As we start reading C.S. Lewis's Out of the Silent Planet, what opinions and ideas about science fiction are you bringing with you? What is the source of those opinions and ideas? And how do you think they might affect your reading and enjoyment of the text? Finally, how does the text itself (so far) either line up with or diverge from your opinions and ideas? Be sure to provide textual examples and support for your statements.
I definitely would never “shrug my shoulders and say ‘whatever’” when asked my opinions about reading sci-fi. I have never been much into aliens, life on other planets, after the apocalypse kind of story lines. Even the movie E.T. gave me the creeps when I was younger (I have since gotten over my fear of the little guy with the glowing finger). Now that I am older and more educated I know that there is a greater depth to science fictions works, yet I still find it very difficult to enjoy, understand, relate to and appreciate.
ReplyDeleteI think that a lot of my ‘negative’ opinions about this particular genre stem from the fact that science fiction was never a popular occurrence in my house. Had I been exposed to this at a younger age, perhaps I would be more inclined to enjoy such outrageous plots and characters. Also, I find that I am fearful of a lot of the ideas that stem from science fiction novels, TV shows and movies. It boggles my mind that someone could write a TV show about beings from another planet trying to take over the world by holding captive and torturing humans to death (ABC’s “V”). With all the unknowns of outer space and the extraterrestrial, doesn’t anyone ever stop to think that this could actually happen? And if someone does think of that, aren’t they scared? It is because of these preconceived notions I have towards science fiction novels, I am expecting this read to be difficult, uninteresting and somewhat (possibly) scary.
Currently, I have read through chapter 10 of the story. So far, it’s not too bad. Yes, the ideas are a little strange and it is weird to think about some of the things going on, but overall, I am not totally hating it. In chapter 9 on page 55, there is a creature described as “…steaming, on its hind legs – six or seven feet high and too thin for its height…It had a coat of thick black hair, lucid as seal skin, very short legs with webbed feet, a broad beaver-like or fish-like tail…”. I find this to line up perfectly with my ideas of science fiction. The above described creature came out of a river, in “real” life, there would only be a select few things coming out of the river (fish, turtles, trash etc.), but in science fiction, you can have these crazy descriptions that don’t make sense in the world as we know it.
Another example I found to line up completely with my ideas of sci-fi can be found in chapter 6 on page 39. In this passage, the characters are described as “…gaining weight every minute and doubling in weight with every twenty-four hours”. It would be almost impossible to double your weight every twenty-four hours in “real” life. This is exactly the kind of thing that irks me about sci-fi. Nothing is as it should be. The write could have very well just said that the characters were feeling back to their original weight after re-entering a gravity affected zone, but instead, he makes it a point to say they doubled their weight quite rapidly, which leaves a very distinct image in my head.
Maybe this is the point of science fiction though, you can leave everything you know behind and create a world any way you want. It could be more than a genre, it could be an escape.
For me personally, when I think of science fiction I think of Star Wars, Star Trek, Men in Black, or the iconic movie, ET. I guess you could say that I am your stereotypical science fictoin skeptic with the fact that when I hear of science fiction I think of aliens. I have never read any science fiction books prior to this one, so the preconceived notions that I have now is what the ones that I still have going into reading this book.
ReplyDeleteI think that these notions that I have have purely come from the cinema and the stories that the media spreads. Cinema has a huge effect on the ideas we gain about certain things. I think that the whole idea of science fiction and cinema began with The Twilight Zone. Media stories linclude those of Area 51, the place you hear of aliens and secret service work with UFOs. I mean it sounds ridiculous but it is the stories and cinematic evnets that, as a society, we have come to know.
From the cinema and media stories, I am not a huge fan of science fiction. I find that the stories and ideas may be true but a little far fetched. So I think going into the story with this skepticism makes enjoying the story from the beginning a little challenging. I am not upset about having to read the story I am just uncertain that I will enjoy it.
