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Summary: Some of the BEST Sci Fi ever written
Review: In his only outing into the science fiction genre, C.S. Lewis brings a mix of the fantasy of his Narnia series into a Jules Verne-style story of science fiction. In a universe where our planet is world under siege, Maleldil (God) reaches out to the "Silent Planet" in a story rich in plot, character, and philosphical complexity. A must read for every serious Christian who reads sci fi, and for everyone else trying to understand how science and Christianity can be reconiled in a way that is not only consistent but elegant.
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Summary: Great Trilogy
Review: Lewis provides three great stories that build on each other and quickly get you into the story. I especially enjoyed "Perelandra", the story set on Venus challenges you to think, "What if YOU were in the garden of Eden and you could influence the beginning of a planet just as Satan did on Earth?" These books read at two levels; pure science fiction and the underlying plan and working of God in all that we do.
Rating:
Summary: Great Trilogy
Review: Lewis provides three great stories that build on each other and quickly get you into the story. I especially enjoyed "Perelandra", the story set on Venus challenges you to think, "What if YOU were in the garden of Eden and you could influence the beginning of a planet just as Satan did on Earth?" These books read at two levels; pure science fiction and the underlying plan and working of God in all that we do.
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Summary: The best C.S. Lewis writing
Review: Many of Lewis' works are heavily Christian, but his Space Trilogy is only subtly so, and the arguments and theological constructs are applicable far beyond Christianity. The writing in these three books is not Narnia-like in its intended audience, nor in its depth. It is difficult reading at times but well worth it. Out of the Silent Planet is really a primer for the two later books and isn't nearly as deep, consisting more of plot and action than meaning. It sets up nicely the amazing Perelandra, full of symbolism and philosophical meanderings. The final book, That Hideous Strength, combines an odd cast of characters and strange plot twists, almost in Bradbury style, but somehow manages to fit together and arrive at a climax that is somewhat reminiscent of the great battle of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, but with a more sophisticated and less obvious symbolic overtone. I heartily recommend these three books to any C.S. Lewis fan, as well as to people that simply enjoy novel works of theology and philosophy.
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Summary: Fantastic Fiction Fleshes Out Lewis' Philosophy
Review: One of the things that I really appreciate about C.S. Lewis is the way in which a great deal of his fictional writing seems to flesh out the ideas found in his non-fiction works. His stories are not just stories, but are often attempts to show how certain theological or philosophical positions might look in the world of everyday experience. His philosophy and theology are incarnated through his stories, so to speak. This offers the student of Lewis a chance to see how the ideas, theories, and beliefs promoted and discussed in his non-fiction works might play out in the "real" world. The works of the Space Trilogy parallel closely and deal with a lot of the same subject matter that is covered in Lewis' non-fiction work "The Abolition of Man", as well as many of his other, shorter writings, particularly on such subjects as science and technology, morality, and theology. In "Out of the Silent Planet" we first meet the character Ransom, who is kidnapped and taken on an interplanetary journey to Mars where he begins to learn about the true nature of the universe and the place our world occupies in it. This is also where we meet the first of various characters who, throughout the Trilogy, represent false, pernicious, and morally bankrupt views of the nature of the universe, and, more importantly, do not want to know the truth. Throughout the Trilogy, the forces of truth and goodness, mostly embodied in Ransom and some of his companions, must attempt to thwart and defeat the wicked schemes of those who refuse to acknowledge or embrace the truth. The schemes become more horrific and the action more intense with each successive book. In "Perelandra" Ransom must attempt to thwart the enemy's plans for the young planet Venus, while "That Hideous Strength" turns it's attention to the battle here at home. The writing in these books is at a very high level, full of beautiful description and deep theological and philosophical reflections about the nature of the universe we inhabit. Yet the stories themselves are also gripping, and are full of interesting and imaginative ideas of what things might be like on these other planets. In some ways, these books might almost be called anti-science fiction, because instead of using the story form simply to speculate about what scientific or technological advances might bring us in the future, Lewis attempts to show us how the inhabitants of these other planets would be real spiritual and moral beings, and to warn us about the possible consequences of allowing a morally and spiritually bankrupt scientific and technological elite to define our lives and our universe. These books stand head and shoulders over most science fiction writing and are worthy of the title of classics.
