Once Upon a Wardrobe by Patti Callahan is this week’s Reader Friday. Here’s the first line of this Ama-zing book!
December 1950
Worcestershire, England
George Henry Devonshire is only eight years old and he already knows the truth.
Oh, my goodness this is one good book! I’ll definitely be reading Patti Callahan’s other books. But now the photo and verse.
I love my lantana because it draws butterflies and hummingbirds! And this is a verse that I know is true. Only God can give true peace.
Now for Once Upon a Wardrobe by Patti Callahan. Here’s the cover and back copy:
College student Megs Devonshire sets out to fulfill her younger brother George’s last wish by uncovering the truth behind his favorite story. What transpires is a fascinating look into the bond between siblings and the life-changing magic of stories.
1950: Margaret Devonshire (Megs) is a seventeen-year-old student of mathematics and physics at Oxford University. When her beloved eight-year-old brother asks Megs if Narnia is real, logical Megs tells him it’s just a book for children, and certainly not true. Homebound due to his illness, and remaining fixated on his favorite books, George presses her to ask the author of the recently released novel The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe a “Where did Narnia come from?”
Despite her fear about approaching the famous author, who is a professor at her school, Megs soon finds herself taking tea with C. S. Lewis and his own brother Warnie, begging them for answers.
Rather than directly telling her where Narnia came from, Lewis encourages Megs to form her own conclusion as he shares the little-known stories from his own life that led to his inspiration. As she takes these stories home to George, the little boy travels farther in his imagination than he ever could in real life.
After holding so tightly to logic and reason, her brother’s request leads Megs to absorb a more profound “The way stories change us can’t be explained. It can only be felt. Like love.”
My Take:
Once Upon a Wardrobe by Patti Callahan. is another book I read because of my church bookclub and I will not soon forget it, if ever. This book will touch your heart and make you laugh as well. To put it simply–I loved it.
Parts of the story are told through another story, one that Megs tells her brother, George, who has a bad heart. It’s set in England in the early 1950s as well as the early years of C. S. Lewis and his brother, Warnie. Both settings are so interesting. And the story will not let you go and after the end, you’ll want more.
I loved watching the relationship between Megs and Padriag grow and also watching Megs learn that there was more to life than numbers. Also the parts about C. S. Lewis and his brother and Tolkien and the Inklings was fascinating. I can’t say enough good things about this book and I hope you’ll read it.
Now I have to read Becoming Mrs. Lewis…
So, Readers, what are you reading this week. Leave the first line in the comments and I’ll enter you in a July drawing for a book from my library. Or, have you ever read The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe?
Once Upon a Wardrobe by Patti Callahan is this week's Reader Friday. What are you reading? Leave your 1st line in the comments on my blog and I'll enter you in a drawing for a book from my library. Share on X
Discover more from Patricia Bradley
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Comments 31
Yes, I read the The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. I also the movie too.
Author
I have to read that book, Diana!
Oo, I think I would love Once upon a Wardrobe. It sounds great!
I’m reading a gritty Amish murder mystery Christian novel by R.F. Whong called The Center of Enigma. It’s told from a Chinese-American point of view and is so unique! The POV character is from a big city. The first line: I didn’t like small towns.
Author
I’ll add that one to my reading list, Priscilla!
I forgot to say, I love the verse you chose today. It’s one of my favorites and grounds me when I get to worrying about things.
Author
I’m repeating it several times a day lately, Priscilla. 🙂
One of my favorite verses and a beautiful photo. I’ve read The Lion, the Witch, & the Wardrobe and the rest of the series. I’m currently reading Between the Sound and the Sea by Amanda Cox.
Author
Lucy, I have all his books on my Kindle, but haven’t had time to read them…
Great photo and verse. I have read the Narnia books and others by Lewis.
My first line comes from A new contemporary book releasing in September by Elizabeth Camden. I started it yesterday. Summerlin Groves: “ ‘There’s a dead body in the West field’, Hemmingway said.”
Author
Love that first line, Paula. I’ll have to check it out!
