#117 Vivisection, mental health, racism and sexism

In 'Out of the Silent Planet', Dr. Elwin Ransom, a philologist, is kidnapped by his old school acquaintance Dick Devine and the scientist Edward Weston. They take him aboard a spaceship bound for Malacandra (Mars). Upon landing, Ransom escapes and encounters the planet's inhabitants, including the humanoid hrossa and the angelic eldil. He learns that Earth is isolated from the rest of the solar system and eventually meets Oyarsa, the ruler of Malacandra. After a series of adventures and interactions with the planet's diverse species, Ransom is directed to return to Earth along with his captors, who are ordered to leave Malacandra immediately.

Published in 1945, 'That Hideous Strength' is the final book in C.S. Lewis's Space Trilogy. The story takes place on Earth and follows the character Mark Studdock, a young sociology faculty member at Bracton College, as he becomes entangled with the National Institute of Co-ordinated Experiments (N. I. C. E. ), a sinister organization with totalitarian ambitions. The novel delves into themes of faith, doubt, and the struggle between good and evil, featuring characters from the previous books in the trilogy, including Elwin Ransom. It critiques the dangers of logical positivism and the erosion of moral values, drawing parallels with other dystopian works like George Orwell's '1984'.

Perilandra, the second book in C.S. Lewis's Space Trilogy, continues the adventures of Elwin Ransom. This time, Ransom returns to Malacandra, now called Perilandra, to confront a new threat. The novel delves deeper into the spiritual and philosophical themes introduced in the first book, exploring the nature of good and evil, free will, and the relationship between humanity and the divine. It is a complex and thought-provoking work that challenges the reader to consider their own beliefs and values. The story is rich in symbolism and allegory.