Now that i have started reading into the book, I find that most of my ideas are met however I find it to be enjoyable. In chapter 6 there is a character description of the creatures gaining weight every minute and then they double in weight every 24 hours (page 39). That to me seems exactly like something that I would picture from an alien movie. The ideas are a little strange in the book but it is well written and written in a way that is easy to read and enjoy. I am looking forward to reading more and seeing if my preconcieved notions are met throughout the rest of the book.
Upon initial discussion and introduction to Out of the Silent Planet by C.S. Lewis, my first impression was largely shaped by the stereotypical definition of science fiction. The world of science fiction usually focuses on scientific developments or innovations that occur on either an alien planet or universe or in some sort of futuristic landscape. More often than not, in my opinion, science fiction stories involve aliens and other strange, unknown life forms that add a sense of mystery and bewilderment to a story. These preconceived notions of what a piece of science fiction contains have been gathered over the years from several different stories, movies, and television shows. While I enjoy most well-written science fiction stories, some can seem too high-tech, unrealistic, and too detached from human nature to appeal to me. Too often the focus is on the futuristic aspects of the story, and not the development or interaction of the characters themselves. The book Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card is one that has always symbolized what an excellent piece of science fiction represents to me. Card focuses on the internal conflict and maturation of the main character, Ender, giving this book a more natural feel. Another classic example of science fiction to me is the movie Men in Black. This movie, starring Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones, is set in the modern-day world, but contains aliens of every shape and color, and enough high-tech gadgetry to satisfy the palette of even the most avid science fiction fanatic.
ReplyDeleteAs far as Out of the Silent Planet, I think my past experiences with science fiction will certainly create some different expectations for this book, in my perspective. However, I do not think that any of these experiences will affect my enjoyment of this piece. After reading the first six chapters, I cannot help but feel I am entering into a hybrid world of science fiction and philosophy. While the classic signs of a science fiction story appear early, Devine discussing “experiments” and the “march of progress” all too eerily (19), Ransom being trapped in “some kind of flying-machine” (25), and the mention of “inhabitants” on the planet they are destined for (28), I can’t help but feel that the emphasis of the text involves the morality of their actions and the philosophical and humanitarian implications of the “experiment” they are getting into. Even as their ship is finally landing on this strange planet inhabited by the mysterious “sorns”, Ransom is lost in a “philosophical speculation” regarding the brightness of the solar system and where the “real void, the real death” was actually located (41). Even though I only have a snapshot of the entire work after one reading assignment, I am starting to sense that this is no ordinary science fiction.
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ReplyDeleteGoing in to Out of the Silent Planet, I would say I have a “love it” response when it comes to science fiction. I have always been a fan of science fiction movies like Blade Runner, The Matrix trilogy, Minority Report, Avatar, A Scanner Darkly, Donnie Darko and Star Wars to name a few. I have read a few sci-fi novels and have thoroughly enjoyed almost all of them. Some of my “favorite” books have been science fiction, like Ender’s Game/Ender’s Shadow, 1984, and His Dark Materials (technically its a fantasy book, but it deals with parallel universes and a lot of physics, so I’m counting it). While its not my favorite genre of literature or film, it is near the top.
ReplyDeleteI definitely understand where the skepticism comes from when dealing with science fiction. Typically, it deals with concepts that are quite fantastical, sometimes “too nerdy”, and usually out of our mental grasp, which drives many readers away. In my opinion however, these are the ideas that make science fiction more intriguing. The most interesting thing about science fiction is that it can create an entire new world, completely and utterly different from our own, and we can be placed inside of it. This “new world” doesn’t have to follow any rules of our own world; science fiction can make it ignore any aspect of our daily lives that it doesn’t want.
My opinions regarding science fiction stem from early exposure to science in general, an older cousin who was (an still is) into Star Wars, and a mind that was constantly dwelling in my own Imaginationland (South Park anyone?). All of the movies and books I previously listed showed me that science fiction isn’t only for Comic-con attendees and those who are fluent in Klingon.
I think my opinions of science fiction will keep my interest and enjoyment of the novel at a high level. When I read science fiction, I am always trying to make sense of what is going on. The concepts that they write about are usually quite foreign to me, and understanding them and embracing them are the key to my intrigue.
