Rating: 
Summary: Lewis's gift: Thought-provoking, well-written Christian Lit
Review: C. S. Lewis's series for adults (sadly, there are only three of these, not seven like THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA) combine the several elements that make of this phenomenal writer: scholar and literary critic, story teller, Christian, myth-maker, brilliant debater. Whether he is giving us a (what appears on the surface) an imaginative excursion into Mars, a psychological study of temptation, or a satiric novel which covers so intellectual, scholarly, and religious ground that it is about to burst at the seams, Lewis always maintains a very high level of deft analysis of our humanity and gives us myth so we may learn and benefit from it spiritually. The first will be the best for those readers looking for traditional SF, but make no mistake: Lewis took that genre and revolutionized it, incorporating theology into SF, which up to that time had not been done to such a successful degree, and as a result OSP is a very influential book in that regard.. His story is fundamentally Christian, yet most of its original reviews did not notice this fact. As for PERELANDRA, Lewis never gives us a better picture of the psychology of temptation and how we are all responsibilities for our actions. Only in THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS and TILL WE HAVE FACES does Lewis demonstrate such acute awareness about the foibles of man and how easy we can fall away or hide ourselves from God. THAT HIDEOUS STRENGTH incorporates social and political commentary, Arthurian mythology, religious elements, scholary elements, and an entire host of intellectual concerns that Lewis wanted to address. Conclusion? This series shows us the brilliance of a mind and the depths Christian fiction can obtain. For those Christians who wish the Christian fiction market could be more substantial and have such wide respect as secular literature, this series is a godsend, proving conclusively that Christianity can be approached from a logical, rational mind set and still be valid philosophically, exhibiting a most appropriate sense of wonder at God's majesty. Lewis was truly one of Christianity's greatest writers.
Rating:
Summary: Jack's (C.S.) Best Books
Review: C.S. Lewis has never written a useless word in his life. Every one of his books are amazing. This trilogy was the first books I read by Lewis and I fell in love right away. If you want a book you can't put down get this trilogy. Lewis' dream-filled vision of Mars and Venus are amazing and the detailed description of Bracton College is breath-taking. The intense action and parallelism to humanity and its strife will keep you enthralled. If you're a dreamer and your imagination runs wild, these books are for you! If there is a better writer in history, I've yet to find them.
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Summary: C.S. Lewis: The Space Trilogy
Review: C.S. Lewis' "Chronicles of Narnia" are rightly beloved by millions as a modern masterpiece of fantasy and as a gentle introduction to Christian theology as well. Not as well known, but just as deserving of a place on a discerning reader's bookshelf are his only works of science fiction, known collectively as the "Space Trilogy." Book One: Out of the Silent Planet
Dr. Elwin Ransom, a philologist and Cambridge college don, is on a walking tour of rural England when he is kidnapped by Devine, an old school acquaintance and Weston a physicist and taken to Malacandra via a spacecraft of Weston's invention. It's a second trip for Weston & Devine; they kidnap Ransom for what they believe is a human sacrifice required by the alien species called Sorns for their mythical god. Upon arrival, Ransom manages to escape, fleeing in panic from approaching Sorns. After escaping, Ransom discovers the Hrossa. Ransom makes a beginning of learning Hrossan speech (which is the lingua franca of Malacandra). He discovers the Eldila, non-corporeal beings which Ransom can hear, but not see. An Eldil messenger sends Ransom on a quest to meet Oyarsa, ruler of the Eldil and by definition of all Malacandra as well. While on his journey to Meldilorn, island home of the Eldil, Ransom's life