Reviews

Perelandra by C.S. Lewis

forestidylls's review against another edition

3.0

Not as good as the first, but still an interesting version of the beginning of a world, and fascinating commentary on what we believe.

cassiakarin's review against another edition

5.0

Much more difficult than the first book in this series, Out of the Silent Planet, but deep, rich, and solidly packed with references to great literature and whirlwinds of philosophical quandary. I realized halfway through this book, having dragged it out for some time, that it had to be read quickly. There are so many intricate and twisty concepts, ideas, and conversations in it that in order to remain within the emotion that Ransom is experiencing and feel the tear of his formerly held positions, and the weight of his convictions as they rise and fall and nearly slips away, you have to read it in one long breath. I am certain that I missed much of the profundity of this book. However, I got a glimpse. I felt a breeze of it. I could smell a sweet savory warmth from a fire burning just out of reach. I’m certain I will need to read this book again…maybe in fifteen years.
I also recommend watching a lecture Malcolm Guite has online that includes discussion on this book. He reveals the great profundities hidden in the book and ties them to incredible themes of life and virtue in other great literature. YouTube: “The Great Dance: Love and the Virtues from Dante to Lewis” by Malcolm Guite

Recommended by: Michael Ward & Malcolm Guite

dkatreads's review against another edition

4.0

My favorite of the series. The ending alone is worth a frequent reread.

danakinskyrocker's review

mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

drone232's review

hopeful mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This is mostly theology. I liked it better when I understood that. Out of the Silent Planet, the prequel, is an adventure with some philosophy. This is just straight up The Adam and Eve story retold with aliens and author commentary. Despite some sexism, it is a good discussion on original sin.

debout's review against another edition

adventurous challenging mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

michaelesch's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I always feel weird writing a review for a second book in trilogy. If you are reading this book you have probably already read Out of the Silent Planet. I found this one to be a little bit more interesting. The planet is similar to Eden, but as always, it has its twists. It is classic C.S. Lewis writing on spiritual things in a such a good and unique way, while also giving great insight to true spiritual realities, mainly that our battle is not with flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 

I enjoyed this book and would recommend to anyone that is a Lewis fan. If you have never read C.S Lewis, I would recommend first reading Screwtape Letters, before you start with the Space Trilogy, if you like that one, you will most definitely like these. 

jenniamysuzy's review against another edition

3.5

I enjoyed this one a bit more than the first book, mostly because I could really tell in this one that it was a Lewis book. There were Bible references all throughout this one that I think I missed in the first book or were just missing in general. 

t8r's review against another edition

4.0

One of Lewis' bests!

tarrowood's review against another edition

3.0

The beginning of the novel was really tough to get into and at times felt like lazy writing on Lewis’s part, which was disappointing (Lewis is no sci-fi writer in my books). As the story progressed I was more pulled in, but there’s way too much explanation and overt correlations in the novel to wow me. I will say that there were theological ideas that really got me (like the concept of how long it could’ve taken for temptation to root in Eve, and the idea of what a perfect world would look like). But, those weren’t enough to truly compel me throughout. A decent, but not great book