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Summary: A new look at life as we know it.
Review: Upon reading this book I gained an alternitive view of alien races and a new way to think about such matters. Lewis takes us on an incredible journey to Mars and one cannot help but enjoy the way he does it. I recomend the second book in this series to anyone who has read the first. enjoy.
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Summary: Not exactly Narnia
Review: C.S. Lewis, best known for his fantasy series about Narnia - as well as his religious writings - tried his hand with science fiction with a trilogy of which Out of the Silent Planet is the first book.Unfortunately, this is an imperfect effort, hardly on the same level as Narnia. Somewhat a combination of Edgar Rice Burroughs and H.G. Wells, this story follows the adventures of Ransom, a professor who is kidnaped and taken to another planet where he encounters various intelligent alien races and tries to stay ahead of his human adversaries. This is not all as interesting as it sounds, primarily because Ransom is not a very interesting character and his main role seems to be as an observer. He reacts more than he acts. On the other hand, the aliens are somewhat intriguing, even if they are not as compelling as some other fictional aliens. I don't want to come off too harsh; even if the book is a bit stiff, it isn't bad. Also, it is only the first part of a trilogy, so this is not the complete story. For Lewis fans, this might be a worthwhile book, as long as they don't expect Narnia; for science fiction fans, however, this will probably come a bit short.
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Summary: Great Christian Allegory
Review: This book is a marvel for Christian readers. The power of fiction and fantasy worlds is in the idealistic viewpoint they provide. As Christians, we know from Scripture how the world is governed, and how we are to walk in it, but at times our vision gets clouded by constantly looking at our surroundings, and the depravity we see all around. But when we read novels with idealized settings such as in C.S. Lewis's space trilogy, we can more readily understand the fundamentals of joy, wonder, and awe at the world, under the governance of reverence for the creator. Out of the Silent Planet takes readers on a tour of what life would be like without the curse of the fall. The Malacandrian world is immensely beautiful and orderly, under the governance of Oyarsa, who submits to the Old One, God. The hnau, or inhabitants of the world, are so peaceful and innocent, and they offer abundant insights into proper conduct in life. I constantly found myself smiling as I saw the parallels between the various components of the book and Christian doctrine. Non-Christians will enjoy this book as well, of course. It is a fascinating story regardless of what you believe, although C.S. Lewis surely wrote it from a Christian worldview, and I appreciate on a deeper level since I'm a Christian.
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Summary: Brilliant
Review: This is one of many fabulous books by CS Lewis. It is fiction, but in an allegorical sense. It is the story of Dr. Random, a man who is kidnapped and taken to the planet of Malacandra. There he escapes his captors, and finds himself among a strange alien race. He lives among them for some time and learns their language and customs, including religious beliefs. He tries to teach them about Earth, but they cannot grasp the concepts of murder, greed, corruption, or any vice. In time, Ransom is summoned to appear before Oyarsa, who he thinks is a form of deity but turns out to be a kind of steward for the planet. In his charge is the care of Malacandra, and he insures that the three dominant races exist in peace. Ransom appears before him, and he explains that his intention is to know about "The Silent Planet," which Earth is called by all other planets. He explains to Ransom how they all live in harmony--each doing his share of the work. Their lives are simple, and thus very happy, but they also understand certain spiritual matters to a degree that baffles Ransom (they do not fear death, and don't grieve when someone dies). He explains that each planet has an Oyarsa, but that Earth's became "bent" (the Malacandrian word for bad or corrupt). When his former captors are brought before Oyarsa, one of them, Weston, makes a powerful speech threatening them with annihilation and boasting about the strength of his world. Ransom translates, but finds it impossible to express Weston's corrupt notions in the Malacandrian language. This is one of the most beautiful messages of the book. The Malacandrians can't even understand corruption, let alone be influenced by it. Their society is so simple, yet so pure, that they don't even have a way to express it. As Ransom explains in Malacandrian, Weston's noble intentions suddenly seem very corrupt when explained in such simple terms. Weston's claim that "our right to supercede you is the right of the higher over the lower" doesn't seem so convincing when Ransom translates it: "he says it would not be the act of a bent [being] if our people killed all your people." Of course, Oyarsa does not see his point of view. This example demonstrates the satirical brilliance which dominates the book. By creating a race that doesn't comprehend violence and vice, Lewis very successfully shows how ridiculous it is. The book is filled with thoughts like this, brilliantly woven into the story to create sheer masterpiece. If there is a work of fiction that shows CS Lewis' genius, this is it.
