Space Trilogy

Space Trilogy (Space Trilogy #1-3)

4.05 of 5 stars 4.05  ·  rating details  ·  3,962 ratings  ·  184 reviews
OUT OF THE SILENT PLANET is the first volume of Lewis' space trilogy which is continued in PERELANDRA and THAT HIDEOUS STRENGTH.

Dr. Ransom, a noted philologist, is kidnapped and flown by spaceship to Malacandra (Mars) where he flees his human captors and establishes communication with the planet's extraordinary inhabitants. What he learns galvanizes his attempt to return t

...more
Paperback, 0 pages
Published January 1st 1996 by Scribner Book Company (first published 1945)
more details... edit details

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 3,000)
filter  |  sort: default (?)  |  rating details
James
I would rank this with Tolkien's Middle Earth work for skill in creating imaginary realities (Lewis and Tolkien were close friends and often gave each other feedback on drafts of their work) and with Stephen King's The Stand for its power as a story of good and evil. Also like those other two stories, I would caution that some of this might be - no, is - too dark for children or young teens.

I especially like the portrayal of evil as stupid, blind, and shallow rather than being intriguing, romant...more
Bart Breen
Classic Science Fiction! Must read for many!

CS Lewis is best known for his Narnia Series for children and then as a Christian Apologist. An agnostic for many years, this English Don and Professor of Literature came to develop a friendship with JRR Tolkien (yes, THE JRR Tolkien)and over the course of that friendship, converted to Christianity and the Church of England, (despite the protestation of Tolkien to a small degree who was himself Roman Catholic.)

Lewis grew in fame throughout England in p...more
Sarah Newell
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
Xox
Space Trilogy, namely the Silent Planet, Perelandra, and That Hideous Strength are one of the most boring Sci fi I've ever read.

The first one, the Silent Planet, main character Ransom was kidnapped. The total lack of chracter development or plot would made this one of the worst sic fi read, even when it is less than 200 pages.

Book two Perelandra is not only preaching and boring, Lewis tried to fit in the myth that made this one too horribly oppressing and proselytizing to read, and one has to...more
Chad Johnston
While Dad is my family's resident sci-fi connoisseur, this year Dad and I trekked into interstellar space together, reading C.S. Lewis' Space Trilogy and Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game. I had reservations about reading sci-fi novels, as I thought I might end up becoming fluent in Klingon as a result. Surprisingly, the genre ended up teaching me a thing or two about theology, and even more about the mechanics of the writing craft.

Written in the 40s, Lewis' Space Trilogy has little to do with the...more
Paul Mitchell
For a long time, I counted That Hideous Strength as one of my favorite books, and it very well fictionalizes that scientism vs. Faith debate that Lewis found himself in quite often (see The God Question pitting Freud vs. Lewis). Out of the Silent Planet, though, is a classic all its own displaying the utter silliness of the vanities of humankind when the protagonist (a philologist - be still my heart) has to explain the intent of other human "invaders" to conquer the planet and the species inhab...more
Bethany
This space trilogy should not be "confused" as a normal sci fi. C.S. Lewis writes all his fiction with a purpose of philosophizing and helping the read see parallels to Christianity and really, just "real life".

I value this trilogy as one of my favorite reads of all time. If you decide to read it, you can't approach it like a normal "fiction" read. You have to really pay attention to C.S. Lewis's characters' thought processes because therein lies the secrets to the books.

I would dare say that ev...more
Timothy Meixell
While somewhat imaginative, this trilogy is stupid. That's right, I said stupid. The characters are boring, and the inner musings of Ransom compare to those of any toddler exposed to the same circumstances.

You know what? I take back saying that it was imaginative. Lewis couldn't think of his own alien worlds, so he copy/pasted some christian mythology and then added some pretty scenery. He couldn't think of a good main character so he grabbed some dull professor (surprise!) and crammed him on to...more
Vhernalyn
I borrowed these books from a friend in church and I loved the triology. It follows around the scientist, Ransom, who first finds himself kidnapped and taken to the planet Malacandra. He interacts with the beings there who are very far from human beings. This whole triology portrays how "the Devil" influenced people from planet to planet to bring about damnation and the only planet that will fall is Earth. On the second book, Ransom goes to Perelandra to save that planet from tempatation and it...more
Ashley
I was a little disappointed with the series, when compared with either the Chronicles of Narnia or George MacDonald's work...



