THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE

This production of C.S. Lewis’s classic is top-notch from start to finish. Listeners will be absorbed from the story’s introduction to its triumphant end. Excellent interplay between dialogue and narration brings Lewis’s story to life, and well-selected sound effects add depth: You can feel Narnia unfurl around you with the sounds of creaking doors, crackling fires, and sleigh bells. Most astonishing of all is the ability of the four children acting the main parts. Individually their voices are engaging and precise; together they work seamlessly to produce real dialogues with perfect timing and fully realized characters. A word of warning: This production is so strong that the witch is frightening and Aslan’s sacrifice truly chilling. Parents should listen to help their children through the scary parts; they too will be richly rewarded by this classic tale. J.C.G. © AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB/ MAR 04]