Book Review: Perelandra

[deckardcanine]

Almost exactly a year ago, I reviewed Out of the Silent Planet. Perelandra is the immediate sequel and makes numerous references to the former. It manages to be a little less credible to modern readers. Spaceship logistics are one thing; letting a naked man feel perfectly comfortable on Venus is quite another. (The constant but little-mentioned nudity is one of several reasons that Hollywood will never adapt the story.)

C.S. Lewis has used the first person in fiction before, most notably in The Great Divorce. This time it's odd: He features as a character only in the first couple chapters, wherein he talks with returning protagonist Edwin Ransom, who even calls him "Lewis" at times. After that, it's all secondhand reporting of Ransom's adventure, parts of which defy his repetition in words. I'm not fond of writers leaving so much to the strained imagination, but I give Lewis a pass because what he does describe sounds pretty intoxicating.

Like Mars in the first book, Venus is an unfallen world with more virtuous denizens than any you'll meet. Unlike Mars, its life is not fading but dawning, hence a great deal of imaginative beauty and a dearth of creatures smarter than dogs. (At least the domestic dragon is cute.) Lewis, not known for subtlety, explicitly compares it to the Garden of Eden more than once. That similarity is the basis for the new conflict: Ransom has been sent to prevent a similar Fall. But what's the best way to counter the wit and patience of such a long-time enemy? Why even try when God could enforce His will in other ways?

It seems to me that Lewis doesn't answer all the questions he raises. Perhaps he did a little too good a job with the villain. Not that you're apt to root for or admire the villain, like Lewis complained about many readers of Paradise Lost.

The book has the rare distinction of slow action but quick page turning. Things grow a bit dull near the end, when the main conflict is over and we're left with basically a divine after-party. Nevertheless, I seldom finish a 180-page book in so little time. If even my philosophy-weary mom enjoyed it once, there's a fair chance that you will too.

Comments

[thatcatgirl.livejournal.com]

I keep meaning to go back and read those, I started the first a loong time ago and don't remember why I stopped, what I remember of where I was in it was interesting.