Time Warp
C.S. Lewis's "Space" Trilogy
Randy Streu




Of all the space-based

science fiction to come out of 1930s and '40s, Lewis's "Space" trilogy is among the most unique.  The three books are self-contained stories, but also work into a more complex, complete narrative.

In short, Lewis's Trilogy is about a man, Ransom, who is taken into space and meets the inhabitants of, first Mars, then Venus -- and the Creator of those planets and races.  In these meetings, it is revealed that there is a war going on between the forces of Oyarsa and Maledil -- the rulers of the Universe, and of the Solar System in particular -- and those of "The Bent One," who lives in exile on "The Silent Planet" of Earth. 

Book 1, "Out of the Silent Planet," details Ransom's first forays into this new territory, kidnapped by unethical and ambitious scientists as, they believe, a sacrifice for one of the races on the planet Mars.  Published in 1938, this book has much in common with other space-based literature of the period: new and exotic lands, interesting -- and some potentially dangerous -- alien creatures, and the ultimate discovery of some hidden truth about the Universe.

Book 2, "Perelandra," features Ransom being taken by Oyarsa to the planet Venus, a literal paradise, to help the two inhabitants avoid the folly of Adam and Eve on Earth.  A darker, but more spiritual work than the first, "Perelandra" sees Ransom struggling with his own fallen humanity and doubt, even as he works to protect the innocence of others.

The final book of the series, "That Hideous Strength," is also both the darkest and most human of the pieces.  Lewis subtitled the book "A Modern Fairy-Tale for Grown-ups," and indeed, with the whole of the book set on Earth, it is far less a "science fantasy" like the first two, and more an early "urban fantasy."  Set against the backdrop of a dark social engineering conspiracy echoing the later-published "1984" in the scope of its depravity, this book brings to a head the battle revealed in the first.

The three books are charming and witty, providing a glimpse into English life around World War II, while also providing timeless stories.  In many ways, the first two books seem dated, thanks in large part to the use of local planets like Venus and Mars as settings.  Even so, this doesn't detract from the entertainment.  But it is the third book that really stands out as not merely ahead of its time, but eerily prescient.  It's a testament to Lewis's skill as storyteller that what were charming space adventures ends in a political dark fantasy in the third book, without breaking the narrative between the three.

The books needn't be read together to make sense, but the deeper story definitely makes it worthwhile to do so, and in order.  Family friendly, indeed, Christian, science fiction and fantasy is still a rarity today, and it is a treat to be able to read an early master like Lewis and discover exactly how large a debt is owed by modern fantasists.