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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
What can I say about Perelandra…it isn’t science fiction, but religious fiction. Lewis is famously a Christian, and this work strongly reflects the Christian religious beliefs. In essence, it is the story of Adam and Eve, but if a 20th century English professor came and stomped on the snake. As per usual, Lewis’ prose is oftentimes drawn out, but despite this remains gorgeous. For anyone who is not a wholly dedicated Christian, you may find the ending a bit tacky. The King being in the image of Jesus (and therefore the white European Jesus that Ransom would have recognized) almost made me giggle. It takes itself very seriously, enormously seriously, that it stands out. Despite this, I still found the author’s moral arguments to be an interesting look inside Christian philosophy and theology, and Lewis’ additions of his own Space Trilogy theology with angels and the like to be worthy of some praise. 4/5
adventurous
challenging
informative
3.75 The second half is so much better than the first. I really enjoyed it. The world building and imagery did almost take me out in the first half.
I think this one is better than the first book of the series, and I think much of that is for the depth of theology that this one brings out. Lewis is an author that the more one reads of his work, the more one finds unifying principles (and practices) of writing. His use of vivid description was always one of my favorite aspects of reading the Chronicles of Narnia as well as his rapid (if somewhat two-dimensional) development of characters. At the heart of the book is this, if God created another world after redeeming earth, what would it be like? There is still a temptation, but the Fall is avoided. This plays into Lewis's use of the concept of God not doing things the same way twice. The feeble nature of Ransom's ability to argue against the designs of the Tempter illustrate well the failings of apologetics. Lastly, the final chapter is a truly superb declaration of praise to God for who He is and what He has done. There were several things that I didn't care for. The first was theological: Lewis's view of the atonement centered on the ransom theory. Later, it seems that he incorporated penal substitution into his view, but without that, his view is incomplete. (For a better view of the atonement, see The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.) Likewise, his treatment of pagan gods as manifestations of unfallen angelic beings is troublesome. The second is stylistic: the final solution to addressing Satan is almost comical. Especially considering this to be the climax of the book, this was just silly. In general, however, it is a good and thought-provoking read.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
My dad read this to us a few years back and I really didn't like it. It just seemed bizarre. Maybe I just missed all of what Lewis was trying to say, but I'm not really planning on reading this anytime soon unless I hear someone else say that I totally missed out.
I remember not finishing this book the first time because I was put off by how unlike the first it seemed. And yeah, most of the stuff I really liked in the first book just isn't here. It can barely be called a "space" trilogy despite it taking place on Venus, because the real meat of the book is just a Jesus Metaphor debating with a Devil Metaphor about sin.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed that part a lot. It really showcased Lewis's skills as an apologetic and I found it really fascinating all the things he brought up in the discussion. I also found it really interesting what the Unman chose as its method of tempting the woman: calling it a noble sacrifice for her people and that she would bear the burden so no one else would have to. I wouldn't go as far as to call it sexist since it does seem like Lewis holds women in high regard, but it was certainly... something.
One of my big gripes is that this felt way more on-the-nose than the first book or even the Narnia series. Like the allegory is definitely there but it doesn't spell out for the reader what's happening, where in this book it does. It's almost like someone passed Lewis some notes complaining someone didn't get the allegory he was going for, so he had to outright say "this is a Garden of Eden allegory" for people to get it.
Another issue for me was that after that debate between Ransome and the Unman, the book got kind of boring. It felt like things dragged out a lot and I just didn't really care that much. We know what happened: Ransome got back to Earth. So the rest of the details felt like padding. It is a shame that this book didn't feel nearly as much of a space adventure as the last one, but it was still good for at least that debate.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed that part a lot. It really showcased Lewis's skills as an apologetic and I found it really fascinating all the things he brought up in the discussion. I also found it really interesting what the Unman chose as its method of tempting the woman: calling it a noble sacrifice for her people and that she would bear the burden so no one else would have to. I wouldn't go as far as to call it sexist since it does seem like Lewis holds women in high regard, but it was certainly... something.
One of my big gripes is that this felt way more on-the-nose than the first book or even the Narnia series. Like the allegory is definitely there but it doesn't spell out for the reader what's happening, where in this book it does. It's almost like someone passed Lewis some notes complaining someone didn't get the allegory he was going for, so he had to outright say "this is a Garden of Eden allegory" for people to get it.
Another issue for me was that after that debate between Ransome and the Unman, the book got kind of boring. It felt like things dragged out a lot and I just didn't really care that much. We know what happened: Ransome got back to Earth. So the rest of the details felt like padding. It is a shame that this book didn't feel nearly as much of a space adventure as the last one, but it was still good for at least that debate.
First re read in over 20 years
Enjoyed so much many of the long passages I found difficult and thus dull and pointless as a teen. Was a worshipful experience.
Enjoyed so much many of the long passages I found difficult and thus dull and pointless as a teen. Was a worshipful experience.
The language was hard to follow. Too many philosophical debates and religious debates.
Edit: Shortly after I published the first version of this review, I was able to put words to what's been bugging me about these books.
They're not fiction. I mean, they are, in the sense that the characters and events aremostly fictional constructs, but really, they're theological studies using fiction as a carrier. The symbolism is so thin that partway through the book Lewis gives up all pretense (if there was any to begin with, I'm really not sure) that Maleldil and God are not the same, and begins using their names interchangeably.
Now, I'm ok with this, but that's mostly because I think Lewis' theology makes for interesting reading. I'm aware that not everyone shares this view.
For myself, I think Lewis was writing with a specific message in mind, and I think he succeeded in conveying it. If I think the process he chose was inelegant... it certainly leaves little room for misinterpretation.
Original Review:
Alright. Everything that I said about the first book? Make it double for this one.
Beautiful, albeit long blocks of description (which, in my edition were printed in small font on paper with very narrow margins--hello Wall of Text) make Perelandra almost livable. And later, the theological debate between Ransom and the Unman is striking. By and large I did enjoy it. (Though in retrospect, I think I liked Out of the Silent Planet more).
The ending doesn't wrap nicely, but I'll admit I was getting tired at that point, and I may not be giving it full justice. Still, it seems to me that the first two thirds of the book are the best.
They're not fiction. I mean, they are, in the sense that the characters and events are
Now, I'm ok with this, but that's mostly because I think Lewis' theology makes for interesting reading. I'm aware that not everyone shares this view.
For myself, I think Lewis was writing with a specific message in mind, and I think he succeeded in conveying it. If I think the process he chose was inelegant... it certainly leaves little room for misinterpretation.
Original Review:
Alright. Everything that I said about the first book? Make it double for this one.
Beautiful, albeit long blocks of description (which, in my edition were printed in small font on paper with very narrow margins--hello Wall of Text) make Perelandra almost livable. And later, the theological debate between Ransom and the Unman is striking. By and large I did enjoy it. (Though in retrospect, I think I liked Out of the Silent Planet more).
The ending doesn't wrap nicely, but I'll admit I was getting tired at that point, and I may not be giving it full justice. Still, it seems to me that the first two thirds of the book are the best.