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Summary: Wonderful!
Review: Out of all fictional series, I have only found one series of books that I delight in more than the Space Trilogy - and that is the Chronicles of Narnia - by C.S. Lewis. This man had a gift for storytelling.
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Summary: The triumph of the Eccentric Englishman
Review: The "Space Trilogy" by C. S. Lewis is a bit of a surprise for those whose only exposure to the author is through the delightful "Chronicles of Narnia." The Space Trilogy is fantasy for adults, but based on Lewis's own particular world-view as a committed academic and lay member of the Church of England (i.e. Anglican Church). The book shows its roots through plausible science-fiction mixed with a world-view that embraces the pivotal role of the spiritual world as an integral part of the natural universe. To those who are suspicious that Lewis might be too much of an Evangelical Christian, I would answer that he is certainly has the world-view of a mid-20th century Anglican, but that his native imagination and intelligence embrace something much more universal than a particular religious time and place. In the first trip (to Mars) or Thulcandra, for example, Lewis includes a sharp and insightful criticism of 19th and early 20th Century British Imperialism (and materialism) through the character of a professor who has kidnapped the hero (Ransom) in the mistaken belief that the "god" of Thulcandra demands a human sacrifice. In the second book (Perelandra), Lewis explores the nature of temptation and morality through the idea of a "New Eden" on the planet Venus. At the end of the book, Lewis includes a rapturous passage that sounds as if it were written by a medieval mystic, in which the nature of the universe and God is explored in what is almost a hymn-like passage. Whenever I read this book, my imagination is stirred by the glorious descriptions of the imagined world of Perelandra. In the third installment of the series (That Hideous Strength), Lewis brings us back to Earth and a modern morality myth, in which a man's desire to "belong" or "fit in" is used to gradually corrupt him and draw him into a modern evil organization. The man's wife is simultaneously brought into more sympathetic contact with a vividly-imagined group that has strong Arthurian and mythopeic elements. The contrast between the two groups - stultifying conformity mixed with totalitarism on one hand and common purpose married with eccentric individuality on the other - makes for an entertaining story in which Lewis's sympathies are never in doubt. Spirituality, mythic forces, and good solid traditional English eccentricity mark the world created by Lewis. It is a world in which nature, poetry and the Medieval trump bland modern materialistic conformity. And this is all set in a well-crafted story and happens to well-drawn characters about whom we learn to care.
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Summary: C.S. Lewis' Allegorical Fantasy Masterpiece...
Review: The SPACE TRILOGY is C.S. Lewis' allegorical fantasy masterwork. It combines Christian Theology with philosophy, mythology and conventions of science fiction to produce one of the great Quest adventures of 20th century fiction. OUT of the SILENT PLANET introduces Ransom.... Lewis' surrogate voice of traditional Reason tempered by Faith...who is kidnapped by contemporary forces of (literally) superstitous adherrence to Modern/Post-Modern radical secularism and Scientism. Taken to "Mars"((to be victim of blood sacrifice to Alien Intelligences)) Ransom is made aware of the consequences of ORIGINAL SIN that made Earth, THE SILENT PLANET; and battle ground for Cosmic Powers of Good and Evil. PERELANDRA, in my estimate the most fascinating of the three books, is modern re-Telling of The GARDEN OF EDEN parable. Here Ransom and a character named Weston (believed by some scholars to represent H.G.Wells)become locked in spiritual, psychological and ultimately physical combat to preserve or corrupt an INNOCENT WORLD. C.S.Lewis description of "Venus"...the Edenic Planet...is startling and unique. The battle between the Two WORLD VIEWS is exciting and thought-provoking. THAT HIDEOUS STRENGTH is scary...
