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The Narnia Code: C. S. Lewis and the Secret of the Seven Heavens
Millions of readers have been captivated by C. S. Lewis’s famed Chronicles of Narnia, but why? What is it about these seven books that makes them so appealing? For more than half a century, scholars have attempted to find the organizing key—the “secret code”—to the beloved series, but it has remained a mystery. Until now. In The Narnia Code, Michael Ward takes the reader through each of the seven Narnia books and reveals how each story embodies and expresses the characteristics of one of the seven planets of medieval cosmology—Jupiter, Mars, Sol, Luna, Mercury, Venus and Saturn—planets which Lewis described as “spiritual symbols of permanent value.” How does medieval cosmology relate to the Christian underpinnings of the series? How did it impact Lewis’s depiction of Aslan, the Christlike character at the heart of the books? And why did Lewis keep this planetary inspiration a secret? Originally a ground-breaking scholarly work called Planet Narnia, this more accessible adaptation will answer all the questions.
208 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
69 people are currently reading
1329 people want to read
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Michael Ward
23 books182 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 170 reviews
January 28, 2019
This little book (which is Ward’s consolidated and simplified version of his much longer scholarly book, Planet Narnia) packed such a huge punch I am going to have a hard time explaining exactly what it was about and exactly why it was so brilliant. But here’s what I’ll say. I have loved The Chronicles of Narnia since I was a child. I’ve reread the whole series numerous times. Every time I read the books I value them for the immersive stories they tell, for the memorable characters, for their charm, for the beauty and simplicity of the writing, and for the wisdom that fills every page.
When asked, Lewis said that the books were about Christ, but how? Was it only the character of Aslan? Or was it something more about the stories that tells us about Jesus? Aslan certainly seems to be the only consistent thread through the stories. The series doesn’t have an overarching plot (although they can be placed chronologically); likewise, they seemingly don’t have an internal cohesion or logic to them. However, if one knows C S Lewis, one knows that writing a seven book series that doesn’t hold together logically would be deeply out of character.
Scholars have looked for this internal logic for some time, but Ward seems to have cracked the code and I’m CONVINCED. He argues that the seven books in the Narnia series reflect each of the pre-Copernian era’s seven planets and what they represent as it relates to God. It’s astute and astounding and utterly jaw dropping. I walked away with a deeper appreciation for the rich complexity hidden in these simple stories. Lewis was a genius and I’m sure he’s having a right good laugh that it took us 60 years to crack his secret code. And Michael Ward is exceptional not only for figuring it all out, but for explaining it in such a way that it makes sense to someone who has very little knowledge about medieval thought in general and medieval astrology/astronomy in particular. Just wonderful. Someday if I’m feeling my academic side, I’ll attempt to pick up Planet Narnia - I’d love to know more details about all of these ideas.
When asked, Lewis said that the books were about Christ, but how? Was it only the character of Aslan? Or was it something more about the stories that tells us about Jesus? Aslan certainly seems to be the only consistent thread through the stories. The series doesn’t have an overarching plot (although they can be placed chronologically); likewise, they seemingly don’t have an internal cohesion or logic to them. However, if one knows C S Lewis, one knows that writing a seven book series that doesn’t hold together logically would be deeply out of character.
Scholars have looked for this internal logic for some time, but Ward seems to have cracked the code and I’m CONVINCED. He argues that the seven books in the Narnia series reflect each of the pre-Copernian era’s seven planets and what they represent as it relates to God. It’s astute and astounding and utterly jaw dropping. I walked away with a deeper appreciation for the rich complexity hidden in these simple stories. Lewis was a genius and I’m sure he’s having a right good laugh that it took us 60 years to crack his secret code. And Michael Ward is exceptional not only for figuring it all out, but for explaining it in such a way that it makes sense to someone who has very little knowledge about medieval thought in general and medieval astrology/astronomy in particular. Just wonderful. Someday if I’m feeling my academic side, I’ll attempt to pick up Planet Narnia - I’d love to know more details about all of these ideas.
March 11, 2013
Planet Narnia, by the same author, is one of the best books I have ever read. This is a shorter version, arguing the same thesis, and written at a more popular level. Just fantastic. If you are a Lewis junkie, then read Planet Narnia. If you are a Lewis fan, read this one. Or you could read them both, I suppose.
April 26, 2022
Readers of the Narnian Chronicles always "knew" that there was religious, heavenly symbolism buried in the books.
"The Narnia Code" reveals all
Lewis explains that the seven heavens are displayed in each of the Narnian books
In The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, the children become kings and queens under the royal crown of Jupiter.
In Prince Caspian, they become knights and forest folk under the wooden shield of Mars.
In The Voyage of the “Dawn Treader,” they drink light and slay dragons under the Sun’s golden embrace.
In The Silver Chair, they avoid lunacy and reflect truth beneath the mirroring Moon.
In The Horse and His Boy, they learn true speech under the living and active word of Mercury.
In The Magician’s Nephew, they witness creation, laugh, and learn to love the Morning Star.
And in The Last Battle, under Saturn’s awful and awe-full influence, they learn the final lesson: “Blessed are those who die in the Lord”
How did it all start?
When he began writing The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Lewis didn’t know there was going to be more than one book. He wanted to write a Jupiter-themed story, I believe, because Jupiter was his favorite planet, the one he jokingly said he himself had been born under, and the one he thought the people needed to know about more than any other. “Of Saturn we know more than enough,” he said, “but who does not need to be reminded of Jove?”
Having written his Jove story, Lewis then started work on his Venus tale (The Magician’s Nephew), but he couldn’t find the right shape for that story, so he set it aside for a while.
