Science Fiction
Perelandra
Back of the Book:
The second book in C.S. Lewis’ acclaimed Space Trilogy, which includes Out of the Silent Planet and That Hideous Strength, Perelandra continues the adventures of the extraordinary Dr. Ransom. Pitted against that greatest of human weaknesses, temptation, the great man must battle evil on a new world—Perelandra—when it is invaded by the Devil’s agent. Will Perelandra succumb to the Devil’s influence, or will it throw off the yoke of corruption and achieve a spiritual perfection as yet unknown to man? The outcome of Dr. Ransom’s mighty struggle will alone determine its fate.
My Review:
This book was a fascinating study into what might have happened on Earth when the devil was tempting Eve. I’m sure he didn’t just come up to her one day and say, “eat the fruit,” with her going, “OK,” and blindly walking over to take a bite. It had to be some sort of process where she was convinced that this was the proper path to take. This books follows what one could assume would be a likely process the devil would have taken. I’m sure it’s not exactly the same, as no one but her and the devil knows what was really said. But I do think this book was great at getting you to think about what would have had to happen for The Fall to take place. I had never given it much thought.
It was a little slow in places, and I did skip over a few pages at the end that I got bored with. I also didn’t care for the process that eventually took place that involved Ransom and the devil, but I’m sure Lewis had some reason for doing it that way. It’s just not what I would have pictured God sanctioning. I’m glad I read it, though.