Perelandra

As the second book in the Space Trilogy, this one is really able to shoot straight out quickly and it does get right into things. While there is an overarching story, this one tends to be philosophy as story driven. Where book one was more about the inhabitants of Mars also recognizing God, this one is Venus as Eden and a new temptation. I would liken this book to the first book of the Narnia series. There is an interesting story with a different world but the Christian symbolism is more direct. The storyline is interesting and the portion where three of the main characters are interacting is very interesting and well written. I would have liked Lewis to have written more specifics in the conversation portion of this part of the book as it's a great "What If..." book. "What if fallen man had been there to help Eve at the Temptation?" Very interesting read and so far the best of the series. Final grade - A-

The thriller part is only for a portion of the book (perhaps 1/4th). But I couldn’t think of any other way to describe it. It contains philosophical argumentation that, if you are in some way trained in philosophy, but not a master, you will likely feel tremendous challenge in a particular series of discourses (such challenge that I never felt by the dialogues of Socrates). Herein you will find the most sacred views of theism exposed to ridicule and defended imperfectly. I was nearly on the edge of my seat to see how things would pan out. Never did I think to myself “well thats not altogether an accurate rendering” of anything I read. I am continually amazed by the author’s ability o touch aspects of theology and mingle them with philosophical meanderings of mortals in such an exciting way. Reverent without being boorish or causing eye-rolling by the skeptics, and avant-guard without transgressing good sense. I cannot recommend this series more. Though I enjoy the Lord of the Rings trilogy more in terms of its world. I have never experienced more wonder nor didactic storytelling than I have in these three books. Note: I read these books twice at the age of 33 and 35 in 2016 and 2019. I am reading them again at age 40 in 2025. It is this third reading that I find the greatest delight.

Lewis is a master, both as a writer and as a thinker. He weaves together myth, literature, science and science fiction, with religion, philosophy, and theology to create a story that entertains and stimulates our deepest thoughts about the deep questions of life.

Still trudging through this second novel in the Space Trilogy. First, I loved "Out of the Silent Planet". Naturally I immediately searched for and purchased the following books in the series and began digging into Perelandra as soon as I could. What happened next was almost completely unexpected, however. I began noticing that my interest in the story was waning and I then found myself pushing to read on just to reach the next chapter - and this is where I am at in writing this review. I want to be fair, not only to C.S. Lewis, but also to his avid fans (me being one of them). The book is well-crafted, the prose is excellent as expected from Lewis' writing, and the characters and settings are vibrantly detailed and imaginative as ever. For some reason the pacing of the book and perhaps the setting and the fact that some of the elements of traveling into space and visiting an odd place have lost the magic or newness so-to-speak, and, subsequently, I have found myself less interested and captivated by the story. Perhaps this is also because the first book of the series was a complete mystery to me and had more (or at least seems like it did) sci-fi-esque elements? Regardless of what the reason is, I just cannot find myself being able to say that I love this second chapter in the Space Trilogy. I will attempt to finish it at some point in order to be able to carry on to That Hideous Strength and, if nothing else, be able to say that I have read through the complete trilogy - but for the time being, I'll be somewhat forcing myself to do so. I am sure some would completely disagree with me and think me insane for only giving Perelandra 4/5 stars - and others may be thinking it quite appropriate. I suppose this is the nature of personal opinion on such matters. *Update: I finished Perelandra today and must say that somewhere near the latter half-way mark of the book the story began to pick up and I once again found myself intrigued and it difficult to put the book down. There was still several pages here and there that I quickly skimmed through, but for the most part the latter half of the book was, at least to me, far more enjoyable than the first. With that said, I still hold fast to my 4/5 rating for the second entry in the Space Trilogy, but I am now more optimistic about starting the final entry, "That Hideous Strength".