In the meantime, he wrote Prince Caspian and The Voyage of the “Dawn Treader,” and it was around then that he decided he would do all seven. He had actually finished four of the books before he published the first. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe was published in 1950, and the other six followed, one each year, until 1956.
He told one of his former students that he had had “an idea” that he wanted to try out, and now, having “tried it out to the full” after seven books, it was time to stop.
The hidden meanings behind the books are gently revealed without spoiling the mystery of Narnia
Enjoy!
"The Narnia Code" reveals all
Lewis explains that the seven heavens are displayed in each of the Narnian books
In The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, the children become kings and queens under the royal crown of Jupiter.
In Prince Caspian, they become knights and forest folk under the wooden shield of Mars.
In The Voyage of the “Dawn Treader,” they drink light and slay dragons under the Sun’s golden embrace.
In The Silver Chair, they avoid lunacy and reflect truth beneath the mirroring Moon.
In The Horse and His Boy, they learn true speech under the living and active word of Mercury.
In The Magician’s Nephew, they witness creation, laugh, and learn to love the Morning Star.
And in The Last Battle, under Saturn’s awful and awe-full influence, they learn the final lesson: “Blessed are those who die in the Lord”
How did it all start?
When he began writing The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Lewis didn’t know there was going to be more than one book. He wanted to write a Jupiter-themed story, I believe, because Jupiter was his favorite planet, the one he jokingly said he himself had been born under, and the one he thought the people needed to know about more than any other. “Of Saturn we know more than enough,” he said, “but who does not need to be reminded of Jove?”
Having written his Jove story, Lewis then started work on his Venus tale (The Magician’s Nephew), but he couldn’t find the right shape for that story, so he set it aside for a while.
In the meantime, he wrote Prince Caspian and The Voyage of the “Dawn Treader,” and it was around then that he decided he would do all seven. He had actually finished four of the books before he published the first. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe was published in 1950, and the other six followed, one each year, until 1956.
He told one of his former students that he had had “an idea” that he wanted to try out, and now, having “tried it out to the full” after seven books, it was time to stop.
The hidden meanings behind the books are gently revealed without spoiling the mystery of Narnia
Enjoy!
April 8, 2013
Despite the fact I think Michael Ward caught the ball and then dropped it on this one, I'm still giving it five stars.
The premise - that Lewis deliberately encoded each both in the Narnia series with attributes of the seven medieval planets (not the same as our present solar system) - is an intriguing one.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe according to Ward is encoded around the medieval planet Jupiter. As I read this with an open mind, I thought, 'Possibly.'
Prince Caspian according to Ward is encoded around the medieval planet Mars. As I read this with an open mind, I thought, 'Yes.'
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader according to Ward is encoded around the medieval planet Sun. As I read this with an open mind, I thought, 'Probably.'
The Silver Chair according to Ward is encoded around the medieval planet Moon. As I read this with an open mind, I thought, 'No.' Absolutely, positively, definitely no. It's obvious it's not. You've got the introduction of Jill and her fall into Narnia (so reminiscent of the old Norse fable behind Jack and Jill.) But about forty percent of the story is about giants and the references to the moon are mainly built on evocations of 'silver'.
So Ward's thesis entirely lost its credibility for me at this point.
Unfortunately, of course, in a closed system if there is one mistake, there has to be more than one.
And where I think Ward has gone wrong is that he focussed too heavily on Latin allusions and failed to look at the Norse and Anglo-Saxon. Consequently he made the right connection and then almost immediately dropped it: the medieval planets correspond to the days of the week.
If Ward had examined the days of the week more closely, he would have been on the right track. The Silver Chair is not about the moon, it is about Thursday, named after Thor. But it's way too clever to rely on references to Thor (who in classical times, contrary to the present, was considered as the counterpart of Jupiter) when it can go for a whole heap of games around the word 'thurs' - the giants, the rises and the thurses of Norse mythology.
With the exception of The Horse and His Boy, the series as originally published corresponds to the days of the week in order, starting with Sunday. However if The Horse and His Boy had been published as Lewis originally wanted, there would be perfect congruence.
And I have to say that, to me, the source of Lewis' inspiration for this is absolutely obvious: it's in the work of his friend GK Chesterton and the book The Man Who Was Thursday.
That final scene is an irresistible source of inspiration.
The premise - that Lewis deliberately encoded each both in the Narnia series with attributes of the seven medieval planets (not the same as our present solar system) - is an intriguing one.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe according to Ward is encoded around the medieval planet Jupiter. As I read this with an open mind, I thought, 'Possibly.'
Prince Caspian according to Ward is encoded around the medieval planet Mars. As I read this with an open mind, I thought, 'Yes.'
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader according to Ward is encoded around the medieval planet Sun. As I read this with an open mind, I thought, 'Probably.'
The Silver Chair according to Ward is encoded around the medieval planet Moon. As I read this with an open mind, I thought, 'No.' Absolutely, positively, definitely no. It's obvious it's not. You've got the introduction of Jill and her fall into Narnia (so reminiscent of the old Norse fable behind Jack and Jill.) But about forty percent of the story is about giants and the references to the moon are mainly built on evocations of 'silver'.
So Ward's thesis entirely lost its credibility for me at this point.
Unfortunately, of course, in a closed system if there is one mistake, there has to be more than one.
And where I think Ward has gone wrong is that he focussed too heavily on Latin allusions and failed to look at the Norse and Anglo-Saxon. Consequently he made the right connection and then almost immediately dropped it: the medieval planets correspond to the days of the week.
If Ward had examined the days of the week more closely, he would have been on the right track. The Silver Chair is not about the moon, it is about Thursday, named after Thor. But it's way too clever to rely on references to Thor (who in classical times, contrary to the present, was considered as the counterpart of Jupiter) when it can go for a whole heap of games around the word 'thurs' - the giants, the rises and the thurses of Norse mythology.
