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Summary: A Classic Well Worth Rereading
Review: This is one of C. S. Lewis's science fiction trilogy composed of Out of the Silent Plant, Perelandra and That Hideous Strength. While they do not have to be read in that order, I suggest it for your greater appreciation. H. G. Wells, Arthur Clarke and their like have swayed us to the belief that extraterrestrials who are more intelligent than we are also evil and might wish us ill. Lewis calls our attention to the fact that we are the only race we know to be fallen and the reverse might be the truth: that the aliens may be the moral ones and we the criminals. Some of this insight inspired the movie 2001 even though it was based on a very pessimistic story by Clarke. Lewis puts his considerable imagination and his outstanding writing ability at the service of a theological, philosophical and humanistic view of the cosmos rare if not unique in the field of sci-fi, and for those reasons these books deserve more than one visit. My most recent -- possibly my fourth - reading was as enjoyable as my first. These books are easily understood by teens and can still give mature thinkers much food for thought. This first volume introduces the philologist Dr. Ransom, and describes his kidnapping to another world, his encounter with other species, his learning the language (Lewis has as much fun with language as J.R.R. Tolkien), and his coming to see reality through new eyes. While science has made some of his descriptions a tad dated, his insight survives the passage of years well. The final additions come as a bit anticlimactic; one has the sense he is answering the objections of some readers and throwing in a few details he ought to have included in the first place. But if you have bought into his vision they can entertain somewhat like the out-takes shown during the final credits of a film or TV show.
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Summary: Out of the Silent Planet
Review: This review is really being written by a student of Carolyn Wilhelm's, who is a fifth grade student at FAIR SCHOOL. She is using her teacher's e mail. OUT OF THE SILENT PLANET REVIEW Out of the silent planet is about a man named Ransom who is about forty years old. Ransom is kiddnapped and taken to a planet called Malacandra. Later, Ransom meets these friendly creatures called Hrossa. The Hrossa help Ransom find out what plants are edible, and where to find shelter. Ransom also learns the Hrossa language. There is a lot more that I could talk about, but I think you should read it yourself.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful narrative.
Review: I found this book hard to put down over the short span it was read in. Lewis' masterful words put the character's point of view in perfect context throughout the entire novel. And his subtle approach towards life beings on other planets made for a very believable/realistic adventure. I can't wait to get my hands on the next two books in the Trilogy.Read my other reviews for great Christian books + CDs.
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Summary: A Literaly Breathtaking Book!
Review: A great book! I really enjoyed the ride in the space ship. Through about half of the book, I felt like I was suffocating.
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Summary: A Great Beginning...
Review: "Out of the Silent Planet" is a great beginning to a great trilogy. We are introduced to the humble Dr. Ransom whom many critics believe is loosely based on Lewis's good friend John Ronald Ruel Tolkien (you know, J.R.R.). Lewis demonstates his deep imagination in his depiction of the three species of sentient beings that inhabit Mars. "Out of the Silent Planet" is great and worthy of five stars, but the true crown of the Space Trilogy is without a doubt the second book, Peralandra-- which contains descriptions of the the most beautiful place my mind has ever been transported to through literature. If you like Lewis' space trilogy, be sure to check out "Castle of Wisdom" by Rhett Ellis, a lesser known but deeply talented writer of Christian fantasy.
Rating:
Summary: A Classic Masterpiece!
Review: Out of the Silent Planet is a timeless work of art that has inspired millions. Lewis has intertwined a truly surreal adventure with a deep and meaningful message of peace and tranquillity. His writing is chock full of imagery and beauty. The words paint a picture in the mind so precise that Dali himself would have only wished he could have matched the greatness of this book with his palette. Dr. Ransom, the protagonist, is a very believable character. He and two other men, named Weston and Devine, crash land on the red planet with completely different intentions. Dr. Ransom, having been kidnapped, escapes his captors and embarks on a memorable adventure. Ransom uses very simple logic to learn the language of the native species and he interacts with the four races of Malacandria differently, creating a very interesting and awe-inspiring atmosphere. Lewis, as in his other series The Chronicles of Narnia, uses biblical stories and principals to create and allegory that keeps the reader guessing. The race of Eldil (an energy or spirit type being) offer wisdom and encourage Ransom during his stay on the planet while essentially balking Weston and Devine's petty quest to ransack the resources of the planet. The moral Lewis conveys is a simple, yet important one. Out of the Silent Planet is a diamond in the rough. It was written well before the recent conquest of space and the immanence of technology, so the imaginative view of what Lewis thought Mars might be like is very interesting. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series, which I've read, only gets better.
