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)

If you like C S Lewis then this audio is GREAT!

The second in this series Lewis decides to get serious. While spinning a great and imaginative story he delves into the Garden of Eden. How was Eve tempted, what was it like for Eve, What did she think after seeing herself for the first time in a mirror. Of course the story actually takes place on Venus, but all the illusions are there. In my opion only CS Lewis can get into the mind of Satan better than anyone. A fantastic story on every level,

Paradigm Lost

Lewis makes you look at things you never had to see before, and his gaze is so compelling you want to come back and know what you saw. The reading is flawless.

Thought-provoking, life-changing, beautiful story!

Excellent story, beautiful imagery and language, and thought-provoking dialogue. Geoffrey Howard captures the characters' personality and depth in his performance. This is one of my favorite fictional works of all time and this version is awesome!

faith & cience fiction, rolled into one.

Great performance of a story of interplanetary travel written before man landed on the moon. A new twist on a medieval morality tale done well.

A beautifully told story full of the whole truth

I love the writing of C.S. Lewis generally and so thought to listen to this series. I admit that the first book of the series was somewhat dry to me but had a lingering effect. I see now that is was only a prelude to this story which tells the whole truth of the world and all that was created in the universe as well as the truth of the awesomeness of it's Lord and Creator. It also so keenly describes the modes and and veracity with which evil unendingly attacks us in this world. A necessary book for all Christians.

Beautiful Story and Eloquent Reading

I loved the book and the beautiful core of Godliness and hope for each man, woman and all of God's creatures.

A really good book

Perelandra is a great story about conflict between good and evil and how Dr. Elwin. Ransom has to save Venus from the devil.

Most Enjoyable

If you could sum up Perelandra in three words, what would they be?

History of Man

What other book might you compare Perelandra to and why?

Out of the Silent Planet
That Hideous Strength

What about Geoffrey Howard’s performance did you like?

Easy to understand. Great character inflection without over doing it.

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

No

excellent

wonderful story. the fictional version of the abolition of man. apologetics are unmistakably accurate.

Descriptive but engaging

This story was slow to begin heavy with descriptions but soon became very engaging. I loved the parallels drawn to Genesis!