Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Start your free trial
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
The Magician's Nephew summary
Brief summary
The Magician's Nephew is a fantasy novel by C. S. Lewis. It tells the story of two children who stumble upon magical rings that transport them to other worlds, including the creation of Narnia itself.
Table of Contents
The Magician's Nephew
Summary of key ideas
The Discovery of Magic Rings
In The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis, we are introduced to a quiet London neighborhood where Digory Kirke and Polly Plummer become friends. Digory's eccentric uncle Andrew tricks Polly into getting lost in another world using a magic ring, and, forced to follow the same fate to rescue her, Digory finds himself on an adventure beyond imagination. These magic rings become the gateway for Digory and Polly into the Wood between the Worlds, a serene, pond-filled forest that connects various realms.
In their journey, they first arrive at Charn, a barren, lifeless world on the brink of destruction. This was a once thriving kingdom, but a brutal civil war led to its demise. Jadis, Charn's ex-queen, is the only one left. Deceived by her charisma, Digory, against Polly's advice, rings the bell that wakes Jadis from her centuries-long sleep. The world of Charn is destroyed instantly, but Jadis travels back with the children to London, bringing chaos along with her.
The Arrival of Evil in London
In London, Jadis's strength and power create commotion and confusion. She deploys her magical prowess to terrorize its inhabitants, including Uncle Andrew, whose suppressed guilt now confronts him. However, she soon realizes that Earth's magic isn't as potent as Charn's. As Jadis searches for the source of this difference, Digory and Polly see an opportunity to amend their mistakes.
Using the magic rings, they succeed in transporting Jadis, along with Uncle Andrew and a cab-driver and his horse, from bustling London and into the tranquil Wood between the Worlds. Digory and Polly decide to explore another world, hoping it will be a place where they can leave Jadis. As they jump through another pond, they find themselves in complete darkness, the canvas for a new creation.
The Dawn of Narnia
In the vast, formless void of this new world, they hear a mystic song. From the darkness, a lion emerges, his voice resounding through the emptiness. This is Aslan, the great lion and the embodiment of good and creativity. Aslan's beautiful song starts painting brushstrokes of creation, bringing light, landscapes, and creatures to life. Witnessing the dawn of Narnia, everyone watches in awe, except Jadis and Uncle Andrew, who fear the presence of a power beyond their understanding.
As Aslan completes his song, the newly born Narnia shines under the sun, vibrant and full of life. But the peace is short-lived. Struck by fear, Jadis attacks Aslan, launching a piece of iron bar at him. Her attack is futile, but the iron bar planted in the land starts to grow into an iron lamp-post, marking the beginning of evil in Narnia.
The Redemption of Digory
In the newborn Narnia, Aslan assigns Digory a task to redeem his mistakes that allowed evil to enter the world. Digory and Polly travel to the Western Wild, a land to the west of Narnia, to retrieve a magical silver apple from a tree. On their return, Aslan instructs Digory to plant the apple in the ground. As it sprouts and grows, it forms a protection for Narnia against Jadis.
The apple also holds a magical healing property, which Digory uses to cure his mother back in London. After the trio says their goodbyes to Aslan and Narnia, they return to their world. The magic rings are buried safely, the home-grown tree from the magic apple is cherished, and its wood, many years later, becomes the wardrobe, serving as the portal for future adventures in Narnia.
How do we create content on this page?
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is The Magician's Nephew about?
The Magician's Nephew is a fantasy novel by C. S. Lewis that serves as a prequel to the beloved Chronicles of Narnia series. It tells the story of two children, Digory and Polly, who stumble upon a magical world and witness the creation of Narnia by the powerful lion, Aslan. Filled with adventure, enchantment, and moral lessons, the book explores themes of good versus evil and the consequences of one's actions. It is a captivating tale that will transport readers to a world of wonder and imagination.
The Magician's Nephew Review
The Magician's Nephew (1955) takes readers on a thrilling journey to the origin of Narnia, unraveling its secrets and introducing memorable characters. Here's why this book is definitely worth reading:
- It explores a fascinating and magical world, filled with mythical creatures and enchanting adventures.
- The book delves into deep themes of good vs. evil, morality, and the consequences of one's actions, sparking philosophical contemplation.
- With its rich imagination and vivid descriptions, the story captures the reader's attention, ensuring that boredom is out of the question.
Who should read The Magician's Nephew?
- Readers who enjoy magical adventures and fantasy worlds
- People who appreciate stories that explore the origins and mysteries of a fictional universe
- Fans of C. S. Lewis and his Chronicles of Narnia series
Categories with The Magician's Nephew
Book summaries like The Magician's Nephew
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
34 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
The Magician's Nephew FAQs
What is the main message of The Magician's Nephew?
The main message of The Magician's Nephew is the power of choices and the consequences they bring.
How long does it take to read The Magician's Nephew?
The reading time for The Magician's Nephew may vary, but it typically takes a few hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is The Magician's Nephew a good book? Is it worth reading?
The Magician's Nephew is worth reading for its imaginative storytelling and exploration of good and evil, making it an enjoyable read for both children and adults.
Who is the author of The Magician's Nephew?
The author of The Magician's Nephew is C. S. Lewis.
What to read after The Magician's Nephew?
If you're wondering what to read next after The Magician's Nephew, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- How Children Succeed by Paul Tough
- Becoming Attached by Robert Karen
- All Joy and No Fun by Jennifer Senior
- The Opposite of Spoiled by Ron Lieber
- Minimalist Parenting by Christine Koh and Asha Dornfest
- Moms Mean Business by Erin Baebler and Lara Galloway
- Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother by Amy Chua
- Screamfree Parenting by Hal Edward Runkel
- Getting to 50/50 by Sharon Meers and Joanna Strober
- The Drama of the Gifted Child by Alice Miller