In The Trilogy's conclusion, Lewis(again through his hero Ransom) posits the Forces of Modern/ Post-Modernism are an anti-Faith in league with Demonic Powers. This "Fairy Tale for Adults" imaginatively evokes the myth of the Tower of Babel combined with Arthurian Legends, and New Age Occultism to produce a story of...until the climax when demonic influences are overtly revealed...subtle horror. The N.I.C.E. is described as a scientific United Nations devoted to establishment of a utopian Order of World Peace and Prosperity. The startling climax reveals its leaders as Conspirators with Evil, trading the souls and Nature of Mankind for Power. The SPACE TRILOGY is great story telling. Philosophically, C.S. Lewis dealt with many of its themes in his renowned essay,THE ABOLITION OF MAN. Like the latter,the premise of TST may unacceptably challenge or offend mature readers. What begins as Fairy Tale in guise of Science Fiction concludes as MODERN FABLE employing The Quest to probe ultimate metaphysical and ethical questions. Unlike The Chronicles of Narnia, THE SPACE TRILOGY is not for children.It is for adults who wish to travel Inner Spaces of the mind, heart and Soul and be marvelously entertained by The Trip......
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Summary: The battle of good and evil--CS Lewis style
Review: The Space Trilogy is CS Lewis's allegorical statement of theology and philosophy. Lewis was one of the most prominent Christian apologists of his time, but he always felt there was an audience he couldn't reach. This was his solution, and we are left with a masterpiece both in the world of fiction and the world of theology. The hero of the books is Dr. Ransom, a philologist who is a good man, though not exceptionally heroic at first. The first book finds him captured and whisked off to Mars, where he encounters a society much more morally advanced than our own, and learns that the corruption of our planet is due to an evil influence (which we would call Satan). These higher creatures cannot grasp the concepts of war, murder, or any vice. The second book finds Ransom transported to Perelandra, also known as Venus. This is Lewis's allegory of the garden of Eden, and here he encounters an unfallen woman who is being tempted into doing the forbidden. Here Ransom learns of the nature of sin, and of the temptation that (Lewis says) befell the parents of our own race. The final book is quite different from the other two, and Ransom, this time on Earth, is battling an evil organization which is bent on penetrating the mysteries of the universe and purifying the human race. Ransom and his followers are aided by a power that has long slept, and together they battle the power of science gone haywire. We see, through their eyes, the evils of society and of so-called 'higher thought.' There are many lessons to be learned from this wonderful trilogy, but there is also a remarkable story to be told. If you're a fan of fantasy and science fiction, a reader of Christian and theological works, or both, you will greatly enjoy the Space Trilogy.
Rating:
Summary: The battle of good and evil--CS Lewis style
Review: The Space Trilogy is CS Lewis's allegorical statement of theology and philosophy. Lewis was one of the most prominent Christian apologists of his time, but he always felt there was an audience he couldn't reach. This was his solution, and we are left with a masterpiece both in the world of fiction and the world of theology. The hero of the books is Dr. Ransom, a philologist who is a good man, though not exceptionally heroic at first. The first book finds him captured and whisked off to Mars, where he encounters a society much more morally advanced than our own, and learns that the corruption of our planet is due to an evil influence (which we would call Satan). These higher creatures cannot grasp the concepts of war, murder, or any vice. The second book finds Ransom transported to Perelandra, also known as Venus. This is Lewis's allegory of the garden of Eden, and here he encounters an unfallen woman who is being tempted into doing the forbidden. Here Ransom learns of the nature of sin, and of the temptation that (Lewis says) befell the parents of our own race. The final book is quite different from the other two, and Ransom, this time on Earth, is battling an evil organization which is bent on penetrating the mysteries of the universe and purifying the human race. Ransom and his followers are aided by a power that has long slept, and together they battle the power of science gone haywire. We see, through their eyes, the evils of society and of so-called 'higher thought.' There are many lessons to be learned from this wonderful trilogy, but there is also a remarkable story to be told. If you're a fan of fantasy and science fiction, a reader of Christian and theological works, or both, you will greatly enjoy the Space Trilogy.
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