Rating: 
Summary: Ranks with the best of good versus evil fiction
Review: As author of Project 314, I have a deep appreciation for the way that Lewis pits good vs. evil. In his space trilogy, Lewis ranks with Stephen King (The Stand), and Tolkien's ring series in the way that he reaches deeply into his imagination to allegorize the moral dilemma of man. From a scientific standpoint he is ahead of his time. Imagine Lewis' amazement at the way we keep bodies alive today!
Rating:
Summary: Pugnacious ending to a fine trilogy
Review: C. S. Lewis wraps up his "Space Trilogy" right back on planet Earth where it is up to a cadre of ordinary folks, mythical beings, and brute beasts to thwart the forces of supreme wickedness. With the assistance of the Director--a man familiar to readers of the previous two books in the trilogy--this strange collection of characters is pitted against a vaguely-familiar, propaganda-driven totalitarian regime ironically called by the acronym NICE. This book is Lewis at his satirical best--an uppercut landed to the jaw of secular, anti-family, "post-christian" society. What is particularly striking about this book is who Lewis fingers as the advance-guard for the evil that sadly dominates on Earth, ever trying to extend its power: a bunch of place-seeking, ethics-free, jive-talking academics who have long left any pretense to reason and science behind. Instead, they are driven by a misguided altruism that manifests itself, ultimately, as complete misanthropy. In this regard, Lewis must be regarded as prescient. Anyone who has spent any time in American academia will immediately sympathize with the plight of the characters in the book who *dare* to stand up to the censorial, elitist, marxist/leninist, anti-religion, pro-death agenda so prevalent among the "progressive" leadership of the university. Lewis had these people's number fifty years ago. In short, this book is a fun read and though couched in humorous terms, is deadly serious at its core.
Rating:
Summary: Pugnacious ending to a fine trilogy
Review: C. S. Lewis wraps up his "Space Trilogy" right back on planet Earth where it is up to a cadre of ordinary folks, mythical beings, and brute beasts to thwart the forces of supreme wickedness. With the assistance of the Director--a man familiar to readers of the previous two books in the trilogy--this strange collection of characters is pitted against a vaguely-familiar, propaganda-driven totalitarian regime ironically called by the acronym NICE. This book is Lewis at his satirical best--an uppercut landed to the jaw of secular, anti-family, "post-christian" society. What is particularly striking about this book is who Lewis fingers as the advance-guard for the evil that sadly dominates on Earth, ever trying to extend its power: a bunch of place-seeking, ethics-free, jive-talking academics who have long left any pretense to reason and science behind. Instead, they are driven by a misguided altruism that manifests itself, ultimately, as complete misanthropy. In this regard, Lewis must be regarded as prescient. Anyone who has spent any time in American academia will immediately sympathize with the plight of the characters in the book who *dare* to stand up to the censorial, elitist, marxist/leninist, anti-religion, pro-death agenda so prevalent among the "progressive" leadership of the university. Lewis had these people's number fifty years ago. In short, this book is a fun read and though couched in humorous terms, is deadly serious at its core.
Rating:
Summary: One of the great 20th-century dystopias
Review: C.S. Lewis proves here that he could have been the century's greatest novelist, had he ever attempted anything outside of genre fiction. Brilliant social commentary, perfect character studies, and a litany of Lewis' pet peeves (everything from postmodernism, feminism and sociology to vivisection and clear-cutting) are only some of the reasons to read this book. It's also entertaining, though odd (and some of the fantasy elements don't mix well).
Rating: 
Summary: Complete drek
Review: Don't waste your time on this unmittigatedly boring tripe. If you truly want to have your mind and soul stimulated, read something more challenging, like Glenn Kleier's THE LAST DAY. Now that novel will keep you up biting your nails and hanging on for the stunning conclusion. LAST DAY has substance where STRENGTH has none.
Rating: 
Summary: Strong start
Review: For the first half, at least, it is an absorbing look at the lure of power and the ever-unfolding "Inner Ring" (see that essay in the Weight of Glory compilation). Wither in particular is a chilling entity, one of the great characterizations. The novel lost me later on when it explained too much about Belbury, and then simultaneously confused me with the (far) less interesting goings on at St. Anne's. Here is a novel crying out to be excised and adapted into a great film, but alas, who is out there to film it? Speaking generally, Hollywood is unqualified to do anything but make a mess of it.
Rating:
Summary: This book could be a mirror
Review: Hidden in this excellent science-fiction novel is a startling look at our own society. I found myself discovering parallels to my own experience with "N.I.C.E." institutions such as major American universities and the like. A fascinating and frightening read. You'll want a good chair for this one -- let it sink in and experience it fully.
Rating: 
Summary: Very disapointing
Review: I am a huge fan of most of C.S. Lewis' work. I had to force myself to finish this one. His view of life (esp in regard to the main female character) was SO offensive and sexist, I threw the book across the room several times. I wish I had never read it so I did not know how far his views on women and there place went. I guess according to him the largest sin of a women is to be independent and get a job. Give me a break.
Rating:
Summary: The Best C.S. Lewis Novel--EVER
Review: I find it astounding to read that someone thought this was the weakest of the Space Trilogy, it was the only one of the books I could even get through. And I loved it, I re-read it every couple of years. As much as I loved the Narnia books this one is grown-up fun
Rating:
Summary: One of my "all-time" favorite books
Review: I have been a life-long C.S. Lewis fan, and first tackled this book when I was probably about 12, returning to it often throughout the years (I am now 32). One of my favorite passages concerns the descent of the Eldila (especially Jupiter) into St. Anne's, although I thoroughly enjoyed the work as a whole. It can be a bit slow-going in parts, and definitely is "British" in numerous of its references, but all in all it's a great end to the series and a very instructive and entertaining story. Two quick comments here: an earlier reviewer wondered why Merlin was necessary and couldn't anyone have taken his role upon themselves. Lewis writes in the book how Merlin was needed because in life he had opened himself to the influence of spiritual powers in a way others hadn't, and that "opening" was what made him uniquely suited to the needs of the situation in the novel. As to the other reviewer's comments about Lewis not knowing a thing about women, and his views on contraception, it would seem that a fairer statement would be that Lewis' views did not correspond to the reviewer's, rather than a condemning statement about his views. I say this especially since I know many women who have absolutely no problem whatsoever with the views Lewis articulates in the book. Happy reading to all!
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