is saved by a Sorn; he thus loses any remaining fear of human sacrifice. Ransom's meeting with Oyarsa, ruler of the Eldil is a lesson in the cosmology of Lewis' solar system. Each planet is ruled by an Eldil and they regularly communicate and roam the heavens - with the sad exception of Earth's Eldil, the "Bent One" who has disobeyed Maleldil the Young (the ruler of the Eldil). Weston and Devine are captured and brought before Oyarsa as well; He realizes that all three are "bent" or contaminated and requires they depart from Malacandra. Out of the Silent Planet is a Christian vision set within a science fiction framework. Maleldil is a God/Christ figure, Oyarsa an archangel and the Eldil angels. The Bent One, the Oyarsa of Thulcandra, is Lucifer who separated, not only himself, but all Earth as well from the rest of the solar system and by inference from God. Book Two: Perelandra
Perelandra is an analog of the Garden of Eden. The Bent One/Satan of Thulcandra sends his servant Weston to accomplish the downfall of its Adam and Eve, called the King and Queen. Ransom is send to Perelandra by Maleldil/God to defeat the designs of the Bent One. Ransom finds Perelandra a world covered by water, dotted by free-floating islands rich with animal life and plants. Little in the way of fixed land is to be found on Perelandra; in fact Maleldil's edict to Perelandra's King and Queen is that while they may visit these areas during the day, they may not spend the night. When Ransom first meets the Queen, she has been parted from her King when floating islands drift apart. Here, he and Weston battle for the Queen's soul. Weston, as Eden's serpent, attempts to persuade the Queen to violate Maleldil's edict and spend the night on fixed land. He beguiles her with stories of the women of Earth: "They are of a great spirit. They always reach out their hands for the new and unexpected good, and see that it is good long before the men understand it. Their minds run ahead of what Maleldil has told them. They do not need to wait for Him to tell them what is good, but know it for themselves as He does." Ransom himself is enthralled and comes to doubt his purpose on Perelandra. Finally, Ransom comes to the realization that he has been sent to Perelandra as Maleldil's physical tool, and he enters into single combat with Weston. Ransom triumphs in battle and the King and Queen are reunited with Ransom as a witness. Unlike the Garden of Eden, on Perelandra, temptation has been defeated and Satan has lost. God's original vision for Perelandran humanity may take flower. Book Three: That Hideous Strength
Certain progressives among the Fellows of Bracton College engineer the sale of Bragdon Wood (rumored to house the living body of Merlin, his body preserved from aging by magic) to N.I.C.E., the National Institute for Co-ordinated Experiments. N.I.C.E. is a sinister group of scientists researching use of technology to rule mankind. Merlin's magic powers would be immensely useful to N.I.C.E., so they acquire the land with the purpose of disinterring and reviving Merlin. The central characters are Mark Studdock, a Fellow in sociology at Bracton and his wife Jane, a research student. Their marriage is troubled. Mark is blindly ambitious and Jane a proto-feminist. She is also troubled by what appear to be growing psychic abilities resulting in dreams that reflect present and future events in the real world. Mark is duped into working for N.I.C.E. and Jane finds herself on the side of good, working with Ransom. Her newfound psychic powers serve to aid in the location of Merlin and also provide information about the machinations of N.I.C.E. Once discovered, Merlin's ancient wizardry, linked with the power of the Eldil, defeat the evil N.I.C.E. in a stunning (and bloody) climax. The central focus is the development of Mark and Jane from shallow modernists into decent, caring people. Through the narrative, they both come to realize what is wrong in both their marriage and their outlook on life. Mark, in particular has the longer road to travel; since he fell almost totally under the spell of evil. Lewis paints his conversion to good in a quite convincing manner, clearly showing his belief in redemption of the soul.
