taste. I was hoping it would be more of an homage in stories than the more analytical look at the magic through adult eyes.

It is well researched and well written, and those who are interested in analysis will enjoy it, however it was not for me.

~Many thanks to NetGalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review~

The blurb and premise of the book intrigued me and I think the book did live up to my expectations. Part memoir, part essay, I think Langrish did a good job at reveling in the childhood joy of the books and stories she loved, whilst also critiquing and commenting on Lewis' work in a lightly academic way. It was also interesting to see the child reader alongside the adult reader. If you want literary criticism but you don't ACTUALLY want literary criticism, this is a good way to go.

I think I was probably introduced to Narnia around the same age as the author, my oldest sister used to read them to me, and have I’ve loved visiting ever since. In fact I like to read, or rather listen to the audiobooks regularly, always starting off with The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe around this time of year, because of it’s Christmassy theme. I was intrigued when I saw this book on NetGalley and decided that I would read it alongside the audiobooks. Unfortunately this strategy didn’t work for me because I only got as far as The Voyage of the Dawn Treader(book 5 out of 7) when I’d had my fill of Narnia and to escape to some other literary lands. What did I read was really interesting, and I definitely want to finish reading it alongside the remaining audiobooks. I thoroughly recommend it for anyone with a love for all things Narnia!

The author fell in love with the Chronicles of Narnia as a young girl and even writing her own collection of short stories set in Narnia. As an adult, Katherine rereads and reappraises the books, asking the question what will they mean to her at this point in her life?

Having loved and still rereading The Chronicles o fNarnia even 20 odd years later. I was fascinated to see what Katherine thought of the series. I didn't necessarily agree with all of Langrish's opinions and ideas, but that didn't stop me from enjoying the book greatly and appreciating her work

Would recommend to anyone fans of the Narnia series.

#FromSpareOomtoWarDrobe #NetGalley

Thank you to NetGalley and DLT Books for the opportunity to read this advanced copy of From Spare Oom to War Drobe. A fascinating look into the Narnia series, perfect for anyone who has read the books, whether s/he liked them or not. Although author Katherine Langrish is a self-professed fan of the series from the age of nine, she presents a fair and thorough picture, not glossing over the more difficult aspects of Lewis' work. I found the book so engaging and interesting, it was hard to put down. I didn't necessarily agree with all of Langrish's points, opinions, and ideas, but that didn't stop me from enjoying the book greatly and appreciating her work. In the genre of "Narnia commentary/discussion" this book stands out as one of the most engaging I have read.

A fond but fair study of the Narnia series. It revisits each book from the authors understanding and love of them as a nine year old to how her opinions have changed (or not) as an adult. This was especially interesting to me as I've recently rediscovered them (for about the 50th time) as my ten year old has worked her way through the series.

The author has managed to identify some of the more problematic elements of the book without ripping them to shreds and destroying childhood memories. In fact it brought back to me my memory of vowing never to abandon or skip through books after only managing to read Prince Caspian and The Last Battle all the way through as a teenager and realising what I'd been missing....so I can fully blame C.S.Lewis for forcing myself to finish Mr Darcy, Vampyre in my thirties 🤣

This is a joyful but balanced dissertation of the series, filled with literary sources of what might have influenced Lewis. A wonderfully nostalgic and informative read.

I really love the narnia stories and the magic they bring.
This book is a great companion to the series and very well written. Not only from a fans point of view but from a child who read them and now as an adult who understands the storyline more it is a great read.

This is an excellent addition to a crowded field - I have read a lot of books about the Chronicles of Narnia but I really enjoyed Langrish's approach - a mixture of reading memoir and literary appreciation.
There is a huge weight of scholarship behind this book, as Langrish explores a wide range of sources for Lewis's work, including some not previously discussed, from E. Nesbit to Spenser and Milton, but the book wears this very lightly, and it remains a lively, engaging and accessible read throughout. Langrish's personal engagement is part of what makes the book so enjoyable - she guides us through the novel both as her original nine-year-old self reading the novels for the first time, and as an adult re-evaluating them in the light of contemporary criticisms and concerns. This personal engagement is illuminating without overshadowing Narnia itself. I also liked the way that Langrish tackled various criticisms of Narnia - she offers a spirited defence of Lewis against a number of charges but is also happy to concede some flaws within the novels.
Overall, I found Langrish's approach insightful and illuminating and it has made me eager to return to the original Narnia stories.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a free online copy of the book in exchange for this review.

As a lover of the Chronicles of Narnia since childhood, this book was right up my alley! I enjoyed the way the author wrote about her adult insights into Lewis’s works, while also relating how they affected her childhood. Any ardent fan of C.S. Lewis will want to experience this insightful book (perhaps while inside a big closet/wardrobe, with the door just slightly ajar.)😉
Thank you, Netgalley, for a digital copy of this book. All opinions are strictly my own.

I loved the way this book was written - Langrish's own childhood reading experience of Narnia blended with her now adult perspective and knowledge of the Chronicles. Whilst retaining a warm, nostalgic tone, Langrish does not shy away from its more problematic aspects such as Lewis's depiction of girls and women, which is vital in a modern literary memoir. I could not fault it - everything you would expect from this book is perfectly delivered and I feel compelled to revisit Lewis's classic series again. Fans of Lucy Mangan's Bookworm will surely love From Spare Oom to War Drobe too, which as a literary memoir is equally well written and honest.

