Welcome to the forum, Sirsirensong! 😊 

1. Name (please avoid your real full name):

Elwin of the Lion’s Mane—Elwin’s name, of Ransom Trilogy’s fame ;). Devoted in spirit and truth to the Mane of the great Lion! 

2. King or Queen of Narnia (guy or girl):

Humble King of Narnia, a subject of the Lion’s Mane! 

3. Family (single/married/kids):

Single in God’s present providence, but if He will’s, one day married with family 🙏🏽.

4. Occupation: 

Grocery retail manager, for now lol. 

5. How you learned about NarniaWeb:

Browsing the internet! I’ve used its resources to learn about Narnia in the past. 

6. How old were you when you first read the Chronicles:

Actually 25! Less than a year ago. I was introduced to Lewis by his apologetics and his autobiography in high school, and only really read his fiction after college, Ransom Trilogy first and then the Chronicles. 

7. How many times have you read the Chronicles:

Once through. I’m on my second go-round now, by audiobook in chronological sequence this time. 

8. Favorite of the Chronicles:

The Magician’s Nephew hands down. 

9. Hobbies and/or interesting things about you:

Theology (I’m confessionally Presbyterian), music, film & TV, basketball, YouTube, reading, bowling, and spending time with friends and family! 

A big, hearty welcome to NarniaWeb, @Elwin-of-the-Lions-Mane! It's always great to hear of people first learning about Lewis and his many writings—including the treasured Chronicles, of course—as an adult. I'm curious: would you mind sharing your reasons that The Magician's Nephew is your favourite? Such a wonderful book, indeed. We hope you stay around here on the forum for a good, long time.  

@jo Thanks for the hearty welcome! The Magician’s Nephew tops the saga in my eyes for several reasons.

• It fills out the logic of Narnia’s “magic system” really satisfactorily (the multiverse beyond the worlds, transport between them by the Wood, the origin of various figures of power/symbol: Royal humanity in Narnia through Frank and Helen, Talking Beasts, the Witch, the wardrobe, the lamppost, the Kirke estate).

• The images and landscapes are arguably most vivid (e.g. the desolate silence of Charn, the stage of the Creation Song, the Wood Between the Worlds, Aslan’s tearful acquaintance with grief, the Golden bathe of Goodness by which Digory remembers courage). 

• Digory’s heart-felt obedience and Aslan’s full pleasure made me swell with joy, for lack of less sappy words lol.  “WELL DONE Son of Adam!” was a great catharsis—Digory persevered when it mattered the most.

• Tying in the logic of the magic, I thought the nature of the healing apple across the boundary of worlds was really convincing. It made perfect sense that it wouldn’t grant immortality in a world bereft of Narnia’s young enchantment. But it would yet remedy an immediate, natural rest, then a holistic recovery, and even that not instantly, but surely over time. Digory’s sorrow and then joy to see his mother well, was simply moving.