Even though we are only six chapters into the book, I am still mystified and trying to make sense of the events. Out of the Silent Planet has definitely grasped my attention with mentions of this strange planet that Ransom is slowly approaching: “As to why we are here, we are on our way to Malacandra ... I am giving it its real name ... from the inhabitants” (p. 28). So far, it meets my standard criteria for science fiction. While the physics of space travel isn’t explained very thoroughly (“the centre is always ‘down’...” (p. 30)), the idea of a new planet with its own unique inhabitants thoroughly intrigues me, and caused me to read a bit farther than the 6th chapter. I was most drawn in when Ransom was listening to the conversation between Devine and Weston, but only hearing what Devine was saying, especially when they hint as to why Ransom is there: “It would explain why he was wanted” ... “Human sacrifice, I suppose. At least it wouldn’t be human from their point of view; you know what I mean” (p. 36). I am already enraptured with this new book, and can’t wait to read more.
Aliens, Star Trek, spaceships, and old scary black and white movies make up my “Sci Fi” definition. I’ve collected these images and thoughts from uninteresting science fiction stories I had to read in elementary school or from asking my dad what his big book with the alien cover were about. I was also never interested in Star Trek movies and I believe that has something to do with me being uninterested in that genre.
ReplyDeleteI’m keeping an open mind about this book especially since it is so short and is written by a very well known author. C.S. Lewis will hopefully pull through and keep me entertained with this sci fi story that was written way before I was born.
The paragraph on the top of page 10 (ch. 1) gives a detailed description of Ransom. All of the characteristics are human-like and lead me to not even start to think about aliens or anything sci fi related. The same page, Ransom meets an older woman who is looking for her handicapped son and Ransom offers to go look for him. At this point in the book, honestly, I did not know it was a science fiction book because I did not get that “extraterrestrial” feel. I was very intrigued with what would happen with Ransom and the woman’s lost son. Even when Ransom met up with his old classmate, Devine, I had no idea aliens would be showing up a few chapters later. Page 14 is when Ransom and Devine reunite, but by page 20 (ch. 2) there was a strange feeling to the story. Sure enough, the bottom of page 26 (ch.3) Ransom is in outer space on a spaceship headed to some foreign star. The book finally started to feel like science fiction at this point, but before then it did not line up with my science fiction definition.
Up until this point I did not consider the book a sci fi, but so far I am really enjoying the text. I want to keep reading to figure out if Ransom is going to survive this journey to outer space. I don’t believe my whole outlook on sci fi has been changed, but for now I am interested in this science fiction novel.
I am definitely one of those people who have a strong opinion about science fiction. It’s not that I despise all forms of the genre it is more that when I hear that type I automatically think of the Sci-Fi network. Honestly when I’m flipping through the channels I make a point to avoid that station. It has creepy shows that make my stomach churn and are completely unbelievable. The best examples of the imagery that comes to mind with science fiction are the movies Tremors and Ticks. These were terrible movies but still accomplished scaring me as a child. However, Sci-Fi channel aside, I do like some science fiction and in fact I am obsessed with two shows. I love True Blood and Vampire Diaries. I think they are my exception to this genre because they are completely unbelievable and I’m not afraid of them (The romance plots do help me get over the gore also). But maybe it’s this tale of romance underneath it all that makes me think they are not really in the science fiction category because for the most part science fiction is more of a masculine category and doesn’t involve love.
ReplyDeleteSo, so far in reading Out of the Silent Planet I am feeling the way I normally do about science fiction, I want to switch the station (or close the book). I guess my skepticism has jaded my perspective of the book. While the text doesn’t seem like it is too outlandish at first, when Ransom gets abducted and taken to on a space journey to Malacandra I get turned off from the story. I think the moment I really felt like I wanted to stop reading was in chapter three when Ransom woke up after the abduction not knowing his surroundings and questions Weston. He was afraid and said “What is it? It’s not the moon, not that size. It can’t be, can it?” and Weston replies “No, it’s the Earth”. It made me feel like it was unbelievable. How can someone be kidnapped and taken in a spaceship without anyone noticing? I’m not saying the story isn’t good, it’s just not my favorite so far and it’s probably from my previous negative experiences with science fiction and maybe it’s a little bit because there is no romance.