With the exception of The Horse and His Boy, the series as originally published corresponds to the days of the week in order, starting with Sunday. However if The Horse and His Boy had been published as Lewis originally wanted, there would be perfect congruence.
And I have to say that, to me, the source of Lewis' inspiration for this is absolutely obvious: it's in the work of his friend GK Chesterton and the book The Man Who Was Thursday.
That final scene is an irresistible source of inspiration.
February 6, 2024
I’ve always loved Narnia. It’s one of the most magical worlds every created, and it has captivated my imagination since I first met Aslan in elementary school. I’ve lost count of the times I’ve revisited that world, whether through rereading the entire series or dipping my toes back into a single book. But I would be lying if I didn’t confess that there are portions of the books that I’ve never quite understood. I could grasp why Father Christmas visited Narnia, even if there was no Christ or Nativity in Narnia; it demonstrated the passing of the White Witch’s tyranny. And yet, his presence still threw me. But not nearly as much as the presence of Bacchus in Prince Caspian, or Father Time in The Last Battle, or a host of other small inclusions in the series as a whole. If Narnia is about Jesus, as Lewis stated, how did these others fit in?
When I was rereading Narnia at the end of 2023, I was listening to the C.S. Lewis Book Club Podcast alongside it. They kept mentioning a book called Planet Narnia, and how the findings of Michael Ward shed so much light on the series. The Narnia Code is a shorter, tighter version of that book. Scholars had for years been searching for what bound the seven Narnia books together, outside of just the setting. There was obviously some through-line, something binding everything together. We feel that when we read it. And yet, no one was ever able to put their finger on it. It wasn’t the seven deadly sins, or the seven virtues, or anything else linked to the number seven. Or so we thought, until Michael stumbled upon the answer.
Lewis loved medieval cosmology. While he didn’t believe that the universe was physically set up that way, since science had proved otherwise, he loved the depth of meaning attached to the heavenly bodies in pre-Copernican cosmology. At that point in time, we believed that the Earth was fixed in place, and that celestial bodies revolved around us. These seven bodies, the only ones knows at the time, were: Jupiter, Mars, the Sun, the Moon, Mercury, Venus, and Saturn. Each of these celestial bodies were given a host of attributes, and those attributes were on display in those born under each body, or those under its influence at any given time.
This belief might be outdated, but it was rich in meaning. Lewis was fascinated by it, and wove it into every aspect of Narnia. Each book corresponds to a different celestial body, and shows some different facet of Aslan’s character. We see Him, and thus Jesus, as King, Commander, Light, Mirror, Word, Life, and Mystery.
Which book corresponds to which planet? That’s what this book is about, and it brought so much rich insight and clarity to the entire series for me. I loved my time with The Narnia Code, and I don’t want to spoil the joy of discovery for anyone else. It’s absolutely worth reading. And it will make you fall in love with Narnia all over again. If you want to discover these insights for yourself, stop reading here. But if you want to know these links without experiencing the book for yourself, I’ll end this review with Ward’s seven point summary:
“There is a spirit linking all these different things just as in the real world the Spirit of Christ is to be seen both in the Creator and in His creation.”
“We “enjoy” the heavenly atmosphere in each book—breathing it, smelling it, tasting it, allowing it to fill and inform our whole imaginative experience.”
When I was rereading Narnia at the end of 2023, I was listening to the C.S. Lewis Book Club Podcast alongside it. They kept mentioning a book called Planet Narnia, and how the findings of Michael Ward shed so much light on the series. The Narnia Code is a shorter, tighter version of that book. Scholars had for years been searching for what bound the seven Narnia books together, outside of just the setting. There was obviously some through-line, something binding everything together. We feel that when we read it. And yet, no one was ever able to put their finger on it. It wasn’t the seven deadly sins, or the seven virtues, or anything else linked to the number seven. Or so we thought, until Michael stumbled upon the answer.
“If we don’t understand where we have come from, we won’t really understand where we are or where we’re going. It’s vital to keep alive a knowledge of old ways of thinking in order to keep fully alive our present way of thinking.”
Lewis loved medieval cosmology. While he didn’t believe that the universe was physically set up that way, since science had proved otherwise, he loved the depth of meaning attached to the heavenly bodies in pre-Copernican cosmology. At that point in time, we believed that the Earth was fixed in place, and that celestial bodies revolved around us. These seven bodies, the only ones knows at the time, were: Jupiter, Mars, the Sun, the Moon, Mercury, Venus, and Saturn. Each of these celestial bodies were given a host of attributes, and those attributes were on display in those born under each body, or those under its influence at any given time.
“Modern science tends to think in terms of matter and mechanism and measurements. But pre-Copernican science tended to think also in terms of purposes and points and persons. Lewis thought it was a mistake to allow the two sets of quests to get split apart from each other. To be fully human we need to ask and try to answer both sets of questions, not just one set.”
This belief might be outdated, but it was rich in meaning. Lewis was fascinated by it, and wove it into every aspect of Narnia. Each book corresponds to a different celestial body, and shows some different facet of Aslan’s character. We see Him, and thus Jesus, as King, Commander, Light, Mirror, Word, Life, and Mystery.
“By using more than one image for God, we remind ourselves that any image is only temporary; it must be corrected and relieved by other images. These images serve our minds; they do not save our souls. A fork is not food.”
Which book corresponds to which planet? That’s what this book is about, and it brought so much rich insight and clarity to the entire series for me. I loved my time with The Narnia Code, and I don’t want to spoil the joy of discovery for anyone else. It’s absolutely worth reading. And it will make you fall in love with Narnia all over again. If you want to discover these insights for yourself, stop reading here. But if you want to know these links without experiencing the book for yourself, I’ll end this review with Ward’s seven point summary:
“In The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, the children become kings and queens under the royal crown of Jupiter.