Out of the Silent Planet: It was very superficial, and by that, I mean that my eyes were probably as round as quarters imagining the world on Mars. If you can suspend disbelief, it makes for good fantasy, but its not that deep on the first read-through.



Perelandra: My favorite, but I can't imagine reading it without having read Out of the Silent Planet. You would miss way...more
Erin Thomas
Lewis, himself, describes the 3rd volume of this trilogy as fairytales for grownups. If you thought Narnia was magical and powerful, Out of the Silent Planet will introduce you to a completely different side of Lewis, moving into the Eden-esque backdrop in Perelandra, and the dark desire for power in That Hideous Strength. Set in post-WWII, with Dr.Ransom as the protagonist, the reader will be drown into a cosmic realm where fiction blurs into: "Could this one day be...? Have we already become t...more
Jamie
Gah! This is appalling stuff. I don't know how a person can live with such an ugly worldview. Did you know that the earth is a hopelessly benighted, horrible place because we are out of touch with God? Well, now you know. Earth sucks. We really ought to get out more.

But all that aside, you know where he really lost me? The part where he has an alien suggest that the only reason we earthlings bother forming relationships with stupid animals like dogs is because we haven't got any properly sentien...more
Beth
To ask what these books are about is to open quite the can of worms. You might say, "Its the story of a man named Ransom, and his adventures with space travel." and that "Written before the days that man had stepped onto the moon, it was far more imaginative (often mistaken, but oftener insightful) than what modern science fiction allows for." (It DOES take you on a rather fantastic trip; the scenery and creatures in this bemusing speculation of extraterrestial life runs far from the cold "littl...more
Michael Reynolds
Mar 17, 2007 Michael Reynolds rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Those with rich imaginations
Shelves: fantasysci-fi
Wow. This series will absolutely knock you out. From the interesting possibilities raised by the consideration of the Eldila, to the rich landscapes of Perelandra, to the magnificent and thoroughly numina-filled way in which the Oyeresu are treated, there really aren't any stones left unturned. So much deep water is treaded just by dealing with the concept of life on other planets-or even outside of our normally visible sphere-as to make all other attempts at sci-fi seem laughable or even juveni...more
pchan
I think the first book is the least interesting, although still entertaining.

The second book is sublimely written. Some of the finest word-images CSL ever penned, in my opinion. Right up there with the end of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader when the children and Reepicheep sail toward and finally arrive in Aslan's Country. Glorious prose. (Although, as I recall, the first chapter or two of this book could almost have been written as a horror story. Quite chilling.)

The third book takes a differen...more
Christy Sibila
I first read C.S. Lewis' Space Trilogy for a college class, and so 10 plus years later I decided to revisit it. Out of the Silent Planet is remarkable in its beauty and intelligence. The descriptions of Dr. Ransom's experience are rich and fascinating in their detail. However, I found this level of detail overwhelming as I moved onto Perelandra, the second book in the Space Trilogy. I could not fathom reading these novels back-to-back, although each novel stands beautifully on its own.
Sarah
These books were quick Christmas reads for me. Fabulous imagery and deep theological questions and discussions. CS Lewis is wonderful. I thought about the characters of this series days after reading it. Perelandra is more of a philosophical book, while Out of the Silent Planet is more plot based. That Hideous Strength was a little stranger to me, perhaps because it takes place on Earth, and it seemed too "weird" to me. I guess when things happen on Mars it is much more easier to accept :)
Lynn
Dec 23, 2008 Lynn added it
I'm part of the way through the trilogy -- just finished the second book -- and I have mixed feelings about the books as a whole. His views on science vs. humanities bothers me some: The hero of the trilogy is a middle-aged, English philologist (like he sort of was) and the antagonist of the first couple books is a scientist whom he portrays as good at science, but kind of dense otherwise in matters of language and philosophy. (Counter-example = Einstein, among others.) I won't go into the other...more
Mike (the Paladin)
Fantastic read. This edition includes the entire Space Trilogy. I think that even though this is an older book you'll find it strangly applicable.

