Narnia Debuts in America
Door Jam: November 10, 2025
The Door Jam is a place to squeeze in articles about C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, their work, adaptations of their fantasy worlds, news from other franchises, and interesting articles. Unless otherwise stated, I’m not endorsing (or criticizing) any of these but merely sharing them with you.
We already recognized the 75th anniversary of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’s publication in October. Still, this month marks three-quarters of a century since the book has been available in the United States.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, the first entry into The Chronicles of Narnia, was published in the U.K. on October 16, 1950, but it didn’t make its way to the US until November 6, 1950. This past week marked 75 years of Narnia in America.
From The New York Times:
Like children then and now, countless authors also revere “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” especially those in the fantasy realm, many of whom consider Lewis’s series to be a cornerstone of the genre. The New York Times Book Review reached out to several about their first encounters with Narnia. Their responses have been edited for clarity.
From CBN:
Seventy-five years after first stepping through the wardrobe, readers are still discovering Narnia, and finding meaning, hope, and wonder inside.
To mark the occasion, Harper-Collins is cooking up a contest worthy of Mrs. Beaver.
We’re celebrating 75 years of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe with a delicious giveaway!
100 fans will win a copy of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and a Betty Crocker cake mix.
Then the fun continues with a Narnia Baking Challenge!
You can find out more on the official Chronicles of Narnia Facebook page.
Do you remember the first time you read The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe? Is there anyone who first read the book in 1950 or was first transported to Narnia with a first-edition copy?
Not Safe But Good
C.S. Lewis quote of the week
What the devil loves is that vague cloud of unspecified guilt feeling or unspecified virtue by which he lures us into despair or presumption. “Details, please!” is the answer.
July 21, 1958 letter, The Collected Letters of C.S. Lewis, Volume 3: Narnia, Cambridge, and Joy, 1950-1963
Tumnus’ bookshelf
Books by or about Lewis or Tolkien
This is a new book, published this month, that discusses the pros and cons of Lewis’ writings on the Bible. In Between Interpretation and Imagination: C. S. Lewis and the Bible, “Baynes highlights the subtle beauty of his use of Scripture in the Chronicles of Narnia, arguing that Lewis’s most glorious writing emerges when he eschews academic biblical scholarship and relies instead on his greatest strength―his literary imagination.”
Hardcover: $29.38 (25% off), ebook: $27.91
Other books:
The Problem of Pain — ebook ($1.99, 75% off), paperback ($9.99, 44% off)
Surprised by Joy: The Shape of My Early Life — ebook ($1.99, 85% off), paperback ($11.83, 30% off)
The Problem of Printers
Bad C.S. Lewis book covers
Many of these bad book covers seemingly come from someone putting what they think is the general idea of the work into an AI-image generator. Here’s one that believes The Four Loves is about a couple on a stroll through a forest during the fall.
Behind the Wardrobe
Sneak peek at the bonus articles
Below, paid subscribers will see articles on:
Emma Mackey finally shares (a tiny bit) about filming as Jadis in the Narnia movie
Narnia composer said he got a “slap on the wrist” for talking about the movie
Charlie Kirk's widow says she “tried” to read a Lewis book
Reviews of two new books on Lewis
A new play debuts about Lewis and Tolkien’s friendship
Several political reflections (from both sides of the aisle) on Tolkien’s work
One “hobbit” shares about the upcoming Gollum movie
A gamer actually does walk into Mordor
Hidden Tolkien references in classic rock
And more!