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Summary: Nowhere near Narnia
Review: Hey, C.S. Lewis actually wrote other stuff! Fancy that! For those who only know him as the author of those books with the big cat, the kids and the closet entrance into a fantasy world, he's got lots of other stuff out there. This is just one of those other works, I think the really only important SF work he ever did (it's actually the first part of a trilogy, but I think those are less SF). It's great fun, really, definitely reminds me of H.G. Wells in its calm tone when describing the utterly fantastic and impossible, except that Lewis has a slightly better gift of description to make up for his only slightly lack of imagination (but only when comparing him to Wells, mind you). Basically Dr Ransome winds up being kidnapped (really through no faunt of his own) by two others and winds up on a planet that turns out to be Mars. Ransome winds up meeting the local people and learning their ways while trying to survive and his sure scientific tone in the face of something hardly comprehendable is the bedrock on which this novel rests, no matter how afraid or excited he is, he stills displays an unwavering confidence in detail and exacting observations. Which makes the narration compelling in its subtle beauty of detail. The folks of Mars are interesting, a far cry from the warlike being of Wells' famed novel, and there's probably some overt commentary that I'm missing (Lewis was a devout follower of Christian beliefs and I think those color the other two books more than this one) but what the heck, it's fun and entertaining and that's what count. People tell me they don't like to read Lewis because he tends to be "preachy" and talks down, but there's nothing like that here. The trial scene towards the end with all the Martians is absolutely fascinating and complicated at the same time. The only overt Christian thing I found was the reference to Earth as the "silent" planet (ie. fallen), something which I think is developed more in the two books. But for me this has all the classic attributes of good old fashioned SF, a calm reasonable tone, the narrator's attention to science and detail, a general disregard for science if it gets in the way of a good story (we know Mars doesn't have people and it'd take a heck of a lot longer than twenty eight days to get there, but who cares . . . I'm not basing a scientific paper on it) and unreserved creativity. A fast read that'll probably stay with you, it's definitely worth a shot.
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Summary: good novel, abysmal typesetting
Review: I love the books, of course, but the hard backed version is chock full of spelling and punctuation errors. I refer to the editors tendency to confuse commas and appostrophes, and to stick appostrophes in by whim. You get the feeling the technician doing this was intoxicated! DO NOT buy this edition of the book -- repeat, try the paperbacks which are at least less expensive. The novels are outstanding, and you should read them.
Rating:
Summary: An amazing adventure.
Review: Once again, I have fallen in love with a book by C.S. Lewis. "Out of the Silent Planet" takes its place alongside "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe", "Till We Have Faces", "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader", "Mere Christianity", "The Great Divorce", "The Screwtape Letters", and "The Last Battle" as books Lewis has written that I believe everyone should read. I am astounded by Lewis' creative imagination. The planet of Malacandra is a profound idea expressed beautifully. I do not wish to go into too many details because discovery is the real joy in reading this book. However, I must say that Ransom is one of Lewis' most complex and compelling (if somewhat ambiguous) protagonists; and therefore...one of my favorites. I thoroughly enjoyed Out of the Silent Planet. I sincerely encourage you to acquire this book and read it. It is an amazing adventure.
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Summary: Too Dated for Me
Review: I believe C.S. Lewis wrote a masterpiece in the late 1930's, but it's hard to make a space travel piece about our solar system relevent for today. I was really hoping the "planet" they were going to was one of the moons of Neptune or something like that, but as a species we've just learned too much about Mars and have experienced too much real space travel for me to be excited about a book that guesses what both would be like, often incorrectly. Looking at it through 21st century eyes ruined most of the fun of the original work. When he thinks he's looking at the moon from space and finds it is really the earth I cringed. We learned many years after that, but still over 30 years ago, that the earth and moon look nothing alike and no one could make this mistake. Putting aside the science and forgetting it's a space trip, what does the work have to offer in an allegorical sense on the condition of mankind? Again I feel it is dated. When Lewis had written this book it was the era of the great powers when the sun never set on the British empire. From Africa to the Middle East to India to South East Asia all were under British rule simply because they felt it was their right to do so and the native cultures could not stop them. The Weston tie in to the British Empire attitude would have been apparent and very strong to the readship of the 1930's, but many changes have taken place. The destruction of World War II caused dramatic changes across the globe that saw the disintegration of the British empire and the view point of forced dominance that went along with it. So while I think this work is well done, I wish I could have read it 60 years ago instead of now. For works that last through time I much prefer the Chronicles of Narnia, his other great series, that still touches the lives of many today.
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