Perelandra

In the tranquil, yet complex layers of C.S. Lewis’ “Perelandra,” the second volume in the Space Trilogy, we plunge into an otherworldly journey that stretches the boundaries of our understanding and challenges the very core of our ethical and spiritual beliefs. It opens with the unassuming scholar, Elwin Ransom, just as he is summoned by the enigmatic, celestial entities from the first book, “Out of the Silent Planet.” This time, the protagonist finds himself on a mission to the distant planet Perelandra (Venus). Ransom’s calling is not clear at first, yet he accepts the voyage, guided by an unspoken faith and driven by a deep sense of duty. Geoffrey Howard’s deft narration enters at this juncture, adding a rich and textured voice that beautifully frames the narrative’s ethereal tone. Ransom arrives on Perelandra to discover a world vibrant with life, a world shaped by pristine oceans, floating islands, and exotic creatures. Here, he meets Tinidril, the Eve of this new Eden. She is an innocent being, untouched by malice, living in harmony with the world around her. However, the tranquillity of Perelandra is threatened with the arrival of another earthman, Weston, who embodies the twisted embodiment of human ambition and arrogance. Weston, previously a man of science with a desire for space domination, now claims to be the bearer of a new spirituality, one that seeks to discard old moral codes. He attempts to manipulate Tinidril, leading her to defy the moral law of her world – not to stay overnight on the Fixed Land. This is reminiscent of the Biblical story of Adam and Eve, and the temptation that led to the fall of humankind. Ransom, comprehending Weston’s devious intentions, grapples with his role in this cosmic drama. Despite the fantastical setting, the characters in “Perelandra” possess an undeniable realness. The struggles they face and the choices they make reverberate with a profound, universal echo, reflecting the timeless questions of good and evil, free will, and destiny. The Defector and The English Spy are not the same category of stories but the suspense and the strength of the stories is the same.