The Magician's Nephew is an AMAZING story on so many levels. There are so many imaginative, thought-provoking, funny, true moments in it. Really some great details about human character in it. And the Wood Between the Worlds! I know you're not a huge Narnia fan, whereas I *am* one, so you can take my enthusiasm with the appropriate grains of salt, but really, I think it's a very likeable story.