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Summary: Sci Fi for the Philosopher Man
Review: Despite respectful references to the legacy of H. G. Wells--acclaimed inventor of the modern sci fi genre--C.S.Lewis has chosen to forge his own stylistic trail through the perils of alien prose. This first book in a projected trilogy is set on
Malacandra; it's no secret that the destination is actually Mars. The story relates the amazing experiences (but few actual
"adventures") of Dr. Ransom. Kidnapped by two soundrel scientists, the mild-mannered fellow awakens on board a space vehicle, en route to another planet, where he will presumably be handed over to alien brutes as a human sacrifice. The tale progresses slowly and could just have easily been written in the first person, since all activity centers around the unlikely progagonist--a university professor of Philology (the study of Words). Expect many references to the British university system and countless chapters devoid of dialogue; narrative reigns supreme in this CSL novel, with extensive monologues or transliterations. The author's deep concentration on mythology
and man's role in the universe will invite readers into deeper realms of thought. The human psyche, as well as human physiognomy, mentality, morals and motivation form the object of intense scrutiny by way of comparison with the three major species on the planet. Dropping veiled hints about the danger of unbridled anthropomorphism, CSL forces his hero (and readers) to reexamine traditional views of man's inalienable right to propagate his seed throughout the galaxy. He questions our immediate reaction of horror at any and all alien life forms. Must they necessarily prove grotesque and brutal? Thinly-disguised references to the Judao-Chistian heritage may lead meditative readers to ponder space as some sort of Heaven, with
the creative blending of mythology and pre history; should man
accept a universal protector god-family as both rational and compassionate? Will Professor Ransom be held hostage for the human race or will he offer himself as living ransom in the future? There seems to be much "in a name" and exhaustive linguistic details in this Sci Fi novel. A thought-provoking book which was intended to entertain by more than mere action and dialogue, OUT OF THE SILENT PLANET drags on long beyond the exciting denouement. Definitley not in the Wells or Verne tradition, this read is sci fi for the philosopher, who may well wonder which of the two worlds deserves to be called "Silent."
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Summary: Excellent novel! 5-stars
Review: This story starts very dull. The first 3 or 4 chapters are enough to put man to sleep right on the spot. However from the time the protagonist lands on alien footing and his subsequent interaction with its denizens, more than make-up for the tedious introduction. Halfway through the novel the reader will be compelled to question veracity surrouding the notion of man's uniqueness amongst the heavens. But the greater surprise is of Mr. Lewis taking the dangerous step of showing Occidental man's brutal use of technology after discovering it. Hitherto probably not analogised in this particular manner, the story goes beyond that aggression, instead focusing on how any man who views our human race as being superior to life on earth can be labelled, justifiably so, as fanatic and dangerous.
Rating: 
Summary: Out of the Silent Planet
Review: Refreshing take on life in outer space. If there is life aout there this is what is is like. Once again C.S. Lewis hits the mark with a great book. This is a must read for any Sci-Fi fan or anyone who wants their assumptions challenged. I also highly recomend the Cronicles of Narnia, for all ages. I did not read them until I was an adult and I loved them!
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Summary: Malacandra
Review: Lewis has intelligently depicted a living Mars, in which everything, on account of the low gravity, has a recurrent upward growth. Thus, the mountains and species are tall and abnormally slender.The water is plentiful, but warm. The creatures live in relative peace. Dr. Ransom has himself been kidnapped by two scientists who, in turn, bring him to Mars-or, as they call it, Malacandra. The doctor escapes and finds kinship with the hrossi (themselves very like Chewbacka). He learns, vaguely, the history of the planet and the theology of the solar system. This includes nature spirits (elementals), creation, and cosmic angels - hinting at the Fall of Satan. The plot could have been more detailed. But then, this is only an introduction to the other two books. The greatness is in the descriptions of the mental states of the protagonist. Lewis had a unique way with words that rival Hemmingway or any other major novelist. The superior intellect of Lewis is obvious at the outset. At bottom, this is Christianity at work here. It becomes, I suspect, more blunt in the remaining volumes. As Lewis said, Christianity can easily be slipped into fiction without the reader knowing it. Lewis, however, is not so underhanded: he wants, very much, for the reader to see the Christian themes running through. At the tail end of the novel, we come close to seeing why Earth (i.e. Thulcandra) is the "silent" planet. I award this a little more than 4 stars.
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Summary: Science Fiction Purists, enter here:
Review: I very much enjoyed the mix of C.S. Lewis' ideas of human nature within a sci-fi purist setting. This is a work that should not be missed.
Rating:
Summary: Captivating
Review: If one is likely to read and love C.S.Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia, one cannot help but be equally satisfied, and in some ways more, with this book and the other two in the Space Trilogy (Perelandra, and That Hideous Strength). This book is told about a Dr. Ransom who is taken captive by two aquaintances (Weston and Divine)on Earth and flown by spaceship to Malacandra. It is here where Ransom flees with fear of what may happen to him in his captive's hands and their motives. Along the way he meets the most intreaging of creatures on the planet who will both pull you in and take you away. Wonderfully described and portrayed, C.S.Lewis gives the reader a gift of traveling to a new world full of seroni, hrossa, etc. Allowing for readers with an open mind, to learn and ponder new thoughts and ideas. Ransom through his stay on the planet, learns to face his fears and become a better human being while respecting the differences in others who are unlike himself. The characters and story are unforgetable. I highly recomend this book, and I can assure you will not be hesitant to pick up the second when through.
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