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)

Old form science fiction

Since reading Alister McGrath's new Biography of CS Lewis earlier this year I have been trying to read through a number of Lewis books I had not previously read.

I have heard a lot of positive reviews about Lewis’ Space Trilogy (or Ransom Trilogy as it is sometimes called.) But they never really interested me. I am not sure why, maybe because I have such good feelings toward Narnia or because I have such a hard time seeing Lewis as a Science Fiction author.

So I had pretty low expectations coming into the book. The main character, Elwin Ransom, a professor of Philology (I had to look it up, it is basically historical linguistics), is kidnapped by two brothers. These somewhat deranged, but brilliant brothers have built a spaceship and gone to Mars. But for some unknown reason they needed another person and kidnapped Ransom as he was hiking through a rural part of the UK on vacation.

The book was originally published in 1938 and feels like the older style science fiction of HG Wells or Jules Verne. And it is clearly not focused on the science part of science fiction. Lewis is using the book to explore ideas not science.

At first I thought that Lewis was turning Mars into a type of Eden, where sin would be introduced. But I realized that he was not creating Eden, but a world without the fall.

I remember very few things about 1st grade. But one of the few things I remember, is that in the Christian school where I was attending (I started public school the next year), my teacher suggested that possibly the bible passage where Jesus said he would leave the 99 to seek out the one lost sheep was actually talking about the fact that the Earth is the one and there were actually many (99 I am pretty she was using as a literary expression not a literal number) worlds that never fell and never needed Christ to come and die. Having read this book, I wonder if my first grade teacher (an older woman that I remember being in her 50s or 60s) was actually a fan of CS Lewis.

Do you think we're truly alone in all of creation?

I absolutely loved this book. It is written in older English style so I had to get my millennial brain warmed up but wow, this is one I will listen to again and again! Please enjoy yourself and one of the greatest writers who ever lived in our world while he explains the reality that has been hidden from us for far too long.

pleasantly surprised

I have been pleasantly surprised at this story from CS. Lewis. If you are a Christian...this is clearly a commentary on the much bigger picture of the universe as God made it. I see a clear picture of how horrible humans are...and how easily we are swayed into wrong thinking if we are not grounded in a solid relationship with our creator and Savior.

excellent

can't stop listening. amazing the vivid pictures and understanding of space travel for the time it was written...

Great storyline

The narrator did a great job with distinguishing voices of characters. The story itself is a wonderful some of fascinating possibilities that promote exciting thinking about the realms of space. Enjoyed all aspects of it.

Different

Quite different than I imagined although this is only the second series I've read of Lewis. I'll be reading book two of this triology.

1st book

Love the reader. Of course the author is beyond compare. he creates a story that pushes you to think and dream.

Best Trilogy ever!!!

It's quite addictive. The story is Rich beyond belief. Be ready to find deeper things.

Classic

Nice even pace narrator. Felt like I could get inside the book again. Glad it included the final scripts.

Different C.S.Lewis Story

I may have to go through this book again, some parts of it were hard to follow. I did not find it as interesting as some of his other writing.