C.S. Lewis
Perelandra (1944)
Author: C.S. Lewis
Genre (and subgenre): Science Fiction (Christian)
Plot Summary:
In this second book of the Outer Space trilogy, Dr. Elwin Ransom, a middle-aged philologist from Cambridge, has again become unexpectedly entangled in a battle between good and evil. He is taken to Perelandra, which we know as Venus, by an Eldila or archangel for an unknown mission. Perelandra is a watery paradise where floating ‘islands’ of vegetation move about freely on the waves. He meets the Lady of Perelandra who has become separated from her husband, the King who is the only other inhabitant. The Lady is humanlike but she is able to speak directly to Maleldil, the Father and Creator. Ransom and the Lady witness the arrival of a spaceship bearing Professor Weston, (Ransom’s nemesis from the first novel) who has been possessed by a demon. Weston attempts to persuade the Lady to break Maleldil’s commandment against spending the night on fixed land. Ransom prays for a miracle to save the Lady, when he realizes to his horror that he is the miracle and must physically do battle with the Devil in the form of Weston. After a bloody fight to the death that takes him to a frightening underworld and back, Ransom eventually triumphs and witnesses a new age.
Time Period: 1942-3
Comments:
Although this book is frequently cataloged as Science Fiction, it is a theological work that happens to be set on another planet and may not appeal to Science Fiction readers at all. Philosophical in tone, it would not appeal to people who like their faith described in clear-cut, simple terms. Through conversation and metaphor it very deliberately examines the Christian concepts of sin, grace, free will, predestination, evil and the human soul. The style is literary and a little dense at times. It manages to weave mythology, Christian theology and elements of epic poetry. For the first three-quarters of the book the pacing is slow and focuses on the debates between Ransom, Weston and the Lady, then the action becomes more physical and takes on a mythical, epic style for the battle between Ransom and Weston. The final scene is one of celebration and has a psalm-like poetry to it.
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