Out of the Silent Planet

Ransom Trilogy, Book 1

By: C. S. Lewis

Narrated by: Geoffrey Howard

Length: 5 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

Out of the Silent Planet is the first novel of the Cosmic Trilogy, considered to be C.S. Lewis' chief contribution to the science fiction genre. The trilogy concerns Dr. Ransom, a linguist, who, like Christ, was offered a ransom for mankind. The first two novels are planetary romances with elements of medieval mythology. Each planet is seen as having a tutelary spirit; those of the other planets are both good and accessible, while that of Earth is fallen, twisted, and not known directly by most humans. The story is powerfully imagined, and the effects of lesser gravity on Martian planet and animal life is vividly rendered.

©1938, 1944, 1945 by C.S. Lewis Pte Ltd. (P)2000 Blackstone Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"A delightful fantasy." (New York Herald Tribune)

"C.S. Lewis...is a master of fantasy." (Saturday Review)

Maybe it takes a few times to get it

This is my second listen and I I feel I enjoyed much more than the first time as I was missing much of the meaning. This time I had to revisit a few passages but I really started to understand some of what Lewis was trying to get across about human nature. I will need to read this book one more time.

This book reminded me a lot of the Princess of Mars, which I really enjoyed.

The book loses me with the unique names of the characters and I mix up who is who.

A Delight

Food for the brain and soul. a delight...couldn't stop listening till it was regrettably over.

Loved it!

Love the description of Malacandra, and the beings that inhabit it... The science is hokey, but when you consider it was written in 1938, and that what we knew about space or the planets was extremely limited, it is easily overlooked. As a friend of mine pointed out, at that time computers had not even been invented .

Interesting pre 40's scifi

Interesting adventure story from before the 40's with old views of Imperialism being examined for thier faults.

He who has ears…

There is much to be learned from this book. He who has ears, let him hear.

C. S. Lewis's take on Edgar Rice Burroughs's Mars

Lots of authors have been inspired by Edgar Rice Burroughs's Barsoom books, and it's fascinating to see how these pastiches differ from the original. If you're Robert E. Howard (author of the Conan stories), such a story would naturally involve fighting aliens using various swords. If you're C. S. Lewis, such a story would naturally involve discussions of theology with aliens. And that's exactly what you get in this series of books. It doesn't have the silly footnotes that some authors throw in to emulate Burroughs (1 sleen is the amount of theology that 1 blorg can discuss per squark), but they're excellent stories nevertheless. If you're a fan of the genre, you'll absolutely love these books.

Childhood Favorite, Never Gets Old

I've loved the ransom trilogy and re-read it all through growing up. Often fallen asleep to it on my old ipod shuffle, so now I'm exstatic that it's on audible.

Wow.

Wow. Just wow. Why did I wait so long to read this? I loved the Chronicles of Narnia as a kid. This book is fascinating and worth the read at age 31.

love it

first of all. Ransom. humble. brave. kick butt.
second. the Unman. SERiously creepy. unforgettable.
great story, even with all the 60sstylepsychodelicmantages
one of my favorites.
lotta theological thoughts tucked in there too. things that make ya go hmmm.

Absolute perfection!

C.S. Lewis, always a clever genius no doubt, enthralls the reader again with the most mind bending and entertaining work of art.

I loved the performance! Geoffrey Howard’s smooth, melodic, and utterly believable voice did such justice to this great work.