COMPANION TO NARNIA. by Ford, Paul F. Foreword by Madeleine L'Engle - 1980

San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1980. 315 pp, 9 1/2" H. B&w drawings, maps. "A complete, illustrated guide to the themes, characters, and events of C.S. Lewis's imaginary world." "Beginning anywhere - with a character, an object, an overview, a theme - readers can pursue a thread of inquiry as far as they wish with this simple-to-use, comprehensive system of cross-references. No matter how familiar you may be with the saga of Narnia, this magical 'Companion' will lead you to a fuller understanding and appreciation of the treasures - hidden as well as overt - enriching these now-classic tales. Paul Ford brings careful scholarship and contagious enthusiasm to his research. He examines classical, scriptural, and literary references; unearths the origins of crucial terms and concepts; and provides insight into the symbolic and thematic threads that amplify and unify the series. Ford is also able to shed light on the influence of events in C.S. Lewis's life upon the composition of the 'Chronicles' - for example, the curious matter of the 'disappearance' of the Dark Island in the differing British and American editions of 'Voyage of the Dawn Treader'. The thoughtful, informative, lively entries invite casual perusal while affording the serious student a refreshing and satisfying key to what has been termed 'the allusive subtext' of the seven books - that valuable substrata of psychological, philosophical, and spiritual ideas that inform and enhance these stories." Very small stain on fore-edge of text block, small bump at top edge of spine, very small remainder mark (red star) and very tiny dent on bottom of text block. Dust jacket is price-clipped, has edge wear at top/bottom of spine and flap-folds - very light edge wear elsewhere, one very small edge tear with crease, protected in a paper-backed mylar sleeve.. First Edition. Hard Cover. Very Good/Very Good -. Illus. by Lorinda Bryan Cauley..