Starting a book when hungover is never a good idea. What is interesting in concept cover art may not live up to plot-ical expectations when the pounding of your own pulse through your eyeballs makes for a distracting couple of first chapters. But I wanted to get started and have my first book report out of the way and was weak and swayed by the cover. The theme-y synopsis on the back wasn't too appealing ("A sharp, sophisticated fantasy dealing with an old problem- temptation- in a new world...) but what the hell, there's a giant hand breaking forth from the dirt with a Granny Smith apple and some sort of space-gazebo.
I'm in.
Literally, as this book is written in the first person. It's like a wordy videogame I Myself am playing. I can do this.
Sadly, the first chapter has me wandering along somewhere in Great Britain, headed to my friend, Ransom's house. Ransom just got back from Mars. And I get to go interview him or something, it's rather confusing to tell, as it's a three mile trek and I'm talking to myself the entire way...
So, plodding I go and plodding it goes.
Here's what I knew about C.S. Lewis: that Tilda Swinton movie with the Lion that acted like Jesus and the war orphans and James McAlvoy, whom is Ha-ot. I'm thinking, oh a space-y novel by That Guy, from 1944. This could be good.
And it wasn't Too Awful. It just wasn't what I expected.
There I am, making my way to Ransom's house, narrating my journey but not really watching where I'm going, if you catch my meaning. I fall into an ice-coffin-rocket-something and I myself am transported somehow to Perelandra, which we on Earth know as Venus. It's a watery, islandy planet and I go through the motions of getting myself acquainted.
There's a lot of beautiful description of this Venus, if most of it is a bit too flowery and flowy. Most of the land is unfixed in position and sort of drifts. There is flora and fauna, some goofy animals. And then, the main event...
See, there's an English scientist, Professor Weston. Weston was sent by Hell to corrupt Perelandra, rather Lady Tinidril, its ruler. Suddenly, the cover art makes sense, with the man and the woman and the apple. I remember Lewis's faith, catch on to what I'm reading, and can enjoy the rest as a thinly-painted Garden of Eden tale.
All in all, not a boring book, for it had its moments of elation and mystery. I can say that it wasn't too predictable, but only because I hadn't "seen the trailer", so to speak. I want to be the Un-Man next Halloween.
It did have a measure and beat all it's own, and I can't help wondering if I could have read it faster if it was written by someone else entirely. After I started reading, I realized this was actually a second book (Ransom went to Mars in "Out of the Silent Planet") but I don't think reading that one first would have made me enjoy Perelandra any more than I did. I don't think it was trying to be edgy even for the decade it was written. I'll give it a C- and be on my way.
You. Like me. Had this planned already didn't you?
ReplyDeleteHmm. I remember liking the Narnia books and Till We Have Faces but I may have to check this out just out of curiosity. C.S. Lewis is an odd writer and I can see where his style would lend itself better to fantasy than sci-fi. Nice review, yo.
ReplyDeleteThe very best C.S. Lewis book is 'The Screwtape Letters', funny, witty and despite the premise, not bogged down with some of Lewis's more heavy handed theology. Nice review gp...and I have a feeling you read almost as fast as I do.
ReplyDeleteOn a completely different note, my brother once had the most beautiful kittens that he named Perelandra and Malacandra.
If you wanted to read more about Random, there's an unfinished novel called "The Dark Tower" by Lewis that I enjoyed. No, it's not related to King's Dark Tower Series, and yes, it is unfinished, so if you really hate cliffhangers I wouldn't recommend it, but I thought it was pretty good. Kinda dark and mysterious. Nice review.
ReplyDeleteNot bad for a boy.
ReplyDeleteoh, i think i've read just about enough c.s. lewis for a while :)
ReplyDeletebut thanks everybody, for making me feel better about my review. i was so scared you guys would hate it! i even emailed avb and told her i wouldn't have any followers by day's end!
you guys are the best followers a cult leader, i mean, blogger could have.
I haven't read any C.S Lewis since I was a young, strapping lad (I don't mean "strapping" in that gangsta way). I can't say that this review entices me to delve back into the man's oeuvre, however. I feel I've developed a cynical callus over these long years that would hinder any enjoyment I may derive from his novels. I recommend Russian literature for hangover reading. Those bastards understand misery.
ReplyDeleteThat cover looks like a melting cat face.
ReplyDeleteThis books sounds...off. I may have to check it out. Well done, sir.