Lewis (the fictionalized character of C.S. Lewis) is called to the home of his friend Dr. Elwin Ransom on "business." The business turns out to be preparing Ransom for a supernaturally commanded and orchestrated journey to Perelandra, the planet Venus. Ransom tells Lewis he must also expect a summons from Oyarsa, ruler of Malacandra (Mars), at which time he and a doctor must be prepared for Ransom's return. After many months the summons comes. Ransom returns and relates to them the story of Perelandra. A world of seas and floating, multicolored islands, Perelandra is filled with mystical creatures and almost overpowering pleasures. Only two people inhabit this Garden of Eden - the beautiful and innocent Green Lady, and the King, from whom she has been separated. But shortly after Ransom arrives, so does another man from Earth, a physicist named Weston. Ransom and Weston had tangled before when Weston and a colleague kidnapped Ransom and took him to Malacandra for what they assumed was going to be a human sacrifice by the Malacandrian natives. Weston's mission on Malacandra had been the extermination of the native races in preparation for human colonization. Ransom expects no better in this Perelandrian confrontation. Through Weston a deadly evil enters Perelandra, intent on bringing sin and death to the planet. The evil one tries to deceive the Lady into joining its cause as Ransom continuously parries and reveals its deceits. As he and the Lady begin to weary and weaken under the bombardment of half-truths and emotional trauma, Ransom realizes he has one last avenue of attack. Almost without hope, but relying on the One who sent him, Ransom enters into a final battle with his enemy. Perelandra is in turns sensual and philosophical, theological and physical, challenging our senses and our understanding of truth and will. Perelandra is the second of three books by C.S. Lewis about Dr. Ransom. Ransom's adventures are begun in Out of the Silent Planet and concluded in That Hideous Strength. Other titles by C. S. Lewis: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
The Magician's Nephew
Prince Caspian
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
Out of the Silent Planet
Perelandra
That Hideous Strength
The Screwtape Letters Additional Resources:
Chronicles of Narnia: Boxed Book Set
Chronicles of Narnia: Audio CD Set (unabridged) |