Narnia

I read _Out of the Silent Planet_ in my mid-teens and didn't like it. I knew C. S. Lewis wrote several acclaimed books,  but with so much else to read and not liking that one I avoided them. 

A couple of events changed that. In 1978 Steve Hackett released his album _Please Don't Touch!_ with the song "Narnia." I instantly fell in love with that song, and today have three versions on my computer. At roughly the same time (my memory is hazy so it could have been a few months before or after) I saw a painting in a small store which I occasionally frequented, near the University of Kentucky. The painting was of two girls with a huge lion. I learned it was a scene from the first Narnia book. I also learned the series had been reprinted in 1977, so the books were all available.

I bought and read all the books in the series. I liked some more than others, but I still own them all. However, I have not reread any of them. Neither have I watched the movies, though I have them on DVD.

It appears I like the concept of Narnia better than the realization. I still love that song, though.