In Prince Caspian, they become knights and forest folk under the wooden shield of Mars.
In The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, they drink light and slay dragons under the Sun’s golden embrace.
In The Silver Chair, they avoid lunacy and reflect truth beneath the mirroring Moon.
In The Horse and His Boy, they learn true speech under the living and active word of Mercury.
In The Magician’s Nephew, they witness creation, laugh, and learn to love the Morning Star (Venus).
And in The Last Battle, under Saturn’s awful and awe-full influence, they learn the final lesson: ‘Blessed are those who die in the Lord.’”
February 19, 2017
Do you remember when you first read The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis? Many people, like me, trace their love of fantasy fiction back to that moment. As I gobbled up each of the seven books of the Chronicles of Narnia series, I entered a world of knights, chivalry, valor, magic and wonder — that awakened in me a fresh wonder at the divine influence in all of life.
As I went on to other fantasy tales, largely by Christian authors such as J.R.R. Tolkien and Stephen Lawhead, I encountered more intricate worlds and elaborate tales than what I found in Narnia. But the overt symbolism in the first Narnian tale, hinted at so much more beneath the surface of the Narnia tales. Reading Lewis’ space trilogy I once again encountered symbolism that I couldn’t quite grasp, but that was alluring and powerful nonetheless.
So a few years ago, when I learned of a new book by Michael Ward entitled Planet Narnia: The Seven Heavens in the Imagination of C. S. Lewis, I was captivated and just had to get it. That scholarly tome, whose hardback edition boasted 347 pages and almost 60 pages of endnotes, was a delight to work through. Bit by bit, Ward shared the thrill of his discovery — the long sought after, unifying key to the Narnia stories. It was a bit of a chore to go through all the scholarly citations, but along the way I learned a great deal about all of Lewis’ works, not just the Narnian chronicles.
Now, however, the fruit of Ward’s scholarly research is available for a wider, general market audience. Based on an earlier documentary/DVD, Tyndale House has published an accessible paperback entitled The Narnia Code: C. S. Lewis and the Secret of the Seven Heavens.
I was able to pick up this smaller book from Tyndale. It’s only 191 pages with an easy to read font. To be sure, some of the finer points from Planet Narnia don’t find their way into the condensed edition. Still, one will find all the joy (and significance) of Ward’s discovery, a fascinating explanation of the pre-Copernican planetary model, and a detailed exposition of each Narnian chronicle according to the new insights gained from Ward’s study. The interested reader could certainly move on from The Narnia Code to Planet Narnia if he or she so chose, but most will be satisfied by the tale as told in the smaller work.
I don’t want to ruin the book by explaining in detail all of Ward’s discoveries. I will just note that he finds a planetary connection between Lewis the scholar’s appreciation for the pre-Copernican view of the planets as influencing mankind in various ways, and Lewis the author’s intricate method of creating a unique atmosphere that permeates each of his seven Narnian tales.
I can say this, however, you will be convinced by Ward’s discovery. And it will give new life to the Chronicles of Narnia. You’ll never read them the same way again. And Christ’s glory will be seen anew in all its wonder, illuminated in many small yet wonderful ways by Lewis’ intricate crafting of these wildly popular stories.
An expanded version of this review, with additional content and resources, is available at CrossFocusedReviews.com.
Disclaimer: This book was provided by Tyndale House Publishers for review. The reviewer was under no obligation to offer a favorable review.
As I went on to other fantasy tales, largely by Christian authors such as J.R.R. Tolkien and Stephen Lawhead, I encountered more intricate worlds and elaborate tales than what I found in Narnia. But the overt symbolism in the first Narnian tale, hinted at so much more beneath the surface of the Narnia tales. Reading Lewis’ space trilogy I once again encountered symbolism that I couldn’t quite grasp, but that was alluring and powerful nonetheless.
So a few years ago, when I learned of a new book by Michael Ward entitled Planet Narnia: The Seven Heavens in the Imagination of C. S. Lewis, I was captivated and just had to get it. That scholarly tome, whose hardback edition boasted 347 pages and almost 60 pages of endnotes, was a delight to work through. Bit by bit, Ward shared the thrill of his discovery — the long sought after, unifying key to the Narnia stories. It was a bit of a chore to go through all the scholarly citations, but along the way I learned a great deal about all of Lewis’ works, not just the Narnian chronicles.
Now, however, the fruit of Ward’s scholarly research is available for a wider, general market audience. Based on an earlier documentary/DVD, Tyndale House has published an accessible paperback entitled The Narnia Code: C. S. Lewis and the Secret of the Seven Heavens.
I was able to pick up this smaller book from Tyndale. It’s only 191 pages with an easy to read font. To be sure, some of the finer points from Planet Narnia don’t find their way into the condensed edition. Still, one will find all the joy (and significance) of Ward’s discovery, a fascinating explanation of the pre-Copernican planetary model, and a detailed exposition of each Narnian chronicle according to the new insights gained from Ward’s study. The interested reader could certainly move on from The Narnia Code to Planet Narnia if he or she so chose, but most will be satisfied by the tale as told in the smaller work.
I don’t want to ruin the book by explaining in detail all of Ward’s discoveries. I will just note that he finds a planetary connection between Lewis the scholar’s appreciation for the pre-Copernican view of the planets as influencing mankind in various ways, and Lewis the author’s intricate method of creating a unique atmosphere that permeates each of his seven Narnian tales.
I can say this, however, you will be convinced by Ward’s discovery. And it will give new life to the Chronicles of Narnia. You’ll never read them the same way again. And Christ’s glory will be seen anew in all its wonder, illuminated in many small yet wonderful ways by Lewis’ intricate crafting of these wildly popular stories.
