"The Talisman" is a fantasy novel written by Stephen King and Peter Straub. Published in 1984, the book follows the journey of a young boy named Jack Sawyer who embarks on a quest to find a mystical item called the Talisman in order to save his mother's life. The story begins with Jack living in New Hampshire with his mother, Lily. However, Lily becomes gravely ill, and Jack soon discovers that the only way to save her is to find the Talisman, which is a powerful object that can heal or destroy. Jack learns that the Talisman exists in a parallel world called the Territories, and so he sets off on a dangerous and extraordinary adventure. Throughout the novel, Jack travels through various realms, encountering both allies and enemies along the way.
Lewis dedicated the first book to his goddaughter Lucy Barfield and gave her name to the fictional Lucy Pevensie, who—with her siblings Peter, Susan, and Edmund—figures as a character in the series. Most Lewis scholars agree that it is preferable to read the books in order of publication. They were originally illustrated by Pauline Baynes. Books from the series have also been adapted several times for radio, television, stage, and film productions.
When Lucy returns to Narnia with her three siblings, they help the great lion Aslan the form in which the Son of God usually appears in Narnia defeat the White Witch and free Narnia from her power. The other six books recount further adventures in Narnia and develop Lewis s fantasy world, which is full of detail and atmosphere, populated with animals such as beavers, mice, and wolves , creatures from Germanic and classical mythology giants, dwarfs, centaurs, unicorns, fauns, dryads, and numerous others , made-up beings such as the one-footed Dufflepuds or Duffers and the tall, web-footed Marsh-wiggles, and children visiting from their everyday world.
Throughout the novel, Jack travels through various realms, encountering both allies and enemies along the way. He also discovers that he possesses a special ability called "flipping," which allows him to shift between the real world and the Territories. This power becomes crucial in his quest for the Talisman.
The Chronicles of Narnia
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Peter J. Schakel received his B.A. from Central College in Iowa and his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In 1969 he began teaching at Hope College, where he is the Peter C. and Emajean Cook.
Peter Schakel Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaEncyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Oct 10, 2023 • Article History Table of ContentsThe Chronicles of Narnia, a series of seven children’s books by C.S. Lewis: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (1950), Prince Caspian (1951), The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (1952), The Silver Chair (1953), The Horse and His Boy (1954), The Magician’s Nephew (1955), and The Last Battle (1956). The series is considered a classic of fantasy literature and has influenced many other fantasy works.
Lewis dedicated the first book to his goddaughter Lucy Barfield and gave her name to the fictional Lucy Pevensie, who—with her siblings Peter, Susan, and Edmund—figures as a character in the series. Most Lewis scholars agree that it is preferable to read the books in order of publication. They were originally illustrated by Pauline Baynes. Books from the series have also been adapted several times for radio, television, stage, and film productions.
Britannica Quiz Classic Children’s Books QuizIn The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe the young Lucy goes through the back of a wardrobe into Narnia, an imaginary land ruled by a tyrannical White Witch who has made it, as one character explains, “[a]lways winter and never Christmas.” When Lucy returns to Narnia with her three siblings, they help the great lion Aslan (the form in which the Son of God usually appears in Narnia) defeat the White Witch and free Narnia from her power. The other six books recount further adventures in Narnia and develop Lewis’s fantasy world, which is full of detail and atmosphere, populated with animals (such as beavers, mice, and wolves), creatures from Germanic and classical mythology (giants, dwarfs, centaurs, unicorns, fauns, dryads, and numerous others), made-up beings such as the one-footed Dufflepuds (or Duffers) and the tall, web-footed Marsh-wiggles, and children visiting from their everyday world. Living, through the imagination, in the idyllic, pastoral Narnia is part of the appeal of the stories for children and adults.