Sci Fi is definitely a genre different from others. It is the presentation of our imagination through a physical medium. I definitely understand the phrase used stating that nobody shrugs their shoulders or says whatever regarding science fiction, but I do think there is a definite distinction between good sci fi and bad sci fi. There are good sci fi productions such as books and movies that challenge our mind to go further than our imagination can take us, but with the good there are also the things such as b-movies released to the sci fi channel that regurgitate the same old story over with new characters, but overall I enjoy science fiction writing because it takes our mind away from reality and makes us ask, “could that really happen?”
ReplyDeleteMy feelings going into the novel, “Out of the Silent Planet” are ones of great expectations. I love the writing of C.S. Lewis and the way he can take an idea and bring it to fruition in a way that is different and unique than other writers could. This book, so far, has met those expectations in a way that completely exceeded the greatness I expected. I started this book and didn’t put it down until I was two or three chapters from finishing it. What I like about it is that it found a way to defy science and create a world that could actually exist. Through Ransom’s ignorance of the science involved and the lack of information he is provided the novel finds a way to justify the space adventure in a way that other writers would make kitschy.
In all sincerity I think I am one of the people who shrug their shoulders and say “whatever” when it comes to sci fi. I have no strong hatred towards it and I am also not a die-hard fan of it either. The only ideas about sci fi that I bring with me are things we mentioned in class. When I think about sci fi I think of aliens, strange races and species, and spaceships. I think this probably stems from the fact that I have not read much sci fi in my life and the only things I do know about it come from TV and movies. I do enjoy some sci fi movies and TV like LOTR trilogy, Twilight Zone (is that sci fi?), ET, and Men in Black. I do like all those but is you asked me what my favorite movies are I wouldn’t say a single on of those. The only books I think of are Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Star Wars, and Lord of the Rings, and I have never finished any of those series. I believe my lack of opinion comes from my lack of experience with the genre. I think that because I have no strong opinion one way or another I will read this book with a fresh and open mind, which can be to my benefit. I also think that because I have no strong opinion of sci fi that I might start to form one after reading this book. So far the text has not influenced my opinions one way or the other, but hopefully this will change. I think it is an easy to read book and has exactly what I expected; strange planet “Malacandra” (28), strange species “…gaining weight every minute and doubling in weight with every twenty-four hours”(39), and spaceships “some kind of flying-machine” (25).
ReplyDeleteI also have an "eh, whatever" opinion about science fiction. My english 106 class freshman year was all science fiction. In class we read the books Frankenstein, Neuromancer, Houston Houston Do You Read?, and The Time Machine. I think after reading those books I had a better appreciation for the genre than I did before. Those were the first science fiction books I had ever read, and before those I can say that I wanted nothing to do with the genre. I believed all the stereotypical assumptions about science fiction, but they all proved me wrong and were great books. They did involve aliens and space ships and time travel and crazy experiments and other ideas that I usually cannot begin to grasp, but there was so much more to them as well. Since reading those books I do not have judgments or negative opinions about science fiction. I think this will help me keep an open mind while I read Out of the Silent Planet. After the discussion in class I know there is so much more meaning to what Lewis writes, so I hope this will also help me enjoy the book much more as I read.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading six chapters, I have to agree with Zach, the text seems to be a combination of science fiction and philosophy. There is the mention of space ships “An airship, some kind of flying-machine…” (25), as well as aliens “inhabitants” (28) and “sorns” (36). In chapter 5, Devine hints that Ransom would be used for some sort of experiment on the planet Malacandra when he is having a discussion with Weston “It would explain why he was wanted…Human sacrifice, I suppose” (36). After the class discussion on Lewis, his philosophy also seems to appear in the text on several occasions. For example, Ransom disagrees with Weston’s comment “You cannot be so small-minded as to think that the rights or life of an individual or of a million individuals are of the slightest importance in comparison with this” (29). I think Ransom’s opinion is the same as Lewis’ opinion on the importance of individuals. The last couple paragraphs of chapter 6 also seem to be quite philosophical. The ship is getting ready to land on Malacandra and Ransom is thinking about the planets or earths as a “deathly void” (41). After reading the first six chapters I have to admit, this book is nothing like I expected it to be, and I can’t wait to keep reading and find out what happens when they finally land on the planet.