An expanded version of this review, with additional content and resources, is available at CrossFocusedReviews.com.
Disclaimer: This book was provided by Tyndale House Publishers for review. The reviewer was under no obligation to offer a favorable review.
July 30, 2019
Having just re-read the Narnia septilogy, I believed the flabbergasting claims this book made pretty quickly. Still, the hidden themes Lewis wove into Narnia were extremely and beautifully shocking. How did nobody discover them sooner? This is a must read for all Narnia fans.
April 8, 2019
Mind blown. Completely convinced.
September 3, 2016
Hey, it was free to borrow on my Kindle. AND I was really intrigued in the idea that Lewis was using medieval cosmology as themes for each of the Narnia books.
Not that I've read them all. I haven't.
But after reading That Hideous Strength in which eldils from different planets are significant, Ward's idea made sense.
I am 50% done and am really enthralled by this idea. I actually will pick up the Narnia series with book 4 and finish it after I'm done.
The whole explanation of medieval cosmology as seen in the Narnia books is riveting and, if for no other reason, I am very glad to be introduced to the subject.
I've requested Ward's earlier, more scholarly, book on this subject and also C.S. Lewis's "The Discarded Image" for his explanation of medieval mindsets (it's supposed to be pretty amazing).
FINAL
I liked this so much that I got Planet Narnia by the same author, which is his first book on the subject (and less succinct and possibly less dumbed down - not that this feels dumbed down, actually).
Not that I've read them all. I haven't.
But after reading That Hideous Strength in which eldils from different planets are significant, Ward's idea made sense.
I am 50% done and am really enthralled by this idea. I actually will pick up the Narnia series with book 4 and finish it after I'm done.
The whole explanation of medieval cosmology as seen in the Narnia books is riveting and, if for no other reason, I am very glad to be introduced to the subject.
I've requested Ward's earlier, more scholarly, book on this subject and also C.S. Lewis's "The Discarded Image" for his explanation of medieval mindsets (it's supposed to be pretty amazing).
FINAL
I liked this so much that I got Planet Narnia by the same author, which is his first book on the subject (and less succinct and possibly less dumbed down - not that this feels dumbed down, actually).
December 18, 2024
Thoroughly fascinating. My respect for Lewis definitely grew in reading this. This was the kind of book I was craving to read after finishing the Ransom Trilogy (even though it’s about Narnia). Ward gives his readers an introduction to medieval cosmology and helps them understand why Lewis believed that it was important. It was really fun to be reminded of the overall story of the Narnia Chronicles. Definitely will have to reread them again soon!
March 24, 2021
Very interesting. Great to read alongside the The Chronicles. Ward makes a compeling case. I recommend Ward's bigger book Planet Narnia for a more in depth look at his thesis.
Read
March 16, 2024I have been convinced. Disregard the very conspiracy-theory-esque cover, this is very compelling, I promise! If you’re into the chronicles of narnia you should read this. Now I want to go back and re-read them all. All of creation’s beauty, including literary genius, points my heart and mind toward the existence and glory of God.
December 14, 2010
I'm a lifelong Chronicles of Narnia fan. I first read the series when I was only about seven years old. But I have to admit I wasn't sure what to expect when I received a copy of The Narnia Code: C. S. Lewis and the Secret of the Seven Heavens by Michael Ward to review. It all sounded too mysterious and sensational...I was skeptical.
It turned out to be fascinating! Dr. Ward makes his case convincingly, and the book reads almost like a mystery novel as he uncovers more and more clues and evidence to support his theory. The Narnia Code is a popular level treatment of his earlier, more scholarly work on the same theory called Planet Narnia: The Seven Heavens in the Imagination of C. S. Lewis. There's also a documentary available on DVD.
The books have been criticized as being a hodgepodge, and there has always been speculation about a unifying theme to the series, but none has ever been found. Certain "out of place" things in the stories had always bothered Dr. Ward...he knew enough about Lewis to realize that he never did anything unintentionally! So, why does Father Christmas appear in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe? Shouldn't it be "Father Aslanmas"? Why does the Roman god Bacchus appear in Prince Caspian? These and several other things just don't seem to fit.
Well, I think that Michael Ward has convinced me that he's found that unifying theme! Dr. Ward, an expert on C.S. Lewis, asserts that the seven Chronicles of Narnia are structured around the seven medieval planets. Lewis loved all things medieval, and of course his academic field was in the literature of the Middle Ages and Renaissance. The key to "cracking" the "Narnia code" came in the form of a long poem C.S. Lewis wrote in 1935 (fifteen years before The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe was written) called "The Planets". The poem is all about how the planets were understood in medieval times, when it was believed there were only seven planets and that they exerted influences over the Earth, affecting people, events, etc.
I don't want to give away too much, but I will say that I've read quite a bit of Lewis' work and several biographies in preparation for a junior high literature class I taught about the Chronicles, and Dr. Ward's theory seems very convincing to me. I found his explanations and knowledge of how C.S. Lewis thought to be spot on! The way Lewis' mind worked was truly extraordinary!
This book was a real treat to read for this Narnia fan! I'm looking forward to watching the DVD.
Thanks so much to Tyndale for providing my review copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
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It turned out to be fascinating! Dr. Ward makes his case convincingly, and the book reads almost like a mystery novel as he uncovers more and more clues and evidence to support his theory. The Narnia Code is a popular level treatment of his earlier, more scholarly work on the same theory called Planet Narnia: The Seven Heavens in the Imagination of C. S. Lewis. There's also a documentary available on DVD.
