Anyone read the Space Trilogy?

captclazorus

"Out of the Silent Planet," which I am coming close to completing certainly isn't the most enthralling work I've ever read. But CS Lewis has such a way with words that I couldn't resist trying it. The detail he uses going into describing the culture in this planetary romance is very astounding, given the three different species that dominate as intelligent life on this planet. The religious aspects are also quite evocative while pondering it. It certainly isn't Star Trek, but it's certainly better than 2001...

steamwright

Actually, no, I haven't and I'm glad you reminded me. I've been meaning to read it for about 40 years. The paperback editions used to sit right at my eye level as a kid when I walked through my father's bookstore. I knew of Narnia, but had been told the space trilogy would be better read when I was older. Guess I'm a bit overdue.

rattler2

I actually haven't heard of it myself. Although I do have a book that mixes sci fi with fantasy. High Wizardry, by Diane Duane. Kinda interesting mix of magic and sci fi.

shevet

I have rather a soft spot for the Space Trilogy - keep meaning to look out the extended version of That Hideous Strength, though. My copy is only the rather severely edited one.

I've got a certain amount of time for Lewis in general as a writer, though I think his theological streak actually comes through best when he's writing for the opposition, in The Screwtape Letters. Even though it is overtly didactic, though, the Space Trilogy is a thumpin' good read. In my opinion.

sander233

Yes, I have. And so has Bruce Dickinson.

worffan101

I read the first two, never did get around to the third.

A bit heavy on the Christian references and such, but well-written and enjoyable. Not my usual cup of tea, perhaps, but definitely books I'd recommend.

rooster707

Eh, read it, didn't like it. Can't remember why though. :S

gulberat

I would say I far prefer reading his theology directly, compared to the Space Trilogy, and of his fiction, I prefer The Screwtape Letters and the Chronicles of Narnia.

I think Lewis has particular difficulties characterizing women in a proper manner--so I think that keeps the Space Trilogy from aging well, whereas the works I mentioned (particularly The Screwtape Letters) have fared better, and his nonfiction the best of all by far.

wombat140

I read "That Hideous Strength" (number 3) first, and was put off by that. It's really well written and well thought out, not to say unusual - it's the only space fiction I know of that makes astrology a real thing, for instance! It's just the whole philosophy he ends up with - wipes out a hundred or so people, then smiles beatifically and says "they brought it on themselves and anyway all is for the best in God's plan". Made me feel I didn't want to spend any more time in this philosophy's company. (I may be doing the book an injustice - it was a couple of years ago I read it and I may not be remembering it quite right.)

Then a while later I read "Out of the Silent Planet" (number 1) and loved it. Go figure as the Americans say. Still haven't got around to "Perelandra". I think That Hideous Strength was maybe at a disadvantage - if you have a story where a Judeo-Christian-style God is openly part of the plot, you can do as you please in the first and second parts but the most obvious course for the last book is something with a definite smell of Apocalypse. And once you introduce demons into the plot - not just fantasy-monster demons, but actually the Devil - it can't end other than messily.

lordarathron

Yeah, read all three. Definitely unlike a lot of science fiction out there. I found it interesting how different the third book was from the first two. No trips to other planets, the main character of the series was kind of in the background for the most part, but I still enjoyed it. And, I mean, it's C.S. Lewis.
I will say it would make a dull movie, however :P
Also, apparently it came about as kind of a deal with J.R.R. Tolkien to each make a sci-fi book. C.S. Lewis was going to write about space travel, and Tolkien was going to write about time travel. Apparently Tolkien's was going to take contemporary people back in time to Middle Earth. Unfortunately for all of us, only Lewis came through on the deal.

wombat140

Not Middle Earth exactly; Atlantis. Some of it became the Numenor stories, I seem to remember reading - those mostly appear in "Unfinished Tales". I agree though, it's sad that there was never a Finished Tale!