55 pages • 1 hour read
C. S. LewisOut of the Silent Planet
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1938A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Dr. Elwin Ransom, a linguistics professor from Cambridge, is abducted by two men, Weston and Devine, and taken to the planet Malacandra (Mars), where he escapes and discovers a peaceful, intelligent alien race and their spiritual beliefs. As he learns about their culture and the reasons behind Earth's isolation, Ransom confronts his own humanity and eventually returns to Earth to share his transformative experience.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Out of the Silent Planet by C. S. Lewis is commended for its imaginative world-building and philosophical depth. Readers appreciate its exploration of morality and human nature set against an otherworldly backdrop. However, some critique the pacing and dense prose. Overall, it remains a thought-provoking classic in science fiction literature.
Who Should Read Out of the Silent Planet?
Readers who enjoy a blend of science fiction and philosophical exploration akin to H.G. Wells' The War of the Worlds or J.R.R. Tolkien's realms will find C.S. Lewis' Out of the Silent Planet captivating. It appeals to those intrigued by interplanetary adventures laced with deep moral and theological reflections.
RecommendedReading Age
13+yearsLexile Level
1020L