The books have been criticized as being a hodgepodge, and there has always been speculation about a unifying theme to the series, but none has ever been found. Certain "out of place" things in the stories had always bothered Dr. Ward...he knew enough about Lewis to realize that he never did anything unintentionally! So, why does Father Christmas appear in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe? Shouldn't it be "Father Aslanmas"? Why does the Roman god Bacchus appear in Prince Caspian? These and several other things just don't seem to fit.
Well, I think that Michael Ward has convinced me that he's found that unifying theme! Dr. Ward, an expert on C.S. Lewis, asserts that the seven Chronicles of Narnia are structured around the seven medieval planets. Lewis loved all things medieval, and of course his academic field was in the literature of the Middle Ages and Renaissance. The key to "cracking" the "Narnia code" came in the form of a long poem C.S. Lewis wrote in 1935 (fifteen years before The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe was written) called "The Planets". The poem is all about how the planets were understood in medieval times, when it was believed there were only seven planets and that they exerted influences over the Earth, affecting people, events, etc.
I don't want to give away too much, but I will say that I've read quite a bit of Lewis' work and several biographies in preparation for a junior high literature class I taught about the Chronicles, and Dr. Ward's theory seems very convincing to me. I found his explanations and knowledge of how C.S. Lewis thought to be spot on! The way Lewis' mind worked was truly extraordinary!
This book was a real treat to read for this Narnia fan! I'm looking forward to watching the DVD.
Thanks so much to Tyndale for providing my review copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
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November 2, 2018
I read "Planet Narnia," the original version of this book, when it came out back in 2008. While there are certainly passages in the earlier version that expand on the ideas presented in the Narnia Code, I don't feel like there is anything missing here that is absolutely vital for understanding and/or buying into Dr. Ward's argument.
There will be some who will be automatically turned off by the title, with its evocation of conspiracy theories, and to a point that's understandable. But if you've never had the chance to experience this argument firsthand, PLEASE don't let a raised eyebrow (or two) stop you.
I personally find Dr. Ward's argument very convincing. Given the piling on of detail after detail that builds up over the course of each chapter and throughout the book as a whole, it's hard to argue with it after a while (Alan Jacobs's review of Planet Narnia probably says it best).
As a reader who has been in love with the Narnia books since he inherited his father's box set in the fourth grade, I'm grateful to Dr. Ward for shedding a whole new light on what will always be one of my favorite series.
There will be some who will be automatically turned off by the title, with its evocation of conspiracy theories, and to a point that's understandable. But if you've never had the chance to experience this argument firsthand, PLEASE don't let a raised eyebrow (or two) stop you.
I personally find Dr. Ward's argument very convincing. Given the piling on of detail after detail that builds up over the course of each chapter and throughout the book as a whole, it's hard to argue with it after a while (Alan Jacobs's review of Planet Narnia probably says it best).
As a reader who has been in love with the Narnia books since he inherited his father's box set in the fourth grade, I'm grateful to Dr. Ward for shedding a whole new light on what will always be one of my favorite series.
June 7, 2017
Absolutely fascinating.
June 21, 2025
Loved it! Super interesting, intriguing, and great writing. I appreciate the Narnia chronicles so much more.
September 4, 2022
The entire time I've been aware of Narnia, I've managed to avoid reading any analyses of it.
Stupid? Choosing to be ignorant?
Totally.
It's sort of like when a TV show is all the rage and you can't seem to pick it up because you're tired of everyone talking about it.
This isn't for the MFA, per se, but was a move I felt like I needed to take before entering Writing Academia.
I've been a fool.
This makes Narnia so much better. Lewis is a genius. Horse and His Boy is still my favorite.
Knox called this "Planet Narnia Lite," so it's probably time to go read Planet Narnia for real.
Stupid? Choosing to be ignorant?
Totally.
It's sort of like when a TV show is all the rage and you can't seem to pick it up because you're tired of everyone talking about it.
This isn't for the MFA, per se, but was a move I felt like I needed to take before entering Writing Academia.
I've been a fool.
This makes Narnia so much better. Lewis is a genius. Horse and His Boy is still my favorite.
Knox called this "Planet Narnia Lite," so it's probably time to go read Planet Narnia for real.
March 25, 2025
After reading Planet Narnia followed by the Chronicles themselves, I came back and read this book as a refresher on the pattern Ward sees in the Narniad. This book is much more accessible than Planet Narnia and is more of an entry-level introduction to Ward's argument. But it is delightful and gives the main contours of the argument while still awakening my imagination in exciting ways.
May 29, 2021
Great insight written in lay language! I think he really cracked the code! This book and Planet Narnia have made my readings of the Chronicles far more special, and illuminated things I hadn’t originally noticed. But it is important to note that Michael does not get sidetracked by the seven heavens, yet he is always focused on what they and Lewis are communicating about the Gospel!
August 18, 2012
Did CS Lewis have a grand plan in mind as he wrote The Chronicles of Narnia? Was there some underlying theme that guided him as he created characters, scenes and details? And why did he have Father Christmas appear in a world that would not know the nativity story?
Intriguing questions, all of them; some pondered by Lewis scholars, others by fans of the series. Michael Ward, in his book The Narnia Code: CS Lewis and the Secret of the Seven Heavens, offers fascinating answers. Written as “the little brother” of Planet Narnia, Ward takes his doctoral dissertation and condenses it into a very readable and informative book.
Ward explains that Lewis, as a scholar of medieval literature, was well versed in classical mythology. Lewis loved the idea of the planets as influencers over men, each with its own character and images. Ward proposed that each of the Chronicles are inspired by one of the planets included in the ancient understanding of our solar system: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, the sun and the moon.