Personally I never understood what the difference was between science fiction and fantasy. After I talked to someone about the difference it made me realize the overwhelming difference between the two. But I could only think of a few things that represented science fiction compared to the enormous amounts of ideas I got when thinking of fantasy. Some ideas about science fiction that I had thought of were spaceships, technology to go into a man-made virtual world, and pretty much the cartoon worlds of the shows “Futurama” and “The Jetsons.”
ReplyDeleteI think with the small amount of ideas I have in my head about what science fiction is, it really shouldn’t affect my reading and enjoyment of the text. I have a feeling that it will give me a more broad sense of what science fiction can also be known as. This is going to be random but I wasn’t sure how much we were supposed to read so I read the first four chapters. Honestly the first three chapters kept putting me asleep since it took them a while to show us the first part of science fiction in the story. After Ransom got knocked in the head and woke up in a new location I started to get a little interested. Then I got more interested when he kept questioning the moon and finally found out what it was. “Ransom sat still and watched. He had never seen such a moon—so white, so blinding and so large. “Like a great football just outside the glass,” he thought, and then, a moment later, “No—it’s bigger than that.” By this time he was quite certain that something was seriously wrong with his eyes: no moon could possibly be the size of the thing he was seeing.” (Chapter 3, pg 24) ““Weston! Weston!” he gasped. “What is it? It’s not the moon, not that size. It can’t be, can it?” “No,” replied Weston, “it’s the Earth.” (Chapter 3, page 26). I felt blank and was speechless, and definitely awake, when I read that. Then the first act of science fiction to be shown was actually one of the few things I mentioned before, the spaceship. ““As to how we do it—I suppose you mean how the space-ship works—there’s no good in your asking that.”” (Chapter 4, page 28).
As I said before I don’t feel like I have many ideas about what science fiction is so divergence of my ideas towards this text won’t seem that high other than the spaceship. I am really curious about a few things like are Devine and Weston by chance aliens? Is this story maybe about Ransom saving the Earth by sabotaging evil plans concocted by the citizens of Malacandra. I do know one thing and that is that I won’t be sleeping anymore while reading this that is unless I take my cough medicine before reading. I have high hopes for this story just I like I did for The Odyssey, so I hope it doesn’t let me down.
By the way I like how the main character’s name is Ransom.
My initial idea of science fiction consisted of my mother’s love for Star Trek and my hatred of it. As I’ve grown up, I have discovered the ridiculous movies on the Sci Fi channel, which are generally just hilarious to watch. The strangeness of these films coupled with their cheap special effects has left a negative impact on my mind for science fiction. Though I know that all science fiction cannot be as terrible as these films I am still nervous about reading this book. Jurassic Park, for example, is an excellent story and film series, so I have some faith about the genre.
ReplyDeleteThus far in the story, I have begun to warm to the idea of a spherical spacecraft and the idea of sorns, but my curiosity has not yet overcome my uncertainty about science fiction. The story leaves me questioning often, such as where they keep the spacecraft and how it enters space without being seen. My unhappiness with the story also stems from the fact that even when Ransom asks questions that I would like answered, Weston and Devine don’t answer them! When he asks how the space ship works, Weston replies, “Unless you were one of the four or five real physicists now living you couldn’t understand” (28). Though I am not as interested in the science of the matter, I am interested in having all the facts.
However, I have not completely lost hope for this book. The philosophical grounds for Ransom’s inquiries keep me interested and I am beginning to like the plot, mainly because “the moment of his arrival in an unknown world found Ransom wholly absorbed in a philosophical speculation” (41). Ransom’s perspective on the idea of a spacecraft, the sun, and sorns keep me interested in the story because I prefer the fiction aspect of this story as opposed to the science portion. The text is engaging and I am interested in what happens to Ransom once he disembarks onto Malacandra.
