The Narnia Tag

Hello, friends of Aslan!

The lovely Maya Joelle @The Stories Are True tagged me for The Narnia Tag, and as a lifelong Narnian, I’m so, so excited to fill it out!

rules:

• Thank the person who nominated you (thanks, Maya!)
• Rate your degree of “Narnia fanatic” (nostalgic, serious, maniacal)
• Answer the questions below
• Tag 5+ bloggers
• Have fun!

rate of Narnia fanatics:

1. Nostalgic Fanatic — you read the book and/or watched the movies as a child and the word Narnia gives you a warm feeling

2. Serious Fanatic — you rediscovered the wonder of Narnia after you were older and have read the books and watched the movies

3. Maniacal Fanatic — you have lived Narnia from childhood, hid in closets on more occasions than is healthy, have read and watched all the movies including the BBC version

Hmmmmmmm. *scratches head a smidge* I guess I’d put myself in the “Nostalgic Fanatic” category, given that I read and reread the books constantly & obsessively from age 8 to age 13, but never saw any of the films.

I think this rating system is based on the assumption that if you’re “serious” or “maniacal” about your Narnia fanaticism, you’ve definitely watched the movies. Which I have avoided doing. Deliberately. 😛 For the simple reason that the existing Narnia films (casting, visuals, aesthetic choices) don’t reflect the Narnia of my imagination … and in fact clash with the Narnia of my imagination. I recognize they’re a valid interpretation of the storyworld and I’m glad they bring so many fans joy; but the fact remains that they’re “not my Narnia.” And that’s okay, y’know?

I’ll talk more about the specific type of Narnia films I would like to see in answer to the questions below.

the tag questions:

1. Who’s your favorite Pevensie sibling?

(source)

Lucy, without question. It’s always been Lucy. I related to her instantly as a wide-eyed eight-year-old reading The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe for the first time, and I still do today. She has a sweeping imagination, a tender heart easily hurt by the cruelties of the world, and a soft, wistful melancholy. (She’s also a fellow INFP, so *dabs*)

Casting wise, I picture Lucy as slender and physically fragile, with wavy dark hair, olive-tinged skin, and large, expressive dark eyes. I don’t know who I’d choose to fit that bill … hmmm … any ideas?

2. What is the most underrated Narnia book?

Definitely The Magician’s Nephew. It’s my second favorite after The Silver Chair, and I feel like it’s often overlooked by the fandom … being “outside” the Pevensie-framed timeline. But guys!!! It’s so good!!! AUNT LETTY ALONE. I REST MY CASE. Also, creation myths. Yussssssssssss.

3. Who is your favorite Narnian king?

King Caspian, my sweet, impetuous, blond-haired boi who fell in love with a daughter of the stars. Caspian deserves all the hugs (and does not deserve a romance subplot with Susan Pevensie who’s technically hundreds of years older than him and who has her own independent character arc to focus on, thankyouverymuch) (until Lewis went and did her dirty in The Last Battle and I’ll never forgive him for that) (don’t @me, I’m emotional)

Ah, yes. Where were we? 😛

(source)

4. Who is your favorite Narnian queen?

Queen Lucy the Valiant, of course. ❤

5. Which non-human Narnian do you like best?

Mr. Tumnus!!! Mr. Tumnus and his dainty cloven hoofs and his tea-set and his magnificent little library!

6. Which book deserves a movie?

*cracks knuckles*

This is where I’m gonna talk about the Narnia film project I would personally like to see. Hear me out: an animated series.

No, I’m not talking about the old cartoon version from the ’80s: I’m talking a big-budget, lavish, gorgeously and lovingly detailed production worthy of Dreamworks or Pixar. I’m talking a REALLY REALLY GOOD animated series.

I say this because my biggest personal complaint about the aesthetic of the existing Narnia movies, is their solid, “tangible” feel. In my opinion, they shine too garish a light on the landscape. They don’t capture the dreamy, ethereal vision I always held in my imagination … a Narnia painted in watercolors and shrouded in mist. If fantasy and mystery is the vibe we’re going for, I think taking things out of live-action and into the world of animation would be a good first step.

(source)

However, I could be persuaded to accept a new live-action version (are you listening, Netflix?) as long as they caught that all-important sense of the Mystic Other.

7. What is the one thing you did as a Narnia fan that you do not regret?

I read–nay, inhaled–the first six books in under a week at age eight. I’ll never regret that week. One of my most treasured memories. ❤

“bUT YOU WERE TOO YOUNG TO APPRECIATE THEM AND YOU READ THEM TOO FAST–” speak for yourself, Sir. I can’t hear you over the sound of Aslan singing to awaken the dawn of a new world.

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I hereby tag Oliva @Meanwhile in Rivendell, Eva-Joy @Coffee, Classics, and Craziness, Maribeth @A Writer’s Tale … and anyone else who loves Narnia!

Don’t be shy, friends!

Remember, once a king or queen of Narnia, always a king or queen of Narnia. 😉