A presequel or part of the series?

[Herenya]

I had a big argument with my brother this morning over whether The Magician's Nephew was a presequel or part of the series.

I think its part of the series - it's definately one of the chronicles of Narnia! - because its essentially really no different to any of the other books. Its not like the rest are all set during a particular time or about a particular group of characters and all follow on from each other - they differ, just like the Magician's Nephew differs, and are all complete stories on their own.
However my brother views it as a presequel, because its about the creation of Narnia, and a lot of it is not actually set in Narnia or even in its world (unlike the others, which are all our world/Narnia), and it is set quite a while in the our-world time, compared to the others.

I still say that it is a series because the author says it is! - but I was wondering what you all thought. Also, would you recommend to friends that they read this book first, or another one? So what does that make it...?

[Luthien of Narnia]

I agree that it is part of the series, as Lewis did put them all together. Plus, it shows the beginning of Narnia, which ties directly to the LWW. They go nicely in order, and I liked knowing the origins of the wardrobe, as well as Jadis. Yet if my friend was just starting to read CoN, and was not a big fan or reader, I would tell them to start with LWW. Not only is it a bit easier to follow, but also can stand alone without reading an extra book.

One book that I found slightly out of place was HaHB, which really seemed to interrupt the story of the young children by showing them as adults, and introducing two kids you never see again. Although it is nice to see the Pevensies as kings and queens, and the story is good, it alway felt a little odd to me.

[DLF]

I like TMN. I just do. I think it's partly because I always liked Professor Kirke, with his insistence upon logic, and you just love him even more when you find out that he was there, too. I like it because it's really the only one of the seven that doesn't need anything read before or after it to complete it, and yet, if you've read the other six, you find, not just threads tying it to the other stories, but great thick ropes: Jadis, is a huge rope, and the silver-apple-tree is another one, and the creation of Narnia.

But I agree that with Luthien: I would probably reccomend LWW first.

[Gwenneth]

*Agrees with everyone else*

Though the Magician's Nephew sort of sets things up for LWW, it's still part of the series. It's actually very similar to the others in that it's a story. Yeah, it shows the creation of Narnia, and shows the Professor as a child, but it's a story with all of the same features as the other books.
Does that make any sens?

[And I also think that MN is experienced better when already having LWW under your belt.]