Science fiction to me is one of the most interesting genres to read, mostly because when an author takes something real or probable and makes it fantastic it becomes something you can believe. Science fiction draws you in, it is based on things that you already know or have seen and when the added layer of fiction comes in it becomes extremely easy to lose yourself in the book. Every science fiction book that I have read is able to allow me to clearly picture the scenes to see the possibility. Science fiction makes you question ask yourself “will that be possible someday”?
ReplyDeleteOne of the most interesting science fiction books I have read is Digital Fortress by Dan Brown, the book hooked me, I could envision the situation that they were in, it seemed real as if I was in that situation I would have to deal with the same thing. I believe that because I like science fiction I am going into this book looking forward to reading it, rather than having it seem like something I must read. I think that will cause me to enjoy the book much more and be able to connect with the characters.
So far the book has been entertaining, I am enjoying reading it and I feel that I will only fall deeper into the story as we go on. The idea of space has always been interesting to me, and reading this book really allows me to lose myself in the possibilities of what might be out there or what we may able to accomplish in space in the future.
When I hear Sci Fi, I think of things such as Star Wars, or Hitchhickers Guide To The Galaxy. I know parts of these could be considered fantasy and not sci fi. The two seem to go hand in hand. Science Fiction is more of space travel and things like that but when you bring in space travel you start to get into fantasy about what aliens would look like and everything like that.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I did read a book in middle school "Homeward Bound", I can not remember the author but as far as I remember it was almost pure Sci Fi. A kid gets in trouble and is sent to a detention camp that is a space ship and they go off into space. The reason I brought this up was because the first few chapters of this book feel alot like that one. It does not really feel like "Sci Fi" as far as I know it to be.
The first few chapters of the book would not signal to me that this would become a Sci Fi later on. To begin with, Ransom is on a walking tour somewhere in Europe we can presume. The names of the Towns, Nadderby and Sterk have an English feel to them. The very first feel to Sci Fi we get is when Weston tells Ransom that he is looking at Earth at the very end of Chapter 3.
I am very anxious so see where the book will continue to go. I want to see where to Sorn and "brutes" will come in and to see if it will start to become a true Sci Fi book, of if even this will have a mixture of fantasy in it or not.
The word “science-fiction” makes me want to cringe. It brings up these childhood memories of my dad spending hours hogging the TV on weekends watching Star Trek and Battlestar Galactica. Maybe it is the common theme that Earth is doomed and life after the apocalypse that is recurrent in sci-fi, but I find it difficult to comprehend and immerse myself in. I admire the people who love it and respect those that have closet trekkie tendencies; alas I have my own genres that I run to when looking for enjoyment. I have gathered my views from mostly cinematic and media realms – and maybe a few books when required for school. The main problem with my views is that when you say scifi all I think of is aliens and fantastical space adventures – but there is so much more to the genre. I’ll admit that I enjoyed Farenheit 451 and the Martian Chronicles (Bradbury) but hated Enders Game.
ReplyDeleteThese jaded views of what science-fiction is and where the genre can go have limited my exposure. I am skeptical about Out of the Silent Planet, but promise to give it time to develop and win me over. I have read through chapter 6 and am already struggling with the whole idea of getting in a circular spaceship and just blasting off out of the British country side. It will be difficult to set aside all of my knowledge out space exploration and revert to a time when none of it existed.
So far I find the text interesting and am enjoying its direct nature sprinkled with distinct details. The text is fun to read because it allows for judgment and sarcasm to exist. When Devine defines Weston through the famous likes of Einstein and Schrodinger (15) I chuckled because Lewis has made this description more realistic and relatable. The conversationalist tone and Ransom’s relatability have made the book so far easy to read. This book is a space mission, so it does line up with my conventional view of science-fiction but its tone and structure have made it less complex to understand.
