Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Review: Out of the Silent Planet




Out of the Silent Planet by C.S. Lewis
Space Trilogy #1
Genre: Science Fiction
Pages: 224 (eReader)
Source: TLC Book Tours
Website | Facebook Fan Page| Twitter | Blog
Buy it: Amazon | Kindle | B&N | Book Depo

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.
Blog Widget by LinkWithin

14 comments:

  1. I am not a big Sci-Fi reader either but I have heard that C.S. Lewis is one of the better ones. It does sound like overall the book was a great read and I will have to look into it :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. C.S. Lewis has some great ones. This book tour was the first that I had heard of this particular one.

      Delete
  2. For C S Lewis to be a Christian his books and novels don't seem to exist on the same terms. Enjoyed reading your review.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. His books are Christian but there are a lot of symbols and analogies and he doesn't come right and say it. But this one definitely has a Christian take as well.

      Delete
  3. Eh, this doesn't seem like the type of Science Fiction I'd enjoy reading. Although CS Lewis fascinates me. I haven't read him yet, but I really want to read The Screwtape Letters and the Narnia series by him. I'm glad you enjoyed the book though.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You haven't read the Narnia series?! Wow those are amazing. Definitely start there.

      Delete
  4. I read little sci.fi too, and I do not know why. Might be that I am not a fan of guns and ships and all that

    ReplyDelete
  5. Science fiction is a rare choice for me, but I have read a limited amount of C.S. Lewis' other work and have enjoyed it. I wasn't even aware of this series. Thanks for the review.
    - FABR Steph

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've read other C.S. Lewis' work too. This one is a bit different. I'd say it is a bit more adult.

      Delete
  6. I like all different genres and enjoy reading sci-fi every now and then. I have read other books by CS Lewis- but I have never heard of this one. I guess I will have to read this one because I do think he is a good writer. Thanks for posting about this and letting me know about something new.

    ~Jess

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm an eclectic reader and I think that sets me a part a bit so I try to stay true and be willing to give all genres a try.

      Delete
  7. I'm glad that the SciFi elements of the book didn't completely impede your enjoyment of the story. Thanks for being a part of the tour!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was definitely enjoyable but it shed light on my own reading habbits.

      Delete

I absolutely LOVE all comments! So please feel free to chime in with your thoughts, questions, opinions, or whatever else you have to say.

Don't forget to check back as I reply to comments. Dialogue is good right?

09 10