C.S. Lewis, it turns out, can write science fiction as adeptly as he can children's fantasy, general fiction, or essays on Christianity. Perelandra, book two in Lewis's Space Trilogy, sees protagonist Elwin Ransom journey to the planet Venus (Perelandra), where he meets a woman who is suspiciously similar to the Biblical Eve. When it becomes clear that the paradise of Perelandra is host to a second visitor, Ransom realizes that he must intercede on the planet's behalf before this newcomer brings about the second Fall of Man. Filled with the wit and thought-provoking storytelling common to Lewis' works, Perelandra is an absorbing joy to read. Of course, this also prohibits it from being categorized as anything like "light-reading." While better combined with the other books in the series, Perelandra has a self-contained story and can be easily read on its own. A word to the wise: the Space Trilogy, and especially Perelandra, are not children's books. While there are moments of violence or incredible darkness, they are rich and add a wicked depth to the novel. Apparently, Lewis could have been a fine horror author had he been so inclined.
Pitted against the greatest of human weaknesses, temptation, Dr. Ransom must battle evil on a new world--Perelandra--when it is invaded by an evil force. Will Perelandra succumb to this being's influence or will it throw off the yoke of corruption and achieve a spiritual perfection as yet unknown to man?