One of the best out of the series. More people should read this genre from C.S. Lewis
R E K. (bigstone) - , reviewed That Hideous Strength (Space Trilogy, Bk 3) on + 1453 more book reviews
With the reading of this book, I finished the C.S. Lewis Space Trilogy which had been on my reading list for years. This is a true fantasy where humans visit uninhabitable planets. They meet aliens with unbelievable powers who travel from one planet to another. The key character is a scientist named Ransom whose adventures and experiences span the three novels. In this finale he returns to earth to find a world gone mad and a corporation obsessed with âscienceâ. Governed by power hungry humans they seek power and control of all around them, experimenting on earthly life, humans and animals alike. .
Gathering a few humans who seeks to preserve their life, their city and earth itself, he refers often to the beings that are his masters. It soon becomes obvious that to save it all, Merlin must be raised from his grave. Obviously, Merlin didn't die. He was just in a deep sleep. When Merlin appears he has difficulty adjusting to the world he sees which is so different from what he knew. However, Ransom is patient and the master creatures infuse him with powers to cope with the evil corporation and its leaders. The obvious theme is that it is humans not science that is corrupting the earth. While their power and influence is widespread, just one man, Merlin, tackles the problem.
As I read the novel I wondered who the character, Merlin, represented. Was it God or was it really the alien beings that Ransom called his masters. Reference is made to evil aliens as well as good but this reader was never certain. One thing I do know. This space fantasy trilogy is so entertaining reads that I recommend them to others who may have overlooked them.
Gathering a few humans who seeks to preserve their life, their city and earth itself, he refers often to the beings that are his masters. It soon becomes obvious that to save it all, Merlin must be raised from his grave. Obviously, Merlin didn't die. He was just in a deep sleep. When Merlin appears he has difficulty adjusting to the world he sees which is so different from what he knew. However, Ransom is patient and the master creatures infuse him with powers to cope with the evil corporation and its leaders. The obvious theme is that it is humans not science that is corrupting the earth. While their power and influence is widespread, just one man, Merlin, tackles the problem.
As I read the novel I wondered who the character, Merlin, represented. Was it God or was it really the alien beings that Ransom called his masters. Reference is made to evil aliens as well as good but this reader was never certain. One thing I do know. This space fantasy trilogy is so entertaining reads that I recommend them to others who may have overlooked them.
can you do better than C.S.Lewis.
A must for the C.S.L. collector!
Fascinating and fun Wells-ian intellectual sci-fi with Christian overtones.
The Space Trilogy. An amazing trilogy that I absolutely loved reading. It was utterly unlike anything I expected, yet still managed to far surpass any expectation and pre-conceived notion about the text.
Each book in the trilogy can be read separately, or in the larger unit, which is what I did.
...
That Hideous Strength was interesting. The Medieval feel to it was nice (I like Arthur and the Round Table and such) and I thought Lewis did a good job of bringing tension to the table and keep your emotions tied up. In a good way, of course, it made you want to keep reading - not stop reading. It also references Numinor. If you aren't familiar with Numinor, read the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. I thought that was nifty, it gave Middle-earth and the Trilogy a more "real" feel because there was a cross-reference. All in all, though, this is definitely my least favorite in the trilogy. I think Lewis tried to pack a little much into the book (it's twice as thick as the others, and a much slower read.)
Really all of the books were wonderful and I highly recommend them. Middle school-aged and above should be able to appreciate the Space Trilogy. If you can only read one of them, for some reason, I would suggest Perelandra, mainly because of the depth of thought in that book. I would recommend Out of the Silent Planet if you want to reawaken a sense of wonder, and I would submit That Hideous Strength to you if you were interested in modern development and a modern good vs evil in a somewhat more applicable way as it deals post-fall instead of pre-fall as in Perelandra.
C.S. Lewis is just an amazing writer. I have never read something of his I did not enjoy. Not that I've read everything he wrote, but I have read a decent portion of it. If you ever want to be challenged and read something understandable and well written, pick up C.S. Lewis.
(originally published: http://sophiesmindset.blogspot.com/2007/11/space-trilogy.html)
Each book in the trilogy can be read separately, or in the larger unit, which is what I did.
...
That Hideous Strength was interesting. The Medieval feel to it was nice (I like Arthur and the Round Table and such) and I thought Lewis did a good job of bringing tension to the table and keep your emotions tied up. In a good way, of course, it made you want to keep reading - not stop reading. It also references Numinor. If you aren't familiar with Numinor, read the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. I thought that was nifty, it gave Middle-earth and the Trilogy a more "real" feel because there was a cross-reference. All in all, though, this is definitely my least favorite in the trilogy. I think Lewis tried to pack a little much into the book (it's twice as thick as the others, and a much slower read.)
Really all of the books were wonderful and I highly recommend them. Middle school-aged and above should be able to appreciate the Space Trilogy. If you can only read one of them, for some reason, I would suggest Perelandra, mainly because of the depth of thought in that book. I would recommend Out of the Silent Planet if you want to reawaken a sense of wonder, and I would submit That Hideous Strength to you if you were interested in modern development and a modern good vs evil in a somewhat more applicable way as it deals post-fall instead of pre-fall as in Perelandra.
C.S. Lewis is just an amazing writer. I have never read something of his I did not enjoy. Not that I've read everything he wrote, but I have read a decent portion of it. If you ever want to be challenged and read something understandable and well written, pick up C.S. Lewis.
(originally published: http://sophiesmindset.blogspot.com/2007/11/space-trilogy.html)
