Unfortunately, I didn’t love this one as much as the first two. 

One reason for this is the blatant sexism in play, which didn’t feel as present in the first two books. E.g. Susan is basically called a bimbo – she’s the “pretty one” of the family (which is massively looked down on, even though not something she can help), bad at school, but in every other way is “older than her age”. Blurgh. 

And then Caspian didn’t want to marry someone because she “Squints, and has freckles” – a failing of character that isn’t commented on at all - but when Lucy is a little envious of her sister’s beauty, it’s a massive sin. 

Another reason was Eustace’s background. As a character he gave some great comedic moments, and I especially enjoyed the diary entries, but he made absolutely no sense to me. I don't see how a kid raised in such a seemingly progressive household could be such a twat, and it seems like Lewis made that choice just to make a point. I was getting pretty strong right wing propaganda vibes… 

Lewis portrays Eustace as being coddled his whole life by parents who think kids should be looked after/wrapped in cotton wool (which is what the right think of leftist education/child protection reform etc.), which has turned him into a brat because he doesn’t think of others. But the WHOLE POINT of the sort of progressive people Lewis describes his parents as is that that THINK OF OTHERS. 

In real life, the blundering oaf would be the right winger, stuck in their ways and unable to have empathy for others in any way or see another’s point of view. 

The only way Eustace would make sense as a character is if he was rebelling against his parent's ideals, and purposely going against them. But he’s essentially described as being a clone of his parents at the start of the book, so that clearly was not the case. Apparently, people who don’t eat meat and want kids to stop getting abused are sinful, selfish cretins? 

The ending also fell down a little because there’s a gaping omission – what happened to Rhoop?? He was put into a sleep with the three other lords, with the intention of being woken when the others were, but in the last paragraph all it says is “And the three lords woke from their sleep.” No mention of Rhoop at all. 

In saying all this, I did still have a good time with the book, as my main issues were condensed at the beginning of the story, so most of the read was perfectly pleasant. I really liked the first proper sign of the Aslan/God situation at the end, even though it instinctively disgusted my deeply atheist soul. And Reepicheep will forever have my heart.