Readalong Dates: 7th – 10th April 2025
Hashtag: #NarniaReadalong
Welcome back to Narnia! As part of our ongoing Chronicles of Narnia readalong, April’s spotlight is on The Horse and His Boy – a standalone tale set during the reign of the Pevensies in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. This beloved adventure follows a boy named Shasta and the talking horse Bree as they flee their lives in Calormen and uncover secrets that may change the course of Narnian history forever.
With vivid desert landscapes, hidden identities, daring escapes, and a deep dive into the world beyond Narnia, this readalong is the perfect excuse to revisit or discover one of the most underrated entries in the series.
Readalong Schedule: 7th – 10th April 2025
Day 1 – Chapters 1–3
- Instagram Challenge: Share your edition of The Horse and His Boy and introduce your readalong TBR!
- Discussion Question: What are your first impressions of Shasta and Bree? How does Lewis contrast their personalities early on?
Day 2 – Chapters 4–7
- Instagram Challenge: Share an aesthetic photo inspired by the desert journey.
- Discussion Question: How do Shasta’s encounters with Aravis and the city of Tashbaan begin to shift the story’s direction? What do you think of Aravis as a new character?
Day 3 – Chapters 8–11
- Instagram Challenge: Show your cosy reading corner or Narnia-inspired flatlay!
- Discussion Question: Bree struggles with pride and fear—how does that affect the journey? What are your thoughts on Aslan’s appearances during these chapters?
Day 4 – Chapters 12–15 (End)
- Instagram Challenge: Share your final thoughts using emojis only!
- Discussion Question: What did you think of the twist in Shasta’s identity? How does The Horse and His Boy connect with the wider Narnia world?
Book Club Discussion Questions
- New Perspectives on Narnia
Unlike other books in the series, this story is told almost entirely outside of Narnia. How does that shift in perspective impact the tone and scope of the narrative? - Themes of Identity and Destiny
How does Shasta’s journey reflect the theme of discovering one’s true identity? How does Bree’s struggle with self-worth complement this? - Aravis’ Growth
Aravis begins the story as prideful and somewhat arrogant. How does her development throughout the book challenge her world view? - Aslan’s Role
Aslan guides the characters’ fates from behind the scenes—often through fear or hardship. How do you interpret his actions in this story compared to other Narnia books? - Calormen Representation
How do you feel about Lewis’ depiction of Calormen as a setting and culture? What stands out, and how does it contrast with Narnia? - A Standalone Adventure
Though it features familiar faces, The Horse and His Boy is often considered a side story. Do you think it adds something essential to the Narnian canon?
Join the Readalong!
We’ll be sharing daily prompts and story updates on Instagram, Threads, and in our comments section! Be sure to use #NarniaReadalong and tag @UptownOracleBooks to join in with the community.
The Horse and His Boy is a fast-paced, deeply symbolic story that explores questions of identity, bravery, and destiny, perfect for spring reading as we move toward the final entries in the Chronicles of Narnia.
Ready to ride into Narnia again?