This is an absolute must for all of those who love the tales of Narnia. The author is knowledgeable, enthusiastic and draws the reader into the world that she understands so well. It is a delight to read and makes me want to re-read the series right now.

Katherine Langrish fell in love with the Chronicles of Narnia as a young girl, even going so far as to write her own collection of short stories set in C. S. Lewis's fantasy world. Now, as an adult, she rereads and reappraises the books. What will they mean to her at this point in her life?

Based on the charming title and publisher's description, I was expecting a book along the lines of The Wilder Life or other memoirs of that nature. Instead Langrish takes us down a rabbit hole of references, connecting every Lewis character and creation to something that came before. I don't doubt that these references are accurate, but in some places it becomes list-like and dry, instead of engaging my curiosity. She also spends a great deal of time (too much in my opinion) responding to Philip Pullman's critic of the series. For me, there wasn't enough about the author's own relationship to the text or how it has developed over time. The book is scattered and did not hold my attention. All that being said, fans of Narnia who want to delve into the books' influences and how it has been received by critics might enjoy Langrish's work.

I was given the box set of the Chronicles of Narnia as a Christmas present when I was 7 or 8 and I remember at least 4 of them being read to me at bedtime. I have returned to at least 3 of these books at various times through my life but even as an adult I'd not seen the overt Christian message.
Languish's book makes me want to reread the series again (even The Horse & His Boy which I'd never managed to finish) just to see all of the influences Lewis drew on as he created Narnia.
I feel my reading experience of this series matches Langrish's and that rereading knowing what to look for will enhance my memories of the books rather than ruin my memories.

This review may contain some minor spoilers for the Narnia books (but I would recommend reading the Narnia books first anyway!).

I love the Narnia books. I read all of them at least annually through my childhood. Over the last year I have read the first (TLTW&TW the first time, to avoid the spoilers at the end of TMN!) with LittleOne (then 7) and finally finished the whole series with BigOne (around his 10th birthday).

I enjoyed From Spare Oom to War Drobe. I discovered very many references in, and inspiration to, the Narnia books which I might never have known otherwise. Katherine Langrish clearly loves the Narnia stories and this shines through the whole book. Nevertheless, she is happy to engage with criticism of the books, both accepting those arguments she agrees with, and tackling that which is unfair.

The author draws out themes through the books, and I had more than one moment of thinking “How had I never spotted that?”.

Where I differ from the author, is that while I first loved the Narnia books for the stories themselves, I think the reason they have grown with me is down to my faith and that has only increased my enjoyment of them. Still, I am pleased so many adults still like the Narnia books, and if you fall in this category, whatever your own reasons, I think you will find a lot to interest you in From Spare Oom to War Drobe.



Thank-you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

TLTW&TW= The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
TMN= The Magician’s Nephew

I enjoyed this book immensley. Revisiting my favourite childhood books as an adult was whole new experience and one I thoroughly enjoyed. To revisit the stories and then put an adult spin on the concepts within them is quite thought provoking and an interesting way to re-view books that I held in high regard as a child but still have fond memories of as an adult. this book didn't diminish my enjoyment of the books but added a new layer of interest.

I did a reread of all the Narnia books last December, and they absolutely hold up. I stayed up late on weeknights to race through them, and they were as delightful, if not more,than when I had read them as a child. It's quite a coincidence that this book is published this year, so soon after my Narnia reread! This is an excellent companion piece to Lewis' masterpieces. It's written not just as a fan, but someone with a deep interest in children's literature and CS Lewis' writing in general. That makes this not only very entertaining, but very informative and it's definitely enhanced my appreciation of the books. There are several connections, that I didn't make - for instance, the similarity between the experiences of Diggory and Polly with Jadis in London and the Babylonian queen in The Story of the amulet, that I was absolutely thrilled to read about, given my love for Edith Nesbit's books. When I read The Chronicles of Narnia as a child, it never struck me as Christian allegory at all- possibly because I haven't been raised in the faith! Even in my reread as an adult, it isn't overt religious propaganda at all. The book takes in Lewis' Christian faith and how some things that happen in the books have echoes in Christianity, but I appreciate that the author also recognises that focussing on that would be to ignore the absolutely magical world Lewis has created. She takes in the criticisms of the books as well, charges of sexism ( quite unfair, given that the women make for both the best protagonists and the best villains) and racism ( not entirely unfair, if not too egregious), and addresses them very intelligently. During my reread of Narnia last year, I was struck by how much more I appreciated The Last Battle , a book I usually avoided reading because of its sad ending. This time round, Shift and his reign of terror, and his ascension to power hit too close to him with politics playing out very similarly, and across the world where we're seeing a rise of demagogues and unchecked propaganda. The Last Battle suddenly feels like a far more perceptive book than I had ever given it credit for, and I loved that Langrish drew these parallels too. I absolutely enjoyed this book, and it's inspired me to yet another Narnia reread, since my Wardrobe clearly isn't getting me there!! ( I've tried)

A Portrait of Passion!

Katharine's fascinating From Spare Oom to War Drobe: Travels in Narnia with my nine-year-old self takes me deeper and closer to Narnia, its creation and creator.

A treasure of unimaginable knowledge, From Spare Oom to War Drobe brims with personality - Katharine's past and present self!

Katherine presents the art of storytelling both from a child's and an expert's perspective. She also explores the idea of incorporating themes in books by our favourite authors into our stories. Every aspiring author must read From Spare Oom to War Drobe.

Thank you Darton Longman Todd and Net Galley for the e-ARC.