Summary
"The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," the first book in C.S. Lewis's beloved "Chronicles of Narnia" series, transports readers to a magical world through the most unexpected portal: a wardrobe. During World War II, the Pevensie children—Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy—are evacuated from London to the countryside to stay with the eccentric Professor Kirke. While exploring the Professor's sprawling mansion, young Lucy stumbles upon a large wardrobe and, upon entering it, finds herself in a snow-covered forest. This is Narnia, a land gripped by eternal winter under the rule of the cruel White Witch, Jadis.
Lucy's initial visit to Narnia introduces her to Mr. Tumnus, a kind faun who reveals the land's plight under the Witch's oppressive reign. He explains how Jadis has plunged Narnia into a perpetual winter, thwarting any hope of spring or Christmas. Though he is initially tasked with capturing Lucy, Mr. Tumnus is unable to bring himself to betray her and helps her return to her own world. Upon Lucy's return, she excitedly shares her adventure with her siblings, but they dismiss her story as mere fantasy.
However, Edmund later follows Lucy into the wardrobe and also finds his way to Narnia. Unlike Lucy, Edmund's first encounter is with the White Witch herself. She entices him with promises of power and Turkish Delight, a confection he cannot resist, manipulating him into agreeing to bring his siblings to her. When Edmund returns, he lies about his experiences, further sowing doubt about Narnia and Lucy's honesty. But after all the Pevensie children enter Narnia together, they discover the truth and the scope of the Witch's evil.
As the children journey through Narnia, guided by Mr. and Mrs. Beaver, they learn about the prophecy surrounding their arrival: that when two Sons of Adam and two Daughters of Eve sit upon the thrones at Cair Paravel, the Witch's reign will end. They also discover that Aslan, the Great Lion and rightful ruler of Narnia, has returned, signaling hope for the land's liberation. Peter, Susan, and Lucy are filled with hope and determination, but Edmund's earlier allegiance to the Witch places them all in grave danger.
The story culminates in a battle between Aslan's forces and the White Witch's army. Edmund, realizing the error of his ways, eventually defects from the Witch's side and fights alongside his siblings, but is wounded in the process. To save Edmund's life, Aslan makes a profound sacrifice, offering himself to the Witch in Edmund's place. Aslan is killed on the Stone Table, but through a deeper magic unknown to the Witch, he is resurrected, and returns to defeat her, ending the eternal winter and restoring spring to Narnia.
With the Witch defeated, Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy are crowned as Kings and Queens of Narnia, ushering in an era of peace and prosperity. They rule wisely and justly for many years, becoming beloved figures in Narnian history. One day, while pursuing a White Stag, they stumble upon a familiar landmark, a lamppost, that leads them back through the wardrobe and into their own world. They find themselves children again, with no time having passed since their departure. The Pevensies return with a profound understanding of courage, sacrifice, and the eternal struggle between good and evil, forever changed by their time in the magical world of Narnia.