C.S. Lewis’s first Narnia book, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, was published in 1950.
The novel appeared in London on 16 October 1950, published by Geoffrey Bles. It introduced readers to the magical land of Narnia through the Pevensie children, who enter it through a wardrobe while staying in an English country house during the Second World War.
Although it was the first Narnia book published, some modern editions arrange the series in internal chronological order and place The Magician’s Nephew first. That later-created reading order can cause confusion about publication history. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe remains the opening publication in the series.
The book established major recurring elements of Lewis’s fantasy world, including Aslan, the White Witch, talking animals, and the conflict between winter and spring. Its success led to six further Narnia books, published between 1951 and 1956.