C.S. Lewis's Space Trilogy is easily one of the best series I've ever read, and while each volume is so strong that it's difficult to choose the best, Perelandra, the second book, builds well on the foundation laid by Out of the Silent Planet and, in the end, outshines the final book, That Hideous Strength. The story begins as Lewis, writing himself into his own story, arrives in the English countryside to visit his old friend Dr. Ransom, with whom he has been corresponding about Ransom's strange journey to Mars, chronicled in the first book of the series. When Lewis arrives, Ransom reveals that the eldils--angelic creatures bound to different planets--of Mars have continuously visited him since his return to Earth, and that he is to leave on another journey that very night. Boxed up in an otherworldly, coffin-like capsule, Ransom is whisked away and doesn't return for over a year. When he does, he narrates his story through Lewis. Perelandra is the actual name of what we call the planet Venus, and when Ransom crashes through the dense, cloudy atmosphere he finds himself in a world of nothing but ocean, where floating islands of matted plants drift along, providing a place for rest and sleep. There, he meets the Queen of Venus, a green-skinned, naked woman apparently innocent of all knowledge except that told directly to her by Maleldil, or God. She knows the animals and their names, that her husband, the King, is somewhere on the same planet, and that Maleldil has forbidden them both to spend the night on solid land. Ransom decides that he has been brought to a new Eden, but for what purpose? His question is answered when a familiar-looking spaceship lands on Perelandra and Dr. Weston, the Nietzschean nemesis of Out of the Silent Planet, rows ashore. Weston soon plays host to a devilish tempter and Ransom's duty becomes clear--he must prevent this Eden's fall. Perelandra is a tour de force for C.S. Lewis. All of his skills are on display and sharply focused--the beautifully-drawn world, the deep resonance of his message and theme, and even the wry, good-natured humor that underlies so much of his work. And the work is far deeper than most scientific or theological fiction--parallels to his own works, such as The Screwtape Letters, and works like Paradise Lost and The Divine Comedy abound. Those to Paradise Lost are perhaps the most pointed, as Lewis dethrones Milton's concept of a high, stately Satan and replaces it with the far more likely childish, vindictive devil that inhabits Weston. The Space Trilogy is very loosely constructed, which means that any one of the books can be read as either part of the series or as stand-alone entertainment. It may not be necessary to read Out of the Silent Planet prior to this novel, but I'd recommend it and, if you choose not to, you'll want to once you've finished Perelandra. You won't be disappointed. Highly recommended.

I will never forget the first time that I read Perelandra. Having recently finished Out of the Silent Planet, my hopes were high for the second book in C. S. Lewis's space trilogy. However, I was completely suprised by and unprepared for the experience that was to come in this amazing work. Perelandra is one of those books that is truly great on so many different levels. Lewis's representation of innocence is incredibly deep and very believable. His portrayal of evil, both mentally and physically, is terrifying. The philosophical and theological subjects discussed in the book are many and varied. And Lewis's vision of paradise is one of the most stirring and memorable moments that I have ever had in reading a piece of literature. Perelandra is like a great symphony, it has the power to raise the soul to new heights. The descriptive and imaginative story, the profoundness in the dialogue with the Green Lady, the diabolical methods and doings of the Un-man, the words screamed to the heavens at the beginning of the final struggle, the unveiling of gender by the Eldils, the glory and wonder of the King and Queen, the mystery of the Great Dance; one could go on and on. Like all great writings, Perelandra rewards multiple readings. And like a truly great author, C. S. Lewis has conjured up thoughts and images that I will remember for the rest of my life.

Great read, instant classic in my book. But any book written by C.S. Lewis is awesome and an instant classic.

I rate this book 5-stars in context as the second book of the trilogy. I wrote a 5-star Goodreads review of C. S. Lewis' entire space trilogy when I completed the 3rd book "That Hideous Strength." Here is that Goodreads review: WHICH FOLLOWS: I just finished reading all three of CS Lewis' Space Trilogy back-to-back (published in 1938, 1943, and 1945) over the past few weeks. First caution, don't start with the 3rd book in the trilogy. The trilogy is a masterpiece, but jumping into the 3rd book will seriously shortchange what you will understand if you read all three in order. Second caution, don't start with the 2nd book in the trilogy. The series geometrically builds the cast, plot, and stakes book-by-book. A shortcut only shortchanges you. That said, this magnificent trilogy builds a fictional setting of interlocking stories that culminate, in the third, by illustrating that hideous strength which Lewis later describes in the tiny prose book: The Abolition of Man (1947). My interest in reading the trilogy after reading The Abolition of Man was piqued by the first of the seven (highest-quality HD) video lecture series on C. S. Lewis, all of which are presented free and streaming: just google "Hillsdale College C. S. Lewis lecture one" and enjoy this incredibly generous series. For the purpose of this book review, and for your greatest enjoyment, don't go past video lecture one and its Q&A session, but go from there to read The Abolition of Man (one-hour read), then the space trilogy in order. After you're done, return to the free lecture series 2 through 7. In this order you'll maximize enjoyment of this banquet, without any spoilers.