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)

Very good

This book was my 2nd favorite in the series. I've listened to it twice now, and recommened it for any Christian. The narrator does a nice job. The book is engaging and well written, though a little dated, because it was pretty early for SciFi. This series is not as fun as the Narnia series, but has more theology and christian philosophy. It was sometimes challenging to think about what Lewis was teaching at the same time as following the story, but well worth it.

hands down my favorite series of all time

this book begins my favorite series of books ever. Lewis's best work in my opinion

Interesting & Pleasing

"Out of the Silent Planet" - A great storyline by C. S. Lewis, where he intertwines his thoughtful philosophical musings about existence, sin, death, angels, etc., in a fictional tale of space travel to another world.

Love this book!

I live science fiction and CS Lewis did a wonderful job with this book! I have read some of his theology books and was curious about how he would wire a science fiction book! He did not disappoint!

Classic C.S. Lewis

This book has amazing descriptions of space considering it was written in 1938. Lewis is very creative in imagining a space ship and space travel, and what the earth looks like from space. The story is vintage Lewis, creative fiction with theological implications. We, the people of earth, are "bent" by the king of our world, and live in a planet that is "silent" while the rest of the heavens has a kind of communication. It feels like old-fashioned sci-fi because there's a great deal of talk and description rather than plot and action. For instance, there's significant discussion that earthlings are people of fear, because we create fear.

SciFi Backdrop for Theological Revelation

What did you love best about Out of the Silent Planet?

C.S. Lewis does it again! I am amazed at his ability to think of technologies and civilizations that he had yet to encounter for this story.

What did you like best about this story?

The best part is that the story isn't even about scifi! It's about us, humanity, and how we have been deceived. He incorporates the Heavens in a way that explains angels, God, and the Big Picture.

Which character – as performed by Geoffrey Howard – was your favorite?

Obviously Dr. Ransom was the main (90%) of the dialogue.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No, but it did make me think and that's better than both.

Any additional comments?

Geoffrey Howard and C.S. Lewis must have been good friends or maybe he is an avid admirer of him b/c he is the only person I have heard read Lewis.

Reading va hearing

I've read this at least ten times, but not for several decades. What a revelation it is to hear it again as an old woman vs a young one! Hearing allows a different relationship with the text. Thanks to all.

Brilliant!

I have always love the way Clive Staples Lewis thinks. He express many things in a way that I didn't think of before but upon closer inspection I find I agree. Other things I'm still pondering 😇. And not only that but some things he points out only some one who talks to God, who communes with Him, and contemplates on the things of God, thinks about. I know the difference between shallow Christian ideology expressed by casual Christians who "admire" God and goodness but they are content being in the family and those who seek Him as hidden treasure and are not content merely doing Christian things, being around Christians and knowing the lingo but they want to truly want to know "Him" and everything about Him, His word, and His world ( not just the physical but the spiritual realm as well). I know the difference because I am one of the latter.
Hope Dana

Eye-Opening!

C. S. Lewis is a profound and prolific writer especially in his work of fiction. The message of our Humanity needing God is a deep truth.

Good read

my first C.S. Lewis sci-fi and I thought it was good. I had a few minor struggles with the old English vocabulary.