The stories also appeal widely because of their mythical qualities—the way they deal with the marvelous and supernatural, exploring basic issues of existence, such as origins, endings, meaning, and purpose. And they appeal, at least to some readers, because of their connections with Christianity. Lewis said frequently, in essays and letters, that he did not intend the stories to be allegories and did not regard them as such. He preferred thinking of them as “supposals.” Thus he wrote to a fifth-grade class in Maryland, “Let us suppose that there were a land like Narnia and that the Son of God, as He became a Man in our world, became a Lion there, and then imagine what would happen.” Some episodes in the Chronicles are reminiscent of biblical narrative and imagery, such as Aslan’s dying in Edmund’s place in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, the creation of Narnia in The Magician’s Nephew, and the scenes in the heaven of the new Narnia in The Last Battle. But Lewis was not trying just to retell Bible stories in a different setting. Rather, he was telling new stories of the biblical type—a new creation story, a new sacrifice story. He was writing stories that he intended to stand on their own, as interesting adventure-filled narratives that would echo other stories, classical and Christian, and enrich the imaginative experiences of his readers.
The Chronicles of Narnia, a series of seven children’s books by C.S. Lewis: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (1950), Prince Caspian (1951), The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (1952), The Silver Chair (1953), The Horse and His Boy (1954), The Magician’s Nephew (1955), and The Last Battle (1956). The series is considered a classic of fantasy literature and has influenced many other fantasy works.
As Jack continues his journey, he faces numerous challenges and tests his courage and determination. He encounters creatures like werewolves, demons, and other supernatural beings, adding to the suspense and excitement of the story. Jack's relentless pursuit of the Talisman drives the narrative and keeps readers engaged. "The Talisman" is notable for its vivid and imaginative storytelling, as well as its blend of fantasy and horror elements. The collaboration of two acclaimed authors, Stephen King and Peter Straub, brings a unique and compelling flavor to the narrative. The characters are well-developed, and the intricate world-building adds depth to the story. Overall, "The Talisman" is a captivating adventure that explores themes of loyalty, love, and sacrifice. It takes readers on a thrilling journey through multiple dimensions, weaving a tale of bravery and determination. With its richly imagined world and memorable characters, this novel has become a beloved classic in the fantasy genre..
Reviews for "Reading Between the Lines: Subtext and Hidden Meanings in 'The Talisman"
1. Emily - 2/5 stars: I had high expectations for "The Talisman" as I had enjoyed other works by Peter Straub, but sadly, this book fell flat for me. The story felt disjointed and the characters were underdeveloped, making it difficult to become emotionally invested in their journey. The pacing was also inconsistent, with moments of intense action followed by long stretches of tedious descriptions. Overall, I found it hard to stay engaged with the plot and ultimately, felt let down by this novel.
2. Mark - 3/5 stars: While "The Talisman" had an interesting premise, I couldn't help but feel that it was unnecessarily long and meandering. The constant shift between various realities and dimensions made the narrative confusing at times. Additionally, the writing style, while descriptive, often felt too dense and weighed down the story. While there were certainly moments of excitement and intrigue, they were overshadowed by the book's overall lack of cohesion. I was left feeling unsatisfied and wishing for a more focused and concise plot.
3. Sarah - 2/5 stars: I found "The Talisman" to be a disappointing read. The characters lacked depth and struggled to evoke any emotional connection from me as a reader. The plot seemed to drag on with excessive detail and unnecessary tangents, making it difficult to maintain interest. The concept of parallel worlds had potential, but it felt poorly executed. Overall, I found the book to be a tedious and unsatisfying journey that failed to deliver on its promising premise.
4. John - 2/5 stars: As a fan of Peter Straub's other works, I was eager to delve into "The Talisman." Unfortunately, I found it to be a convoluted and confusing read. The constant jumping between multiple plot lines and dimensions made it difficult to follow and left me feeling detached from the story. The characters, while initially intriguing, lacked development and depth, making it hard to care about their fates. Overall, I was left disappointed and struggling to make sense of the disjointed narrative.