Pat, I love your photo and choice of verse. Lantana is one of my favorite bushes, too. With their colors and drought tolerance, they are perfect for the desert, and those butterflies and humming birds are an extra bonus.
I can’t remember reading “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe”, but I’ve seen the movie a couple of times, and loved it. You definitely have me hooked to read “Once upon a Wardrobe”. You got me with the student majoring in physics and math, for sure.
I’m currently reading “One Last Promise” by Susan May Warren; a book in the Alaska Air Rescue series. The first line is “It was time to tell London the truth.” Great plot, and great characters! Susan does know how to weave a thriller.
Author
I thought you might like the student majoring in physics and math, Edward!
A delightful photo, Pat…and the verse says it all! Amen!
That was an excellent review, Pat. Once Upon a Wardrobe now has me intrigued. I’ve read The Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe twice and have tried to read the Nadia books several times. I never could get into them. However, your review has given me a push to try one more time.
I’m still behind in my reading and on the same book for the third week. Where does the reading time go????
Author
My reading time is zilch lately, Barbara. Not sure if I’ll have one read by next week…I haven’t read any of Lewis’ books except The Screwtape Letters and really loved it.
I am reading What We Hide. I am so glad I went to the book signing and got these great books.
Author
Me, too, Judy! I have Cindy’s book up next or Denise’s…not sure which or when, though. 🙂
Wonderful verse! The photo speaks peace.
I have never read The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Should I read Lewis’ books before reading this one? It sounds interesting.
I’m reading Into the Fire by Irene Hannon. I’m fairly certain someone already shared the first line months ago. It seems I’m either reading a book before release or a number of months after. While taking it easy after getting a pacemaker implanted, I’m trying to catch up on some reading between naps.
Here’s the first line: Fire was cleansing. Sacrificial, almost.
Author
You don’t have to read The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe first–I haven’t read it although I’ve always meant to and I’m sure I will since reading this book. 🙂 And take care of yourself! The pacemaker will probably make you have more energy!
Another awesome photo and verse, Pat!
Enjoyed The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and Once Upon a Wardrobe sounds interesting.
I am reading Cold Pursuit by Susan Sleeman. “Whitney’s mind spun frantically. Take the children. Run. Now. Fast. Far.”
Edward, praying for great success and relief of symptoms with your pacemaker!
Pat, also praying your friend with the hip fracture is recovering steadily. I have had two hip fractures and while it does require time and effort, a full recovery is possible.
Author
Thanks, Mary G. We are progressing slowly. Maybe one day he can sit up in the bed…
I loved Cold Pursuit by Susan Sleeman! I think I reviewed it, but maybe not…she writes so many and so fast. 😉
I am pretty sure that I have Once Upon a Wardrobe on my Kindle. I have watched the movie, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and my kids read the books as well.
Edward, prayers for you.
November 2005
Swan Quarter, North Carolina
The old woman observed the young boy kicked back in the adjacent recliner, his face practically glued to that tiny screen, as it had been since his visit began.
Between the Sound and Sea by Amanda Cox
Author
Amanda’s books sounds really intriguing, Gloria! I think you’d enjoy Once Upon a Wardrobe!
“How many times in life could a boy say he was risking his neck, doing the very last thing he’d expected. . .for a girl?” This is the first line from the book I’m currently reading, The British Booksellers by Kristy Cambron. I know I’ve watched The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe movie but can’t remember for sure if I’ve read the book.
Author
Hi Pam! Your book sounds great. I haven’t read The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe yet or seen the movie.
I have read The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and loved it
Author
I must. That’s all there is to it, Shelia!
Beautiful picture. Thanks for sharing your review.
Author
Thanks, Megan!
I read The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe to my high school English class several years ago. It was a fascinating journey 🙂
My current read is “Bookshop by the Sea” by Denise Hunter-“Eleven months had not been enough to prepare Sophie Larson for the sight of him.”
Author
I have Denise’s latest book…will be glad when I get a chance to read it, Heather.
Hank Adler was dead. Murdered. One fatal bullet to the chest. – Unravelling Killer Secrets by Shannon Redmon