Chapter after chapter, Ward makes his case. It is a compelling one. The writer in me delights in learning that seemingly meaningless details, like the redness of a robin’s breast, ties into the symbolism of the planet inspiring that particular chronicle (in this case, red being the color associated with Jupiter.)
Some might think that use of classical mythology can hardly be fitting for a Christian author. Lewis takes the old myths and uses them for his own purpose. Each Chronicle either shows a different aspect or facet of God, or teaches a lesson about faith in Him.
As a reader who has long loved The Chronicles of Narnia, I was fascinated by The Narnia Code and read nearly all of it in one sitting. As a writer, I was stunned by the layers Lewis used to construct the Narnian world and the stories he told, all working in harmony with the myths and images from classical and medieval literature. Understanding the meaning behind some of Lewis’ images add even more to an already rich and enjoyable series.
Intriguing questions, all of them; some pondered by Lewis scholars, others by fans of the series. Michael Ward, in his book The Narnia Code: CS Lewis and the Secret of the Seven Heavens, offers fascinating answers. Written as “the little brother” of Planet Narnia, Ward takes his doctoral dissertation and condenses it into a very readable and informative book.
Ward explains that Lewis, as a scholar of medieval literature, was well versed in classical mythology. Lewis loved the idea of the planets as influencers over men, each with its own character and images. Ward proposed that each of the Chronicles are inspired by one of the planets included in the ancient understanding of our solar system: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, the sun and the moon.
Chapter after chapter, Ward makes his case. It is a compelling one. The writer in me delights in learning that seemingly meaningless details, like the redness of a robin’s breast, ties into the symbolism of the planet inspiring that particular chronicle (in this case, red being the color associated with Jupiter.)
Some might think that use of classical mythology can hardly be fitting for a Christian author. Lewis takes the old myths and uses them for his own purpose. Each Chronicle either shows a different aspect or facet of God, or teaches a lesson about faith in Him.
As a reader who has long loved The Chronicles of Narnia, I was fascinated by The Narnia Code and read nearly all of it in one sitting. As a writer, I was stunned by the layers Lewis used to construct the Narnian world and the stories he told, all working in harmony with the myths and images from classical and medieval literature. Understanding the meaning behind some of Lewis’ images add even more to an already rich and enjoyable series.
January 30, 2021
Point: C. S. Lewis did not cobble together the Chronicles of Narnia in a haphazard way. Rather, he deliberately and effectively patterned them after the pre-Copernican vision of the heavens in order that we might “feel” the heavens speaking to us and thereby see Christ in a clearer way.
Path: Ward explains the difficulties surrounding the Chronicles of Narnia, the peculiarities of Lewis, and then each installment of the Chronicles through the eyes of the seven heavens.
Sources: I have never read an author who has a better command of Lewis’ thought and writings than Michael Ward.
Agreement: I read Planet Narnia (the big version) first, and I still found this one exceptional. I would encourage people to read this one first and then Planet Narnia. My concept of the Chronicles of Narnia was blown away with Ward’s arguments.
Personal App: The heavens declare the glory of God!
Favorite Quote:
“Lewis believed that coming to know God is much more like “breathing a new atmosphere” than it is like “learning a subject.”[8] You can’t examine God from the outside as you would study a figure from history or follow a character in a TV series. Or perhaps you can, but it’s not going to make you much the wiser! It would be like examining raindrops on a window in order to quench your thirst.”
It would be worth another read and I would recommend it to someone who:
Loves the Chronicles of Narnia
Loves literature
Other books along this theme would be:
Michael Ward, Planet Narnia: The Seven Heavens in the Imagination of C. S. Lewis, 1 edition. (New York: Oxford University Press, 2010).
Path: Ward explains the difficulties surrounding the Chronicles of Narnia, the peculiarities of Lewis, and then each installment of the Chronicles through the eyes of the seven heavens.
Sources: I have never read an author who has a better command of Lewis’ thought and writings than Michael Ward.
Agreement: I read Planet Narnia (the big version) first, and I still found this one exceptional. I would encourage people to read this one first and then Planet Narnia. My concept of the Chronicles of Narnia was blown away with Ward’s arguments.
Personal App: The heavens declare the glory of God!
Favorite Quote:
“Lewis believed that coming to know God is much more like “breathing a new atmosphere” than it is like “learning a subject.”[8] You can’t examine God from the outside as you would study a figure from history or follow a character in a TV series. Or perhaps you can, but it’s not going to make you much the wiser! It would be like examining raindrops on a window in order to quench your thirst.”
It would be worth another read and I would recommend it to someone who:
Loves the Chronicles of Narnia
Loves literature
Other books along this theme would be:
Michael Ward, Planet Narnia: The Seven Heavens in the Imagination of C. S. Lewis, 1 edition. (New York: Oxford University Press, 2010).
December 10, 2016
Wow can I give this book SIX stars???? Michael Ward has done it, he has explained the entire Chronicles of Narnia series in a way that shows just how incredibly God had gifted CS Lewis who wrote this masterpiece. I have loved these books for a long time but Ward has taken a book series that I thought was clear and fully understood and shown that what I was reading was an old beat up VHS television recording in black and white....when the actual vision is HD full color on a level never thought imaginable! The Narnia Chronicles were already some of the best books ever written (not just best Christian books, but best all books) but if this is true they are spectacular on a whole different level! Amazing!! I guess I am gonna have to go read them again!! And boy am I excited to go do that now! Highest recommendation!!!
