Perelandra

Ransom Trilogy, Book 2

By: C. S. Lewis

Narrated by: Geoffrey Howard

Length: 7 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

C. S. Lewis’s Space Trilogy, of which Perelandra is the second volume, stands alongside such works as Albert Camus’s The Plague and George Orwell’s 1984 as a timely parable that has become timeless, beloved by succeeding generations as much for the sheer wonder of its storytelling as for the significance of the moral concerns.

Readers who fall in love with Lewis’s fantasy series The Chronicles of Namia as children unfailingly cherish his Space Trilogy as adults; it, too, brings to life strange and magical realms in which epic battles are fought between the forces of light and those of darkness. But in the many layers of its allegory, and the sophistication and piercing brilliance of its insights into the human condition, it occupies a place among the English language’s most extraordinary works for any age, and for all time.

Perelandra is a planet of pleasure, an unearthly, misty world of strange desires, sweet smells, and delicious tastes, where beasts are friendly and naked beauty is unashamed, a new Garden of Eden, where the story of the oldest temptation is enacted in an intriguingly new way. Here, in the second part of C. S. Lewis’s acclaimed Ransom Trilogy, Dr. Ransom’s adventures continue against the backdrop of a religious allegory that, while it may seem quaint in its treatment of women today, nonetheless shows the capability of science to be an evil force tempting a ruler away from the path that has produced a paradisiacal kingdom. Will Perelandra succumb to this malevolent being, who strives to create a new world order, or will it throw off the yoke of corruption and achieve a spiritual perfection as yet unknown to man?

©1944 Clive Staples Lewis (P)2000 Blackstone Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"Geoffrey Howard's skilled narration keeps the listener riveted. His scholarly handling of the text minimizes characterization, while easily distinguishing the players. Howard's respect for the subject matter equals Lewis's own and entices the listener to address serious questions of temptation and morality." (AudioFile)

Excellent Read

I enjoyed this book, and the series. The deep descriptions of another world and its flora and fauna is breathtaking. Sure there are preachy parts, but it wrapped in dialogue that keeps it interesting.

Great Book!

You should read, or listen to, this book. It’s a very good one. Idk what else to say. Read it yourself and you’ll understand.

I love the parallels to the Bible 

Good story. Liked it better than the first in the series. However, it makes more sense after you read the first book.

Parallels

CS Lewis was Inspired by God, at times during the story I could feel the Spirit’s presence.

Concepts of space travel and their relationship with God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit

Enjoyed the reader very much and the pace of the story was just about right

a simple guy beats up satan

I didn't like how it talked about Satan it was not very cool not very cool

Good to Hear This Again

The last time I heard this book, it was read to us by my father. It was good to hear it again.

A story for the ages

I first read this book 50 years ago. This reading brings this timeless story back fresh and new.

Surprised

I am not sure what I exptected but this is a great listen. It helped me understand what Eve must have been like in the garden.

Fantastic Supposal

Lewis' imagination takes you to a parallel world and supposes what would happen if man did not fall. He does this with a splendid blend of sci-fi and illustrated christian life.

It would be fantastic to see this made as a movie with the Avatar technology set.
This is without a doubt one of my favorite novels by Lewis along with That Hideous Strength.