16 Across

NYT Daily • September 4, 2025

Fictional land of magic and talking animals

Answer:

NARNIA

Hint:

This enchanted realm is accessed through a wardrobe and ruled by a great lion, featuring battles between good and evil. It’s the setting for a famous series by C.S. Lewis.

Explanation:

This clue points to "Narnia," the enchanted world created by C.S. Lewis in The Chronicles of Narnia. It’s a place filled with magic, mythical creatures, and talking animals like Aslan the lion or Mr. Tumnus the faun. The name itself is now widely recognized in pop culture as shorthand for a fantastical realm, making it a straightforward answer for fans of the books or films. No wordplay here—just a direct reference to one of literature’s most famous imaginary lands.

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