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From the Bookshelf of Never too Late to Read Classics…

Out of the Silent Planet (The Space Trilogy, #1)

C.S. Lewis

Start date: April 1, 2020

Finish date: April 30, 2020

Discussion: Science Fiction and Fantasy

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Showing 2 of 12 topics — 1,169 comments total

Science Fiction and Fantasy

* 2025 Sci-Fi and Fantasy Reading Schedule
By Book Nerd , Purple Book Horse · 14 posts · 147 views

last updated Jan 05, 2025 07:59PM

2025 September - The Inverted World by Christopher Priest
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last updated Sep 13, 2025 09:18PM

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What Members Thought

Jul 29, 2011 Yair Ben-Zvi rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This book grew on me, immensely. Granted, the first few chapters (including the near suicidal beginning where it feels so vague and innocuous that you want to tear your eyes out to stop it) are none too impressive but this is more than made up for in the books conflict and eventual resolution. Though the sequel baiting is obvious and some of the typos (at least of my edition) glaring, for a fantasy book written in 1938 and being less a tome than a novella, this story holds up remarkably well. Ag ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Apr 01, 2024 Natalie rated it really liked it

Shelves: science-fiction

This was an enjoyable read though it was more about a fantastical place and human perception of it than a sci fi novel. The science involved is light (essentially just space travel) but the invented planet (Malacandra) is rather interesting and the main character curious.
Ransom, the main character, is walking through the countryside when he stumbles upon a house and tries to get in to seek shelter. The house is occupied by Devine and Weston, one of whom knew Ransom previously. They abduct him a This was an enjoyable read though it was more about a fantastical place and human perception of it than a sci fi novel. The science involved is light (essentially just space travel) but the invented planet (Malacandra) is rather interesting and the main character curious.
Ransom, the main character, is walking through the countryside when he stumbles upon a house and tries to get in to seek shelter. The house is occupied by Devine and Weston, one of whom knew Ransom previously. They abduct him and take him in their weak and odd space ship to deliver him as prisoner to Malacandra. Ransom, instead of being frightened, is rather curious. They suffer extreme light, heat, and cold during their space journey, but finally arrive at Malacandra.
Malacandra is a beautiful planet with rich vegetation in green and purple, blue water, and steep hills. Ransom sets out to explore and learns there are creatures called hrossa, sorns, and pfifltrigg. They pay homage to the leader: a giant creature called Oyarsa who is wise and somewhat of a spirit rather than a bodily creature. There are also eldil who are light filled, floating creatures who can only be seen if you are looking for them.
Ransom, rather quickly, learns to communicate with the different creatures and takes a journey to see the Oyarsa. Meanwhile, Devine and Weston are on the offense and using guns, shoot at several hrossa. Ransom explains to the creatures that men like them are "bent" meaning dishonest and evil and suggests they kill all three humans. But the creatures are kind and do not know war or hatred. Ransom is given the choice to stay or return to earth. He chooses to return with Devine and Weston who are not good people, but somehow, on an ailing ship, get back to earth.
Like H.G. Wells novels, the main character shares his story with a writer and comments on all he has learned from his adventures. There are definite Christian symbols in the book. And it is more about an exploration of another planet than about space travel.
The imaginative world and Ransom's openness are very entertaining. The prose is okay and the pacing quick. However the characters are a bit wooden and the science aspects rather weak. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Feb 10, 2023 Kara rated it really liked it

I want sure if I was going to like this book. I am not a huge fan of science fiction. I am, however, a huge fan of C.S. Lewis and I found this book fascinating. I am convinced that Lewis could’ve written a telephone book and I’d find it riveting. He was a master story-teller with a brilliant imagination, both of which are on display in this book.

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Mar 07, 2008 Becca rated it liked it

Shelves: christianity-religion, scifi, fiction, fiction-religious, my-childhood-books

Oct 31, 2020 Brianna rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2020-reading-challenge, reading-as-a-family

Apr 10, 2009 Christian marked it as sci-fi

Jul 16, 2010 Katherine Sas rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: sf, inklings, lewis

Jun 29, 2011 Gary Smith rated it liked it

Jan 15, 2012 Pernille marked it as to-read

Jan 20, 2012 Esmeralda marked it as to-read

Aug 13, 2012 Jose Pacheco rated it it was ok

Shelves: audiobook

Oct 18, 2012 Tim marked it as to-read

Shelves: space-trilogy

Dec 06, 2012 Amanda marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Feb 26, 2013 Carrie marked it as to-read

1 like · Like

Jan 14, 2015 Karigan marked it as to-read

Mar 11, 2015 Amy marked it as to-read

Shelves: npr-100-best-sci-fi-and-fantasy, science-fiction

Dec 30, 2016 Ashleigh marked it as to-read

Jun 27, 2021 Mary rated it liked it

Apr 02, 2018 Petre marked it as to-read

Apr 07, 2018 Jaci McCon marked it as to-read

Shelves: dont-have-yet

Dec 17, 2018 Douglas Beagley added it

Feb 28, 2019 Jack added it

Shelves: scifi-fantasy

Apr 13, 2019 Kate Thompson marked it as to-read

May 04, 2020 Book2Dragon marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Jul 17, 2020 Kim marked it as to-read

Feb 23, 2021 Melissa (ladybug) rated it liked it

Shelves: yearly-challenge

Nov 10, 2022 Dan | The Ancient Reader marked it as to-read

Shelves: sci-fi, 2023-giants-of-literature-challenge

Dec 06, 2022 Stephanie Salinas marked it as to-read

Sep 02, 2024 Seth rated it it was amazing

Nov 11, 2024 Allison boozy bookworm marked it as to-read

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