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3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
For some reason, this book was much harder to pay attention to and read than the previous two in the series. I love C.S. Lewis’s writing, but I couldn’t relate to the characters as much as normal. I would have liked to see more sci-fi writing to finish off the series.
Read this book during my class, "C.S. Lewis," J-term 2008.
The Space Trilogy Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra, That Hideous Strength, C. S. Lewis
Instant favorites. I've always loved The Chronicles of Narnia, but The Space Trilogy is a whole 'nother ball game. The creativity, the wonder, the suspense, and the delicious storytelling had me on the edge of my seat. I especially loved the realness of describing new worlds. Reading Perelandra, especially, was a spiritual experience, and I'm so glad I got to share these books with Caleb. These three books we read aloud together, and they made for a great joint reading adventure.
Instant favorites. I've always loved The Chronicles of Narnia, but The Space Trilogy is a whole 'nother ball game. The creativity, the wonder, the suspense, and the delicious storytelling had me on the edge of my seat. I especially loved the realness of describing new worlds. Reading Perelandra, especially, was a spiritual experience, and I'm so glad I got to share these books with Caleb. These three books we read aloud together, and they made for a great joint reading adventure.
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
A review from my old blog...
(a review of the whole trilogy)
I am not much of a science fiction aficionado but I gave these books by C. S. Lewis a try because I love the Chronicles of Narnia so much.
I didn't really like these books. I never really got into them. the plot of all three of them while connected in some ways really had nothing to do with each other and really didn't seem all that connected within the books themselves.
I did enjoy the books but the plot took such a turn that often I really didn't understand the story. I guess I'm still not much for science fiction and found myself very disappointed especially when comparing those books to Chronicles of Narnia which I absolutely love.
(a review of the whole trilogy)
I am not much of a science fiction aficionado but I gave these books by C. S. Lewis a try because I love the Chronicles of Narnia so much.
I didn't really like these books. I never really got into them. the plot of all three of them while connected in some ways really had nothing to do with each other and really didn't seem all that connected within the books themselves.
I did enjoy the books but the plot took such a turn that often I really didn't understand the story. I guess I'm still not much for science fiction and found myself very disappointed especially when comparing those books to Chronicles of Narnia which I absolutely love.
This was an interesting book. Once again, Lewis uses the genre of science fiction as a means of exploring his philosophical and theological ideas in the direct, confrontational way common in his other works. The ideas explored in this book are thought provoking and more grounded than those in the first two installments of this trilogy and in typical Lewis fashion, there is no doubt what views the author perceives as being absolutely true.
I was particular interested here in how Lewis was clearly continuing to process WWII. He depicts the gradual corruption of people and an entire nation, but rather than leaving it in Germany, he puts the mirror back on his own home of England, showing a similar descent. He showed an unforgiving look at humanity rather than leaving the blame in the hands of some specific foreigners. Some of this manifested in a strong fear of progress but considering the Nazi ideas he was struggling with, it was hard to blame him.
There were some scenes that didn't seem to have much of a purpose to me though I'm sure Lewis meant something by them. And I'm not terribly fond of his consistent form of sexism or the totality of his ideas on marriage, both of which made a number of appearances throughout the book. But I still appreciate the ideas he wrestles with and I think he did so very competently here.
I was particular interested here in how Lewis was clearly continuing to process WWII. He depicts the gradual corruption of people and an entire nation, but rather than leaving it in Germany, he puts the mirror back on his own home of England, showing a similar descent. He showed an unforgiving look at humanity rather than leaving the blame in the hands of some specific foreigners. Some of this manifested in a strong fear of progress but considering the Nazi ideas he was struggling with, it was hard to blame him.
There were some scenes that didn't seem to have much of a purpose to me though I'm sure Lewis meant something by them. And I'm not terribly fond of his consistent form of sexism or the totality of his ideas on marriage, both of which made a number of appearances throughout the book. But I still appreciate the ideas he wrestles with and I think he did so very competently here.
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Murder
Moderate: Alcoholism, Gun violence, Medical content
Of the three books in the Space Trilogy this one was by far my favorite. It seemed to have the strongest character driven plot. And while the prose was still wordy, academic, and mundane but the war between the Logres and the N.I.C.E. along with all the scientific manipulation made this book seem more like a novel than a reinterpretation of a biblical concept.
The N.I.C.E. is fairly well constructed as an evil corporation and I'd much rather have read a series about their rise to power than one about Ransom's interaction with Maleldil. However, with the lack of a back story on them they feel a little rushed. They rise to power too quickly, organize too fast, and are just a little too constructed to be believable (but maybe that's the point?).
Merlin, as much as I like him as a mythical figure, was an odd character here and the mash-up of science fiction and arthurian legend while fun, took a while to get used to.
I had a very difficult time with the ending, and almost wish the book had ended a chapter or two sooner.
Who would enjoy it? People who already read the first two and want to stick it out, diehard Lewis fans, fans of arthurian legends or myths about Merlin.
who wouldn't enjoy it? People who haven't read the other two books in the series, those who don't enjoy wordy prose.
The N.I.C.E. is fairly well constructed as an evil corporation and I'd much rather have read a series about their rise to power than one about Ransom's interaction with Maleldil. However, with the lack of a back story on them they feel a little rushed. They rise to power too quickly, organize too fast, and are just a little too constructed to be believable (but maybe that's the point?).
Merlin, as much as I like him as a mythical figure, was an odd character here and the mash-up of science fiction and arthurian legend while fun, took a while to get used to.
I had a very difficult time with the ending, and almost wish the book had ended a chapter or two sooner.
Who would enjoy it? People who already read the first two and want to stick it out, diehard Lewis fans, fans of arthurian legends or myths about Merlin.
who wouldn't enjoy it? People who haven't read the other two books in the series, those who don't enjoy wordy prose.
slow-paced
The Space Trilogy: A guy named Ransom gets kidnapped by two scientists and taken to Mars. In the second book he voluntarily goes to Venus, and the third one takes place on Earth with some Arthurian mythos woven in. I really enjoyed the first book and would recommend it, but the second one turns into a really long philosophical debate in the middle and the third one is pretty much long and boring all the way through. My recommendation would be to read the first, skim the second, and skip the third.