Out of the Silent Planet by C.S. Lewis
Space Trilogy #1
Genre: Science Fiction
Pages: 224 (eReader)
Source: TLC Book Tours
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Description:
Out of the Silent Planet introduces Dr. Ransom and chronicles his abduction by a megalomaniacal physicist and his accomplice via space ship to the planet Malacandra. The two men are in need of a human sacrifice and Dr. Ransom would seem to fit the bill. Dr. Ransom escapes upon landing, though, and goes on the run, a stranger in a land that, like Jonathan Swift's Lilliput, is enchanting in its difference from Earth and instructive in its similarity.
My Rating:
My Review: Out of the Silent Planet is a re-release that was written before and during World War II. Dr. Ransom finds much more than he bargained when he sets out to walk and explore his surroundings. Stumbling upon and old school acquaintance, Dr. Ronson soon finds himself on Malacandra on a planet he never believed habitable and among creatures unlike those he has ever known. Fearing for his life, he tries to persevere from day-to-day while questioning every instinct he has ever known.
While the description may be a bit vague, the beauty of this book is the discovery of each creature and element of the Malacandra world and I don't want to ruin those first puzzlements and epiphanies for any would-be reader. I enjoyed this read for its unique and refreshing method of discussing humanity. I also found myself fascinated and curious about the creatures as they were introduced. I never knew what was going to happen next and couldn't help wondering if Dr. Ronson would get home. The descriptions were vivid. There were just enough to describe a complex image of creatures and a world unlike anything we've seen but the descriptions weren't to the point where I became bored.
I find I read very little science fiction and I couldn't explain why other than to say that I didn't know of any good science fiction reads. I'm also finding that the other worldness often found in science fiction can be a bit much if there is nothing to compare or hinge the imagery on. I think that is my only real issue with this book. It took a little more time for me to read an otherwise short book, because I really had to stop and try to conjure and image to fit the descriptions and the actions because everything was so different. This pulled me out of the story a bit. I'm so accustomed to images playing in my mind as I read even when reading fantasy and other genres. But this science-fiction was a little more work for me.
This read also satisfies the eclectic reader challenge.
