2026 Narnia Madness: Magnificent Eight
What is the greatest Narnia quote? Vote now!
It’s March, so there’s only one way to determine the greatest Narnia quote. ’Tis the season for brackets.
The first round, Valiant Sixteen, is finished. It’s on to the Magnificent Eight. But first, let’s make you a winner.
How You Can Win Narnia Madness
Besides determining the winning Narnia quote, I also want you to win during the 2026 Narnia Madness.
To enter, answer these two questions:
What Narnia book did you read first?
What real person was the character of Lucy likely named after?
Either comment below or email your answer to WardrobeDoor@gmail.com. Every correct answer for either question submitted before March 18 counts for one entry apiece. For one question, there’s obviously no wrong answer.
Everyone, including those who submitted guesses last week or those who won last year, can participate. Drop a comment or email me at WardrobeDoor@gmail.com with your answers for this week’s questions.
You can also get two bonus entries by liking this post and sharing it. If you share it on a social channel outside of Substack, just let me know.
I’ll announce the contest winners on April 1, the same day the tournament winner is revealed.
Narnia Madness Prizes
One grand prize winner will win their choice of one of four Narnia companion books and a free one-year paid subscription to The Wardrobe Door.
Three first runner-ups will receive a Narnia companion book and receive a free one-month paid subscription to The Wardrobe Door.
Six second runner-ups will win a free one-month paid subscription to The Wardrobe Door.
The four book options are among my most frequently used resources in developing the Narnia read-alongs:
Companion to Narnia: A Complete Guide to the Magical World of C.S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia — Paul Ford
Into the Wardrobe: C.S. Lewis and the Narnia Chronicles — David C. Downing
Planet Narnia: The Seven Heavens in the Imagination of C.S. Lewis — Michael Ward
Past Watchful Dragons: The Origin, Interpretation, and Appreciation of the Chronicles of Narnia — Walter Hooper
Now, let’s get to the winning quotes from last week and voting for those that will move on to the Just Four.
The matchups last week were frequently blowouts, but I think this week is shaping up for some close votes.
Human Region on Earth
Neither opening round game was close. Both Lucy’s quote from The Last Battle and Edmund’s from The Horse and His Boy pulled away for easy wins.
Lucy topped Jill’s Last Battle quote (74-26), while Edmund knocked off Professor Kirke’s line from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (79-21). Now the Pevensie siblings face each other.
Lucy: The Last Battle
“In our world too, a Stable once had something inside it that was bigger than our whole world.”
vs.
Edmund: The Horse and His Boy
“But even a traitor may mend. I have known one that did.”
Aslan Region in Aslan’s Country
Our first minor upset of the tournament happened in the Aslan Region. While the top seed won easily, the second-ranked quote fell.
Aslan’s line from The Voyage of the Dawn Treader won 70-30 over his wisdom from The Magician’s Nephew. No. 2 seed quote from Prince Caspian lost handily to Aslan’s reveal from The Horse and His Boy (76-24). Which will move on?
Aslan: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
“But there I have another name. You must learn to know me by that name. This was the very reason why you were brought to Narnia, that by knowing me here for a little, you may know me better there.”
vs.
Aslan: The Horse and His Boy
“I was the lion who forced you to join with Aravis. I was the cat who comforted you among the houses of the dead. I was the lion who drove the jackals from you while you slept. I was the lion who gave the Horses the new strength of fear for the last mile so that you should reach King Lune in time. And I was the lion you do not remember who pushed the boat in which you lay, a child near death, so that it came to shore where a man sat, wakeful at midnight, to receive you.”
Narrator Region in The Wood Between the Worlds
This comes down to an iconic book opening versus the closing lines of the iconic series. The no. 1 seed from The Voyage of the Dawn Treader pulled away from a line from The Silver Chair (66-34).
In the other face off, the third seed from The Last Battle quickly took care of The Magician’s Nephew (76-24). Who will win this week?
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
There was a boy called Eustace Clarence Scrubb, and he almost deserved it.
vs.
The Last Battle
All their life in this world and all their adventures in Narnia had only been the cover and the title page: now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story, which no one on earth has read: which goes on forever: in which every chapter is better than the one before.
Narnian Region in Narnia
No. 1 seed Mr. Beaver from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe rolled in the largest win of the first round, beating Trufflehunter from Prince Caspian (83-17).
Meanwhile, Puddleglum from The Silver Chair easily bested Reepicheep from The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (75-25). The valiant mouse can sail off to Aslan’s Country now. Whose journey will continue this week, and whose will end?
Mr. Beaver: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
“Safe?” said Mr. Beaver; “don’t you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”
Puddleglum: The Silver Chair
“I’m on Aslan’s side even if there isn’t any Aslan to lead it. I’m going to live as like a Narnian as I can even if there isn’t any Narnia.”
Voting in this round ends by March 14, so vote now for your favorites!
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. My brother borrowed the book from school. I was feeling ill that day, so picked up the book when he was outside playing with friends. Read all evening to finish the book!
Lucy Barfield
My first was Wardrobe, like many others I suspect. And Lucy was Lucy Barfield, Lewis' goddaughter.
I have one of your quotes posted in my house: “I’m on Aslan’s side even if there isn’t any Aslan to lead it. I’m going to live as like a Narnian as I can even if there isn’t any Narnia.” I want Puddleglum's faith.