The Horse and his Boy

The Race to Warn Narnia

The Horse and His Boy is the fifth published book in C.S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia series, though chronologically, it is set during the reign of the Pevensie children (Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy), the period covered in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Published in 1954, the novel is an exciting, standalone tale of adventure, espionage, and self-discovery, set largely outside of Narnia itself, in the southern, arid land of Calormen.

From Slave to Free Man

The story is centered on Shasta, a young boy who believes he is the son of a poor Calormene fisherman, and Bree, a talking horse who was born in Narnia but was captured and enslaved in Calormen. When Shasta learns he is about to be sold into slavery, he seizes the opportunity to escape with Bree, who is desperate to return to the free country of Narnia.

On their journey north, they meet Aravis, a young Calormene noblewoman fleeing an arranged marriage, and her talking horse, Hwin. The four unlikely companions form a bond of necessity and eventually, friendship. Their escape turns into a critical mission when they overhear the military plans of the Calormene Prince Rabadash, who intends to launch a surprise attack on Narnia and the neighboring country of Archenland. The rest of the novel is a tense, desperate race across the desert to warn the Narnian allies before it is too late.

Themes of Destiny, Providence, and Identity

This book is a deep exploration of Lewis's concepts of divine guidance and the revelation of true identity:

• Providence and Guidance: Throughout their arduous journey, the travelers are repeatedly aided, saved, or guided by a mysterious, powerful force. This force is eventually revealed to be Aslan, who appears to Shasta and reveals that every misfortune and encounter on his path was necessary to bring him to his true destiny. This theme highlights Lewis's belief in a benevolent guiding hand, even in times of suffering.

• True Identity: Both Shasta and Aravis are running away from false lives. Shasta gradually realizes that his destiny is far grander than that of a poor fisherman's son, eventually leading to a dramatic revelation about his true parentage and his place in the world.

• Freedom and Slavery: The contrasting values of Narnia (freedom, joy, and truth) and Calormen (hierarchy, tyranny, and strict social convention) are starkly drawn. The horses' desperate longing for their homeland serves as a powerful metaphor for spiritual freedom.

The novel is a unique and thrilling addition to the series, emphasizing that Aslan's love and influence extend far beyond the borders of Narnia itself.