Rating:
Summary: C.S. Lewis: The Space Trilogy
Review: C.S. Lewis' "Chronicles of Narnia" are rightly beloved by millions as a modern masterpiece of fantasy and as a gentle introduction to Christian theology as well. Not as well known, but just as deserving of a place on a discerning reader's bookshelf are his only works of science fiction, known collectively as the "Space Trilogy." Book One: Out of the Silent Planet
Dr. Elwin Ransom, a philologist and Cambridge college don, is on a walking tour of rural England when he is kidnapped by Devine, an old school acquaintance and Weston a physicist and taken to Malacandra via a spacecraft of Weston's invention. It's a second trip for Weston & Devine; they kidnap Ransom for what they believe is a human sacrifice required by the alien species called Sorns for their mythical god. Upon arrival, Ransom manages to escape, fleeing in panic from approaching Sorns. After escaping, Ransom discovers the Hrossa. Ransom makes a beginning of learning Hrossan speech (which is the lingua franca of Malacandra). He discovers the Eldila, non-corporeal beings which Ransom can hear, but not see. An Eldil messenger sends Ransom on a quest to meet Oyarsa, ruler of the Eldil and by definition of all Malacandra as well. While on his journey to Meldilorn, island home of the Eldil, Ransom's life is saved by a Sorn; he thus loses any remaining fear of human sacrifice. Ransom's meeting with Oyarsa, ruler of the Eldil is a lesson in the cosmology of Lewis' solar system. Each planet is ruled by an Eldil and they regularly communicate and roam the heavens - with the sad exception of Earth's Eldil, the "Bent One" who has disobeyed Maleldil the Young (the ruler of the Eldil). Weston and Devine are captured and brought before Oyarsa as well; He realizes that all three are "bent" or contaminated and requires they depart from Malacandra. Out of the Silent Planet is a Christian vision set within a science fiction framework. Maleldil is a God/Christ figure, Oyarsa an archangel and the Eldil angels. The Bent One, the Oyarsa of Thulcandra, is Lucifer who separated, not only himself, but all Earth as well from the rest of the solar system and by inference from God. Book Two: Perelandra
Perelandra is an analog of the Garden of Eden. The Bent One/Satan of Thulcandra sends his servant Weston to accomplish the downfall of its Adam and Eve, called the King and Queen. Ransom is send to Perelandra by Maleldil/God to defeat the designs of the Bent One. Ransom finds Perelandra a world covered by water, dotted by free-floating islands rich with animal life and plants. Little in the way of fixed land is to be found on Perelandra; in fact Maleldil's edict to Perelandra's King and Queen is that while they may visit these areas during the day, they may not spend the night. When Ransom first meets the Queen, she has been parted from her King when floating islands drift apart. Here, he and Weston battle for the Queen's soul. Weston, as Eden's serpent, attempts to persuade the Queen to violate Maleldil's edict and spend the night on fixed land. He beguiles her with stories of the women of Earth: "They are of a great spirit. They always reach out their hands for the new and unexpected good, and see that it is good long before the men understand it. Their minds run ahead of what Maleldil has told them. They do not need to wait for Him to tell them what is good, but know it for themselves as He does." Ransom himself is enthralled and comes to doubt his purpose on Perelandra. Finally, Ransom comes to the realization that he has been sent to Perelandra as Maleldil's physical tool, and he enters into single combat with Weston. Ransom triumphs in battle and the King and Queen are reunited with Ransom as a witness. Unlike the Garden of Eden, on Perelandra, temptation has been defeated and Satan has lost. God's original vision for Perelandran humanity may take flower. Book Three: That Hideous Strength
Certain progressives among the Fellows of Bracton College engineer the sale of Bragdon Wood (rumored to house the living body of Merlin, his body preserved from aging by magic) to N.I.C.E., the National Institute for Co-ordinated Experiments. N.I.C.E. is a sinister group of scientists researching use of technology to rule mankind. Merlin's magic powers would be immensely useful to N.I.C.E., so they acquire the land with the purpose of disinterring and reviving Merlin. The central characters are Mark Studdock, a Fellow in sociology at Bracton and his wife Jane, a research student. Their marriage is troubled. Mark is blindly ambitious and Jane a proto-feminist. She is also troubled by what appear to be growing psychic abilities resulting in dreams that reflect present and future events in the real world. Mark is duped into working for N.I.C.E. and Jane finds herself on the side of good, working with Ransom. Her newfound psychic powers serve to aid in the location of Merlin and also provide information about the machinations of N.I.C.E. Once discovered, Merlin's ancient wizardry, linked with the power of the Eldil, defeat the evil N.I.C.E. in a stunning (and bloody) climax. The central focus is the development of Mark and Jane from shallow modernists into decent, caring people. Through the narrative, they both come to realize what is wrong in both their marriage and their outlook on life. Mark, in particular has the longer road to travel; since he fell almost totally under the spell of evil. Lewis paints his conversion to good in a quite convincing manner, clearly showing his belief in redemption of the soul.
