Sunday, July 20, 2008
Perelandra, the second book in the sci-fi trilogy which began with Out of the Silent Planet, is a surprising read. It's Lewis at his darkest, and when read with a fair eye and open mind, it presents the reader with a moral and philosophical dilemma which can do nothing but force its way into serious consideration.
Dr. Elwin Ransom's return to earth did not end his relationships with other planets. This time he has been called to far-away planet Venus, known as Perelandra to its inhabitants, by his God in order to put a stop to a force that seeks to corrupt it in the same way earth was corrupted by the fall of Eden. Ransom finds himself alone on yet another strange planet, with nothing but his knowledge of the Old Solar language and his tenacity to help him. Against what? The return of his old colleague, Weston. Or at least, that's what he used to be. But Weston finds himself keeping strange company, and they have a vested interest in the fate of Perelandra. It's one middle-aged scholar against another, and the purity of this world lies in the balance.
""So you mean to try strength," it said in English, speaking thick.
"Put down that bird," said Ransom.
"But that is very foolish," said the Un-man. "Do you not know who I am?"
"I know what you are," said Ransom. "Which of them doesn't matter."
"And you think, little one," it answered, "that you can fight with me? You think He will help you, perhaps? Many thought that. I've known Him longer than you, little one. They all think He's going to help them -- till they come to their senses screaming recantations too late in the middle of the fire, mouldering in concentration camps, writhing under saws, jibbering in mad-houses, or nailed on to crosses. Could He help Himself?" -- and the creature suddenly threw back its head and cried in a voice so loud that it seemed the golden sky-roof must break, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani."
And the moment it had done so, Ransom felt certain that the sounds it had made were perfect Aramaic of the First Century. The Un-man was not quoting; it was remembering. These were the very words spoken from the Cross, treasured through all those years in the burning memory of the outcast creature which had heard them, and now brought forward in hideous parody...
In Perelandra, Lewis unfolds for us not only the thoughtfully compelling sequel to Out of the Silent Planet; he also leaves us questions concerned with darker things, questions which may have no immediate answers. But they are questions worth considering, and Lewis brings them to life with his insightful writing.
All the warnings which applied to Out of the Silent Planet apply here, with one addendum: the themes in this book do have darker strains than those of the previous. Lewis deals with them quite thoughtfully, and in many places they're subtle, but some of the imagery he creates and the questions he raises are difficult and, in places, disturbing.
However, this book is certainly worth the read. It's a stunning continuation of the trilogy and reminds the reader just why Lewis' writing has remained so compelling throughout the years.
Dr. Elwin Ransom's return to earth did not end his relationships with other planets. This time he has been called to far-away planet Venus, known as Perelandra to its inhabitants, by his God in order to put a stop to a force that seeks to corrupt it in the same way earth was corrupted by the fall of Eden. Ransom finds himself alone on yet another strange planet, with nothing but his knowledge of the Old Solar language and his tenacity to help him. Against what? The return of his old colleague, Weston. Or at least, that's what he used to be. But Weston finds himself keeping strange company, and they have a vested interest in the fate of Perelandra. It's one middle-aged scholar against another, and the purity of this world lies in the balance.
""So you mean to try strength," it said in English, speaking thick.
"Put down that bird," said Ransom.
"But that is very foolish," said the Un-man. "Do you not know who I am?"
"I know what you are," said Ransom. "Which of them doesn't matter."
"And you think, little one," it answered, "that you can fight with me? You think He will help you, perhaps? Many thought that. I've known Him longer than you, little one. They all think He's going to help them -- till they come to their senses screaming recantations too late in the middle of the fire, mouldering in concentration camps, writhing under saws, jibbering in mad-houses, or nailed on to crosses. Could He help Himself?" -- and the creature suddenly threw back its head and cried in a voice so loud that it seemed the golden sky-roof must break, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani."
And the moment it had done so, Ransom felt certain that the sounds it had made were perfect Aramaic of the First Century. The Un-man was not quoting; it was remembering. These were the very words spoken from the Cross, treasured through all those years in the burning memory of the outcast creature which had heard them, and now brought forward in hideous parody...
In Perelandra, Lewis unfolds for us not only the thoughtfully compelling sequel to Out of the Silent Planet; he also leaves us questions concerned with darker things, questions which may have no immediate answers. But they are questions worth considering, and Lewis brings them to life with his insightful writing.
All the warnings which applied to Out of the Silent Planet apply here, with one addendum: the themes in this book do have darker strains than those of the previous. Lewis deals with them quite thoughtfully, and in many places they're subtle, but some of the imagery he creates and the questions he raises are difficult and, in places, disturbing.
However, this book is certainly worth the read. It's a stunning continuation of the trilogy and reminds the reader just why Lewis' writing has remained so compelling throughout the years.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
0 comments:
Post a Comment