Out of the Silent Planet: The Sci-fi Series No One is Still Talking About

Out of the Silent Planet by C. S. Lewis is the first installment in a sci-fi trilogy originally published in 1938. Well-known for his series The Chronicles of Narnia, Lewis is largely remembered for that alone. However, he wrote and published many more books before his death in 1963.

This sci-fi novel is often left out when discussing Lewis’ writing, and many aren’t even aware it’s the first of a trilogy.

I first read this novel in high school for an assignment. I don’t know if I would’ve picked it up otherwise, but it was one of a few novels I look back at fondly. Out of the Silent Planet was the first sci-fi novel I ever read, and it’s part of the reason I love the genre to this day. 

What is Out of the Silent Planet About? 

Doctor Ransom, the intrepid protagonist, is kidnapped by a physicist and his assistant. He is taken from Earth and to a planet called Malacandra for nefarious purposes: human sacrifice. However, once the doctor is on this new world, he slips his leash and explores this new biome while evading capture.

He meets the beings who call this planet home and becomes fascinated by everything he learns, meanwhile he is at risk of becoming someone too alien to ever return home. 

Science fiction as a genre is chock full of overused tropes and commonplace plots. However, Lewis took an interesting approach to already familiar concepts with simple, never needlessly complicated explanations that don’t draw away from the text’s substance.

The book explores the Malacandrian culture from Ransom’s outsider perspective, easing the reader into this new world while piquing the readers’ interest with unique concepts and a refreshing, scientific narrator.

Why Should You Care About This Old Sci-Fi Novel? 

This novel is something that would be a great introductory read into the sci-fi genre, particularly for a younger audience, as most of Lewis’ work is skewed towards. Early high school age, around 14 and 15 would be a good age to start.

But, it is also still quite enjoyable for adults to read as well. Even if the reader has vast experience in the sci-fi genre, it would be remiss to skip some of the genre’s earlier foundational installments. 

And for readers who might want to foray into sci-fi but still love themes and tropes reminiscent of fantasy, the later installments, Prelandra and That Hideous Strength, merge the two genres together in a fascinating way. Both genres were Lewis’ strong suit, and he was exemplary at combining them. 

Out of the Silent Planet: Themes and Ending Remarks

Lewis was a devout Christian for most of his life, and that permeates most of his written works (his Chronicles of Narnia series, for example). Those themes journey over to the Silent Planet as well.

The book brings out theological issues like the concept of falling from grace, and the impact of a planet’s god on the entire world. Sometimes genre fiction can fall flat when it comes to deeper meanings, but Out of the Silent Planet is not one of those novels.

The species created within the world aren’t your typical aliens, and serve to teach Ransom, our protagonist, a lesson with each new part of the culture he discovers.

One of the most potent moments in the series is Ransom’s dissociation from himself which he experiences after so long away from humanity and his home planet. When he is brought face to face with another human, he views them as wholly alien from himself.

And while it is a rich story, the writing itself keeps things relatively simple without overloading the reader with math and science jargon that can sometimes throw a reader out of the immersion.

If you’ve been wary of delving into science fiction for fear of “not getting it” or being out of the loop, you’re in good hands in Out of the Silent Planet. Lewis ensured that no reader would be lost venturing into the world he created.

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