Rating:
Summary: Reccomended to anyonre who can read.
Review: I had not only found the story meaningful, but quite profound. I would recommend these books to almost anyone. to anyone looking for an adventure, and to anyone looking for deep insight into philosophical truths. To a Christian, and to the atheist, and to the agnostic. To those who love science fiction and to those who would want to like science fiction. To a child, and to an adult who would want to be taken back to their childhood
Rating:
Summary: Space Trilogy
Review: I have just read "That Hideous Strength" again after 26 years. This book, and it's companions, are full of truth and power. The aspects of evil which manifest in clear view everyday are brought into the light and examined here. The consequences of our everyday choices are shown forth. Really good and inspirational reading. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Sci-Fi Classic
Review: I read this trilogy after reading Lewis's delightful series, The Chronicles of Narnia. I was totally unprepared for the insightful criticisms and tough disposition displayed in the books after reading the Narnian books that were colorful and fun. I quickly adapted to his more difficult style of writing, and began to understand that beneath the oddly beautiful science fiction novels there was a high level of spirituality, not found in many books. There was also several basic criticisms Lewis makes about the world he is living in, including human greed, imperialism, (Out of The Silent Planet and Perelandra), conformity (That Hideous Strength), among other things. The first two books of this trilogy are basically about Ransom's adventures and sets up the events that are going to occur in That Hideous Strength. They outline the segregation of the Silent Planet, and give the history of the eldil. They also contain an exciting good versus evil plot line that is extremely complex. The third book takes up where Perelandra left off, but follows the actions of a Mark Studdock and his wife, Jane, instead of Ransom. In an exciting, but tremendously thorough book Lewis ties all the threads of the plot line together and gives an apocalyptic conclusion. The series is great and is definetly a Sci-Fi epic worthy of your time and effort to read. It is a difficult book to read, not recommended for children, but is definetly recommend for those who like religious undertones, or those who enjoy great ability and creativity.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Sci-Fi Classic
Review: I read this trilogy after reading Lewis's delightful series, The Chronicles of Narnia. I was totally unprepared for the insightful criticisms and tough disposition displayed in the books after reading the Narnian books that were colorful and fun. I quickly adapted to his more difficult style of writing, and began to understand that beneath the oddly beautiful science fiction novels there was a high level of spirituality, not found in many books. There was also several basic criticisms Lewis makes about the world he is living in, including human greed, imperialism, (Out of The Silent Planet and Perelandra), conformity (That Hideous Strength), among other things. The first two books of this trilogy are basically about Ransom's adventures and sets up the events that are going to occur in That Hideous Strength. They outline the segregation of the Silent Planet, and give the history of the eldil. They also contain an exciting good versus evil plot line that is extremely complex. The third book takes up where Perelandra left off, but follows the actions of a Mark Studdock and his wife, Jane, instead of Ransom. In an exciting, but tremendously thorough book Lewis ties all the threads of the plot line together and gives an apocalyptic conclusion. The series is great and is definetly a Sci-Fi epic worthy of your time and effort to read. It is a difficult book to read, not recommended for children, but is definetly recommend for those who like religious undertones, or those who enjoy great ability and creativity.
Rating: 
Summary: Looking from the outside in...
Review: I tackled these books after a recommendation and reading the Narnia books. Though a little hard to understand occasionally, very insightful. I enjoyed them. They are a little slow getting started, but worth the effort. This was almost a chilling look at humanity and the human condition, not only from a religous outlook but even from secular morals. There are insights for both sides of the fence.
Rating:
Summary: C.S. Lewis, unmatched.
Review: I would have loved to have met this great mind. Incredible variety in all 3 books. Lewis however masterfully ties them all in. Once you pick up the Trilogy, you'll have a difficult time putting them down. Lewis tenatiously grasps hold of your mind and catapults you through an explosion of sights, sounds and color you've never imagined before. You'll meet characters that will boggle your mind and fascinate you. Not the norm, or same tired fictional characters that most writers are stuck in the mire with. Pick up the Trilogy. It's just you - Lewis - and your imagination. What a ride!
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