March 15, 2025
By Jove! I’ve been thoroughly convinced. If you’ve enjoyed The Chronicles of Narnia since childhood and even into adulthood, then you MUST read this book. The author does an incredible job of explaining the secret code behind each seven books written by Lewis. I am captivated by how much symbolism and imagery Lewis used in his Narnia books, and in the end, tell a story about Jesus. The heavens truly do declare the glory of God (Psalm 19:1). Once you can see the influence that the heavens had on each book, then you’ll be rather impressed by all the intricate detail Lewis put into his books. I can’t wait to re-read the whole series again with all that I’ve learned from The Narnia Code, and this time, I’ll be reading them with an even greater appreciation because I’ll be introducing my own children to the beautiful world of Narnia. Further up & further in!
July 11, 2012
An unexpectedly good book! With a title that sounds like a conspiracy theory crossed with a new age spirituality (I would never have bought had it not been on sale for $2.50), in fact it's a convincing and enjoyable literary discussion of the unifying theme behind C.S. Lewis' classic Narnia series. Ward argues that C.S. Lewis based the seven Narnia books on the seven planets of medieval astronomy (the kind of thing C.S. Lewis loved, as a scholar of medieval literature), each book themed around the characteristics of Jesus which came to be associated with the various planets. I'm looking forward to reading the Narnia books again with this in mind.
March 12, 2015
I have already read his PhD thesis published as Planet Narnia. But that was three years ago and I need this popular version of his thesis to restore my memory and inspire my imagination.
It certainly did inspire me. Ward's case is solid and his prose is winsome. And, of course, Christ is the focal point of all the creative, planetary lines Ward delineates for us.
Loved it.
It certainly did inspire me. Ward's case is solid and his prose is winsome. And, of course, Christ is the focal point of all the creative, planetary lines Ward delineates for us.
Loved it.
May 29, 2017
Sooo interesting. For someone with a moderate though wavering interest in religion and astronomy, this book gave a lot on insight into why certain things in the Bible, and Narnia, are as they are. It made me appreciate C S Lewis a little more, while also demonstrating he was a scholar just as much as a guy with an imagination.
July 31, 2017
3 stars [Literary]
Ward appears to have uncovered something that C.S. Lewis kept hidden even after his death. You will never read the Chronicles of Narnia the same way again. Ward's discovery enhances Lewis's mythopoeia.
Ward appears to have uncovered something that C.S. Lewis kept hidden even after his death. You will never read the Chronicles of Narnia the same way again. Ward's discovery enhances Lewis's mythopoeia.
April 8, 2018
I wish I had the time to read Planet Narnia at the moment, but I thoroughly enjoyed reading this shorter version. Ward's analysis was very logical and I believe will enrich my next reading of the books.
February 5, 2017
After looking at Michael Ward's argument, I can confidently agree that CS Lewis has woven the language of the medieval planets into his Narnia Chronicles. So interesting to read!
October 7, 2020
I came to C.S. Lewis’s " Chronicles of Narnia" as an adult and not really a believer but more of a believer wannabe. I enjoyed the simple charm of the children’s tales which overlay deeper meanings. The biblical parallels are obvious in some stories, but not so evident in others. There is no Narnia version of Christmas, for example. What is the “The Horse and His Boy” but a story of a long journey across a desert. Moreover, there seem to be a hodgepodge of characters that don’t seem to belong—the author asked himself even as a child what was Father Christmas doing in “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.” (Before publication, a friend of Lewis urged him to leave out Father Christmas.) And what is Bacchus doing romping around in “Prince Caspian.” In fact, Lewis’s friend, J.R.R. Tolkien hated “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” because he thought Lewis had thrown together things from different traditions without good cause.
The author disagrees. He notes that a Lewis was a renowned scholar of medieval and Renaissance literature and was very precise thinker and writer, careful in his use of words. He also loved codes, and believed that a story must contain a unifying atmosphere . Some scholars have opined that the Narnia stories are linked to the seven virtues, while others say the unifying theme is the seven deadly sins. This author concludes that the unifying link is the seven medieval planets. In the Middle Ages, people thought the planets influenced people by affecting the air of Earth’s atmosphere. Thus, if a doctor could not explain an illness, he would probably say that it was caused by the influence in the air right now. And Italian doctor would say the influenza. Each planet exerted a different influence. “Lewis didn’t literally believe in the medieval planetary influences, he did think that the planets because of their traditional association were powerful symbols.” Jupiter is associated with “jollification,” the passing of winter, and with kingliness. “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” are filled with such references: Father Christmas, the passing of winter and the crowning of the children as kings and queens of Narnia.
Each of the other tales contains symbols related to a particular planet/ God. Mars in Prince Caspian; the Sun in the Voyage of the Dawn Treader, etc. It is a fascinating and very convincing treatise. This book is a more accessible and shorter version of the author’s doctoral dissertation,"Planet Narnia."
The author disagrees. He notes that a Lewis was a renowned scholar of medieval and Renaissance literature and was very precise thinker and writer, careful in his use of words. He also loved codes, and believed that a story must contain a unifying atmosphere . Some scholars have opined that the Narnia stories are linked to the seven virtues, while others say the unifying theme is the seven deadly sins. This author concludes that the unifying link is the seven medieval planets. In the Middle Ages, people thought the planets influenced people by affecting the air of Earth’s atmosphere. Thus, if a doctor could not explain an illness, he would probably say that it was caused by the influence in the air right now. And Italian doctor would say the influenza. Each planet exerted a different influence. “Lewis didn’t literally believe in the medieval planetary influences, he did think that the planets because of their traditional association were powerful symbols.” Jupiter is associated with “jollification,” the passing of winter, and with kingliness. “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” are filled with such references: Father Christmas, the passing of winter and the crowning of the children as kings and queens of Narnia.
Each of the other tales contains symbols related to a particular planet/ God. Mars in Prince Caspian; the Sun in the Voyage of the Dawn Treader, etc. It is a fascinating and very convincing treatise. This book is a more accessible and shorter version of the author’s doctoral dissertation,"Planet Narnia."
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