Example: In That Hideous Strength the "evil group" threating the world is identified by the acronym "NICE". That's also the real acronym used for the real group in England to decide wh gets what medical treatment. And Lewis wrote this 1945.....
Q
This trilogy is definitely something different from the most SF books I've read. I was 17 when I read it and it was the first time religious content in book was so overwhelming that I couldn't help but notice it. To the day my impression of it could be described as "pearly-pink bubblegum in the sunset": pretty, soft-looking but loses the taste fast and becomes sticky and annoying.
Ann
While most of us know C.S. Lewis for his Narnia series, he has also written some great adult sci-fi. This trilogy is great, particularly Perelandra. Again, C.S. Lewis is definately writing from a Christian point of view, but like I said in my review of the Chronicles of Narnia, it never feels like he is proselytizing, only exploring. Perelandra in particular is one of my favorites, as it explores the story of Adam and Eve but on the planet Venus. Sounds crazy and cheesy, but what exactly might t...more
Dandavis
The settings for Out of the Silent Planet and Paralandra seemed flat and sketch-like, though the ideas and conversations were refreshing. That Hideous Strength doesn't require the reading of the first two and is, by far, the best story.
I'd recommend Out of the Silent Planet and Paralandra broadly but not as enthusiastically as I'd recommend That Hideous Strength.
Emily House
I hope that someday as many have read the Space Trilogy as have read Narnia. These three books take the narrator on journeys to other worlds, and, in the last book, a trip on our own. Lewis explores some "what-if" questions of our own planet's fall and subsequent journey, and in the last book looks to the present/future. Lewis's gift of allegory shines in this series.
reneamac
I enjoyed all three books in this series from Lewis. They're each unique, written in a distinct style, and can be read on their own (in other words, no need to read them in order or even read them all, though of course it will add to your experience if you do). If you were only going to read one, book 3, That Hideous Strength, is hands down the best of the three.
Kirsten
I like fantacy fiction because it has the unique ability to present single truths in a context where nothing else is familiar in order to show them as stronger, richer, and fuller than they could otherwise be shown. While I'll admit most of that genre neglects that trait, C.S. Lewis was a master at capturing truth, and didn't miss a beat for this trilogy.
Each of the books is very different than the others and each deals with distinct ideas and themes. All do a marvelous job both at being a story...more
Jennifer Zartman
What an amazing mind C. S. Lewis had! A tremendous story teller, and a great man of God, he has inspired my writing. I love this book and have read it many times over the years. He produces fantastic imagery through words. Since reading this, I've often wondered about our "bent" planet and what we would see if only we had the proper eyes.
Mary Kauffman
I read these 3 books many years ago and again several years ago. Plan to read them again soon. I read mostly in Nook format but this particular set is valuable enough to me to buy them in hardback. I have tried to only have "special" and "treasured" books in my library....these books definitely fit the treasured category. I recommend them.
Elise
This trilogy, if it were one book, would be in my top 5 best books ever. It's the Chronicles of Narnia for grown-ups, set in a science fiction genre. It's classic good vs evil, and I suppose it's a Christian allegory, but he doesn't shove it down your throat. I loved this trilogy, one of the few that I'll re-read throughout my lifetime.
Mary
As a series it is engaging, beautiful, and challenging. While Perelandra is a bit dense, it still presents spectacular ideas and situations in a fascinating manner. The first and the last book are not only intellectually stimulating, but also tell a unique story -- very different from any other space story you will read.
Judith
Aug 02, 2012 Judith rated it 5 of 5 stars  ·  review of another edition Recommends it for: science fiction readers
Shelves: sci-fi
I am amazed that these books were written in the early 1940's - this author was way ahead of his time. I could not put these books down. Once I finished the first one, I had to get going on the next. I found the set at a yard sale but if you find them and you like science fiction, then these are the books for you.
« previous 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 99 100 next »
There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »
The Cosmic Trilogy: Out of the Silent Planet / Perelandra / That Hideous Strength (Paperback)
The Space Trilogy: Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra, That Hideous Strength  (Paperback)
Space Trilogy: Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra, That Hideous Strength (Boxed Set)
Cosmic Trilogy: "Out of the Silent Planet", "Perelandra" and "That Hideous Strength" (Hardcover)
The Space Trilogy (Paperback)

1069006
CLIVE STAPLES LEWIS (1898–1963) was one of the intellectual giants of the twentieth century and arguably one of the most influential writers of his day. He was a Fellow and Tutor in English Literature at Oxford University until 1954, when he was unanimously elected to the Chair of Medieval and Renaissance Literature at Cambridge University, a position he held until his retirement. He wrote more th...more
More about C.S. Lewis...
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (Chronicles of Narnia, #2) The Chronicles of Narnia (Chronicles of Narnia #1-7) The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (Chronicles of Narnia, #3) The Magician's Nephew (Chronicles of Narnia, #1) The Screwtape Letters

Share This Book

Your website