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3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
Somewhere between 3-4 stars, but I'll round up.
I found this to be a deeply odd and surprisingly funny conclusion to the Space Trilogy, and I spent the first quarter or third of the book just adjusting to the players and framework of the story. As with Perelandra, I do think the plot sometimes suffers a bit in service to the allegory and religious symbolism. That said, I was never bored, and the climax is wilder and more hilariously unhinged than anything I would ever have imagined.
As Lewis imaginatively burrows down to the bedrock of his beliefs (which very much inform this trilogy), I find it hard to accompany him all the way down. His conception of an inherently masculine God, along with the role of obedience (especially as it pertains to femininity) is an idea I find...troubling. I have always struggled to reconcile the Christian structure by which Lewis makes sense of the universe. But I appreciate his wit and prose, and even when we don't agree he pulls me to new places and rich fantastical worlds.
I found this to be a deeply odd and surprisingly funny conclusion to the Space Trilogy, and I spent the first quarter or third of the book just adjusting to the players and framework of the story. As with Perelandra, I do think the plot sometimes suffers a bit in service to the allegory and religious symbolism. That said, I was never bored, and the climax is wilder and more hilariously unhinged than anything I would ever have imagined.
As Lewis imaginatively burrows down to the bedrock of his beliefs (which very much inform this trilogy), I find it hard to accompany him all the way down. His conception of an inherently masculine God, along with the role of obedience (especially as it pertains to femininity) is an idea I find...troubling. I have always struggled to reconcile the Christian structure by which Lewis makes sense of the universe. But I appreciate his wit and prose, and even when we don't agree he pulls me to new places and rich fantastical worlds.
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The story was convoluted and difficult to follow. A disappointing end to a trilogy with so much potential.
challenging
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Really quite dystopian and almost Orwellian in places. Not satisfactory as a stand-alone, I wouldn't say, and not nearly so beautiful as its trilogymates. Perhaps a tad confusing in places, too. But somehow still poignant, like Lewis always is. Lines hit you here and there: a tug at the heartstrings, a gasp of conviction, a deer-in-headlights moment of realization. Gave it five stars on my first reading in 2008, and I'll go with three stars this second time round.
One negative thing about this book for me: it was sooooo slowww. But I’m for sure glad that I read it. It’s thought provoking and rewarding. I enjoyed the first two in the trilogy more, yes, but this one is still worth a read once for me. Will I read it again? Doubtful. Nevertheless, I encourage you to read the full trilogy.
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
This was my favorite out of the trilogy. For it being so much longer than the other two, and because it is so different in structure, this book gets a bad name to it but for me, this has been the best fiction I’ve read by Lewis so far. The story is so enigmatically brilliant as you feel this sense of confusion along with the characters which was one of my favorite elements to this book. The allegorical stuff was much more subtle which made it a more enjoyable read to really make me think about what Lewis was trying to get at. Overall, I loved the book as a whole and will hopefully read it again in the near future!
I was supposed to read this with my book club years ago, but didn’t.
Better than Perelandra, but not quite as good as Out of the Silent Planet. That Hideous Strength has its own interesting points, but I mostly read it for Lewis' elegant style and absolute nuttiness.