Back in 2001, HarperCollins made quite a stir when it considered adding books to the Chronicles of Narnia series. There were even rumors that they were going to “de-Christianize” the books as new editions of the original books were published.* Consultation with the Lewis estate apparently nixed any plans for extending the series, but the whole affair emphasized the sensitivity of fans to accepting anything new – at least anything “official.”
A few years later, in 2005, when The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe was about to come out on film, The Dancing Lawn, the message board of NarniaFans.com, came into existence. This was a great place for fans of the Chronicles to gather, communicate, and create “unofficial” stories about Narnia – which apparently aren’t nearly so controversial.
The Dancing Lawn is co-administered by John Burkitt and Roger Thomas, who also contribute to the website NarniaHome.com. Their website hosts full-length stories (books, really) based on the Chronicles, which they and Joseph Ravitts have written.
John’s first book, Byron on Wells, is a 563-page work (available in PDF format) which tells of the adventures of Narnian river-dwellers during the relative peace of Caspian X’s reign.
Although most fans of Narnia are content to let the seven books written by C S Lewis define what that world is, there is often a desire to know more. The movies have been somewhat satisfying in showing what Narnia looks like. It is hard to re-read the books without scenes from the movies popping into your head.
Burkitt has taken this a step further. Lewis’s books give us a basic concept of what Narnia is like, but how would this translate into everyday life? What would it be like to be a Talking Animal? Many fans have found Burkitt’s imagination a satisfying addition to what Lewis wrote.
Of course, everyone who has enjoyed the Chronicles brings to them their own imagination and personal experiences, so many may find what Burkitt has written to be a bit skewed from Lewis’s vision. For instance, would Narnians have vicars? Given the differences in the history of Narnia and our own world, this seems rather unlikely.
Some may also find the voluminous Byron on Wells a bit tedious, especially after the relatively succinct stories that make up The Chronicles of Narnia. For such readers, it would be better to begin with Burkitt’s books which are earlier in Narnia’s history. These are especially interesting to those wanting more details about Narnia and traveling to other worlds.
The Casket of Baktar tells how artifacts were saved from Atlantis before it disappeared, and the history of how some of them ended up in Uncle Andrew’s possession. Heart of Ice tells of how the White Witch came to power, and The Journey is the story of the Free Narnia resistance during the 100 years winter.
NarniaHome and the books are a not-for-profit labor of love started by John Burkitt as a tribute to C S Lewis and the help the Chronicles were in his personal life during some hard times. When asked about any copyright issues the books have raised, John responded in an e-mail (used by permission).
I once did a limited release of Byron on Wells using on-demand printing for some of my fans. You are right about copyright issues…if I sold the works commercially it would be an infringement on the estate of C. S. Lewis, something not only legally risky but also morally abhorrent to me….
With very little effort I could divest the Byron on Wells series of all references to Narnia and sell it commercially. However I made the decision not to do this because it is my repayment to the legacy of C. S. Lewis, whose works have literally saved me in the past during great adversity. It is a gift, a donation, a freewill offering. I sincerely hope you will review Byron on Wells because I believe there are people out there who could benefit from its positive messages on the importance of friends, family, and faith.
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* HarperCollins’ official statement (June 2001) about the controversy has been published on several websites, including TheStoneTable.com.
The goal of HarperCollins Publishers and the owners and managers of the C.S. Lewis Estate is to publish the works of C.S.Lewis to the broadest possible audience, and to leave any interpretation of the works to the reader. The works of C.S. Lewis will continue to be published by HarperCollins and Zondervan as written by the author, with no alteration. Zondervan’s editorial standards and Christian mission has not changed in any way.
For more information, see the following:
USA Today (September 2001): ‘Narnia’ won’t write off Christian values
ChristianityToday.com Editorial (August, 2001): Aslan Is Still on the Move
NarniaHome.com Main Features (links to PDF copies of the books)
NarniaHome.com About Us
The Dancing Lawn - Official Forums of Narnia Fans
Typos fixed 26October, 2009.
October 27th, 2009 at 4:50 pm
I’ve been reading Byron on Wells stories for a couple years now on The Dancing Lawn, and as a long-time adult fan of the Chronicles I can say: John’s stories are enchanting! They’re the next best thing to having more Chronicles, which is what all Narnia fans want. John understands the “magic” of Narnia and gives us great insights, not just into the place and its “people,” but into life itself. Thanks for telling more people about Byron on Wells!
October 28th, 2009 at 5:11 am
Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment, Jaxy. I think you are right that John gives insights into “life itself.” I was glad to be able to share this.