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Perelandra (1943)

by C. S. Lewis

Other authors: See the other authors section.

Series: Space Trilogy (2)

MembersReviewsPopularityAverage ratingConversations / Mentions
8,354104917 (3.82)1 / 184
Just as readers have been transfixed by the stories, characters, and deeper meanings of Lewis's timeless tales in The Chronicles of Narnia, most find this same allure in his classic Space Trilogy. In these fantasy stories for adults, we encounter, once again, magical creatures, a world of wonders, epic battles, and revelations of transcendent truths. Perelandra, the second novel in Lewis's science fiction trilogy, tells of Dr. Ransom's voyage to the paradise planet of Perelandra, or Venus, which turns out to be a beautiful Eden-like world. He is horrified to find that his old enemy, Dr. Weston, has also arrived and is putting him in grave peril once more. As the mad Weston's body is taken over by the forces of evil, Ransom engages in a desperate struggle to save the innocence of Perelandra!.… (more)
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 The Green Dragon: Reading Perelandra in June34 unread / 34Majel-Susan, July 2020

» See also 184 mentions

Showing 1-5 of 98 (next | show all)
After revisiting the first book in the Space Trilogy, Out of the Silent Planet, I decided to do the same with its sequel, Perelandra. I finished the free Audible version (included with membership) this morning.

I do not recommend reading this book as a standalone novel.

The premise: there are two native sentient beings on Perelandra (Venus), and Ransom is once again chosen to visit this planet to intervene in a cosmic battle for the souls of those beings as well as the future of the planet and its creatures. Weston, villain of Out of the Silent Planet, is present as well – or, his body is. This battle echoes the Genesis story of The Fall. Lewis is a Christian apologist and the story reflects that, but I’m recounting my experience of the book, with no respect to Christian theology. I believe readers who are traditional Christians will find additional depths of meaning, particularly in the last chapter.

Perelandra also has mermen, mermaids, floating islands, sweet fruits, bubble-trees, and friendly seahorses as well as other fantastical creatures, on land and sea. The sky has a golden glow but the sun is not visible; nor are there stars at night. It is the Yin to Malacandra’s Yang (Malacandra is also known as Mars – see Out of the Silent Planet) although Lewis doesn’t characterize it as such; he frames the energies of the planets as feminine (Perelandra) and masculine (Malacandra).

I didn’t find this book as engaging as Planet the first time I read it, and that has not changed, but I could chalk that up to listening instead of reading. Lewis himself is much more present in this book as a first-person narrator; he visits his colleague Ransom and, after agreeing to attend his return to Earth, helps Ransom depart for Perelandra. Lewis is then present for Ransom’s return, and recounts Ransom’s experiences on that planet. At this point the novel reads like a 3rd person narrative, but Lewis occasionally pops in as a character to remind us that this is really an implied 1st person narrative – much like reading a letter aloud. As such, the reader expects that Lewis will again speak in his own voice at the end of his recounting of Ransom’s story. He does not, so the end of the story feels quite abrupt. I’m sure there’s a story behind that, but it just feels like Lewis is over it.

Some possibly true backtsory: Ransom may be based on J.R.R. Tolkien, who was Lewis’ friend and colleague.

As always, narrator Geoffrey Howard (the late Ralph Cosham) provides a pleasant and well-modulated listening experience. ( )
  CatherineB61 | May 31, 2023 |
See "Out of the Silent Planet." Same deal. ( )
  Renzomalo | Apr 12, 2023 |
4 copies
  ABC2018 | Feb 11, 2023 |
The Christian allegory is heavy handed. Preserving Perelandra's Eve by murdering the snake feels strange and inconsistent. ( )
  Castinet | Dec 11, 2022 |
The story begun in Out of the Silent Planet continues in this second book of C. S. Lewis's Space Trilogy. This book to me was much different than the first. It seemed to be more science-fiction, while this second one has a significant religious overtone. Ransom is sent to Perelandra, or Venus to us, in search of an evil being that must be destroyed. The plot largely follows the story of Eve and the snake in the Garden of Eden. Weston, also from the first book, takes the part of the snake. This is not a light read; there is much room for serious thought, and I put the book down a few times just to think about what I'd read. ( )
  hobbitprincess | Sep 5, 2022 |
Showing 1-5 of 98 (next | show all)
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» Add other authors (16 possible)

Author nameRoleType of authorWork?Status
C. S. Lewisprimary authorall editionscalculated
Craft, KunikoCover artistsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Howard, GeoffreyNarratorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Kannosto, MattiTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Nielsen, CliffCover artistsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Symancyk, BernardCover artistsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
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To Some Ladies at Wantage
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As I left the railway station at Worchester and set out on the three-mile walk to Ransom's cottage, I reflected that no one on that platform could possibly guess the truth about the man I was going to visit.
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(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)
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Also known as Voyage to Venus
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Just as readers have been transfixed by the stories, characters, and deeper meanings of Lewis's timeless tales in The Chronicles of Narnia, most find this same allure in his classic Space Trilogy. In these fantasy stories for adults, we encounter, once again, magical creatures, a world of wonders, epic battles, and revelations of transcendent truths. Perelandra, the second novel in Lewis's science fiction trilogy, tells of Dr. Ransom's voyage to the paradise planet of Perelandra, or Venus, which turns out to be a beautiful Eden-like world. He is horrified to find that his old enemy, Dr. Weston, has also arrived and is putting him in grave peril once more. As the mad Weston's body is taken over by the forces of evil, Ransom engages in a desperate struggle to save the innocence of Perelandra!.

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The story of the fall of man philosophically retold as a space adventure. An amazing allegorical work by one of England's most well-known authors.
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