Summary
The Magician's Nephew is a beloved children's fantasy novel by C.S. Lewis. First published in 1955, it serves as a prequel to the author's acclaimed series, The Chronicles of Narnia. Though the sixth Narnia book published, most collections now place it at the beginning of the series as its origin story.
The novel follows two children, Digory and Polly, who are tricked by Digory's eccentric Uncle Andrew into using magical rings to travel between worlds. Their adventures lead them to witness the birth of Narnia at the hands of the great lion Aslan while also encountering the evil witch Jadis, who becomes a central antagonist in the series. With its imaginative world-building and exploration of themes like temptation and creation, this classic work of children’s literature continues to captivate readers.
Plot
The Magician's Nephew opens in London in 1900, when two children, Digory and Polly, discover magical rings created by Digory's eccentric Uncle Andrew. The rings transport them to the Wood between the Worlds, a tranquil forest filled with portals to different realms. They visit the dying world of Charn and accidentally awaken an evil witch queen named Jadis. She follows them back to London and causes chaos before the children manage to transport her away.
Jadis, Digory, Polly, Uncle Andrew, a cabby named Frank, and his horse Strawberry all end up in a dark void as a new world is being created through the singing of a powerful lion named Aslan. They witness Aslan bring Narnia into existence and grant some animals the power of speech. Aslan confronts Digory about bringing evil into Narnia and tasks him with retrieving a magical apple to protect the land.
Digory and Polly fly on the now-winged Strawberry to a distant garden to retrieve the apple. There, Digory resists temptation from Jadis to steal an extra apple for himself. He returns to Narnia and plants the apple, which grows into a tree that will protect the land from Jadis for centuries. Aslan then sends Digory, Polly, and Uncle Andrew back to London, while Frank and his wife Helen remain as the first King and Queen of Narnia.
Back in London, Digory uses the apple’s magic to heal his dying mother. He then plants the core, along with Uncle Andrew's rings, in his yard, where it grows into a tree. Years later, Digory has the wood from this tree made into a wardrobe—the same magical wardrobe that appears in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. The creation of Narnia and the origin of the wardrobe are thus explained, setting up the events of the rest of the series.
Themes
Creation and the origin of Narnia
Temptation and moral choice
The dangers of unchecked power and ambition
The conflict between good and evil
The importance of loyalty and friendship
The relationship between humans and nature
Consequences of one's actions
Setting
The Magician's Nephew primarily takes place in London during the summer of 1900, at the turn of the 20th century. The novel opens in the real world of Edwardian England, specifically focusing on a row of terraced houses where the two young protagonists, Digory and Polly, live next door to each other. Much of the early action occurs in and around these homes, including the attic and study of Digory's Uncle Andrew.
From this familiar setting, the characters are transported to fantastical other worlds through the use of magic rings. The first of these is the Wood between the Worlds, a tranquil forest filled with pools that serve as portals to different realms. Through one such pool, Digory and Polly find themselves in Charn, an ancient and dying world with an abandoned city. The climax of the story takes place in Narnia, a magical land brought to life through the song of the lion Aslan.
Within Narnia, several distinct locations play important roles in the narrative. These include the garden atop a distant mountain where Digory must retrieve a magical apple, as well as the site where the first King and Queen of Narnia are crowned. The story ultimately comes full circle, returning to London, where Digory plants the core of the Narnian apple in his aunt's backyard, setting up events that will unfold years later in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
Characters
Digory Kirke: The main protagonist, a young boy who lives in London. Digory is curious and adventurous but struggles with the impending death of his mother. He travels to other worlds, helps create Narnia, and ultimately becomes the Professor in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. His experiences in Narnia shape him into a wise and kindhearted adult.
Polly Plummer: Digory's friend and neighbor who accompanies him on his adventures. Polly is level-headed and often acts as the voice of reason to Digory's impulsiveness. She plays a crucial role in the creation of Narnia and remains Digory's lifelong friend. Polly's bravery and common sense help the children navigate dangerous situations in other worlds.
Jadis: The main antagonist, also known as the White Witch. Jadis is the last queen of Charn, a world she destroyed with dark magic. Powerful and cruel, she desires to rule over all worlds she encounters. Jadis becomes the primary threat to Narnia for centuries to come, using her magic to keep the land in eternal winter.
Aslan: The creator and true king of Narnia. Aslan is a powerful, wise, and benevolent lion who sings Narnia into existence. He guides Digory and Polly, and sets the foundations for Narnia's future. Aslan represents goodness and sacrifice, and his actions echo biblical themes of creation and redemption.
Uncle Andrew: Digory's eccentric and morally dubious uncle who dabbles in magic. He creates the rings that allow travel between worlds, driven by selfish ambition rather than a desire for knowledge. Uncle Andrew's cowardice and self-delusion provide both comic relief and a cautionary tale about the misuse of power.
Queen Helen: A kindhearted woman from London who becomes the first Queen of Narnia. She adapts quickly to her new role and helps establish a just reign alongside King Frank.
King Frank: A London cabbie who becomes the first King of Narnia. His simple wisdom and good nature make him an ideal ruler for the newly created world.
Quick facts
The Magician's Nephew was the sixth book published in The Chronicles of Narnia but is considered the first book in the series chronologically.
C S. Lewis began writing The Magician's Nephew shortly after completing The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, but took more than five years to finish it.
The novel explains the origins of several elements from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, including the lamppost, the wardrobe, and the White Witch.
Lewis originally titled the book “Polly and Digory” before his publisher changed it to The Magician's Nephew.
An early abandoned draft called “The Lefay Fragment” featured different plot elements, including Digory having magical abilities.
The character of Digory Kirke is based on Lewis himself as a child, including details like wanting a pony and facing the death of his mother.
Lewis dedicated the book to “the Kilmer family”—a group of his American fans who had visited him in England.
The creation of Narnia by Aslan was likely influenced by J.R.R. Tolkien's creation story in The Silmarillion.
The novel contains several references to Edith Nesbit's children's books, which Lewis enjoyed as a child.
About the Author
C.S. Lewis (1898-1963) was one of the most imaginative authors and influential Christian scholars of the 20th century. He is best known for The Chronicles of Narnia, a beloved children's fantasy series with strong Christian themes. The seven Narnia books have sold more than 100 million copies worldwide and been adapted into major films. Lewis also wrote nonfiction works dedicated to exploring spiritual questions and making theological concepts accessible, including Mere Christianity, The Screwtape Letters, and The Problem of Pain. His science fiction Space Trilogy and allegorical novel The Great Divorce further showcase his creative storytelling abilities.
Born in Belfast, Lewis became a renowned academic at Oxford and Cambridge, specializing in medieval literature. In addition to his prolific writing career, he was a member of the informal literary group known as the Inklings, which included his close friend J.R.R. Tolkien. Their discussions and mutual encouragement played a key role in the creation of Lewis's Narnia series and Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Lewis's own spiritual journey from atheism to Christianity in his early 30s deeply informed his later writings and apologetics work defending and explaining the Christian faith.
C.S. Lewis's legacy as both a creative storyteller and Christian thinker continues to grow. His works remain widely read and studied, with Lewis societies founded around the world to discuss his ideas. In 2013, he was honored with a memorial in Poets' Corner of Westminster Abbey, cementing his place as one of Britain's most beloved writers.