When it comes to science fiction, I am not fan. I do not enjoy have to come up with my own idea of a piece of scenery or what some made up species look like. Although, this book is quite different.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first started reading it I thought, "great, science fiction, but at least its small" but as I'm reading it I find that it is very easy to come up with an idea as to what Malacandra looks like. C.S. Lewis is very descriptive when he describes this places which make the scenery just pop in my head. When Ransom first lands he mentions "the blue water [that] surrounded them on at least three sides." (Mid-chapter 7) With this detail I was able to image something like a beach setting in Florida or California.
Even though the book does give a lot of detail and makes me picture everything that happens, it is going rather slow. Currently I am on chapter 13 and sometimes have a hard time staying awake through it. I think some of the events could of been shortened just a bit. For example of him hanging with the hrossa in their camp. It keeps giving me an Avatar feel. You have the mysterious land, species, and language.
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ReplyDeleteI have never been big into science fiction> The thought of aliens and alternate universies does not draw my attention. However, even though this book is classified as science fiction, it seems to be different then what I typically think of. Since C.S. Lewis wrote the book, I feel like the book will be less like a science fiction book.
ReplyDeleteTypically when I think of a science fiction book, Star Wars will pop into my head. This book however is different. The book starts out on Earth which is a place I can obviously relate too. Even when they are flying through space, I understand what the spaceship looks like. It does not have a complicated lay out. C.S. Lewis is also very descriptive, so instead of the book being mostly about the science, the book is about what is happening and what Ransom is feeling and seeing. When Ransom descirbes "the days-that, is the hours' spent in the sunward hemisphere of their microcosm" (pg 33), you can feel what he is feeling.
Another reason the book does not feel like a science fiction book is the space craft and Malacandra are new to Ransom too. It is not a world he had been familiar with so he compares everything to Earth. This makes the new planet seem more real then something made up in a science fiction novel. This book seems like a less intense version of a typical science fiction novel and I will give it a chance to change my opinions on science fiction novels.
I like science fiction but I know little about them. The science fiction movies which I like are Inception and The Terminator. I used to read some science fictions when I was in high school. I was attracted by them because they brought me into a new world. Lots of them showed me the future lives and some of them had science evidence. Some of the science fictions are created for entertainment. However, some are made for warning people. I used to read a science fiction which tells a story about robots. Those robots get the power to control human beings, but they pretend themselves to be humans. Humans are fooled by robots’ shows. And some science fictions tell people to care and value more about the people around them. Lots of imaginations in the science fictions which are created in the past time come true now. These show humans’ imagination, creative ability, and development of technology.
ReplyDeleteI did not know it was a science fiction at the beginning reading. The description is detailed and lively. I like the description about the strange planet in chapter 6.”Were actually gaining weight every minute and doubling in weight with every twenty-four hours.”(39) The description is fresh to me and impressed. I like this fiction so far.
In my view, to some authors, science fiction is just a genre. It can show authors’ real feelings and they can express not only the unique world but also people’s relationship and methods to solve problems. Author will not be limited in a genre.
Kaitlyn Smith
ReplyDeleteI suppose that I would have to say that I have a stereotypical viewpoint of science fiction. I always picture aliens or some kind of alternative life form when I hear the word sci-fi and this subject has never seemed to interest me. I have never really been exposed to this genre of writing and feel that my views stem from how the media portrays sci-fi on television or within movies. Like Megan, I am not a huge fan of the Sci-Fi channel; however, as I have grown, I do realize that there are multiple kinds of things that are classified sci-fi, such as Star Wars, which I actually like. I still find that most science fiction is hard for me to enjoy and find a connection with through the process.
As for the book, Out of the Silent Planet, I am interested to see how C.S. Lewis writes in this type genre. I believe that I can keep an open mind throughout the book and try to discover the greatness of science fiction.
In the beginning few chapters of the book, I was completely thrown off by how the book was written. I expected aliens, a strange planet, or a science type of feel when I began reading, but experienced quite the opposite. We first meet Ransom and as he is walking, the narrator states that “he still cherished hopes of a substantial farmhouse until he was quite close to the real origin of the light, which proved to be a very small cottage of ugly nineteenth-century brick,” (10). This shows that they are in a regular rural setting, which is the opposite of what I was expecting.
Once we get to chapter 7, the book finally turns toward a science fiction setting with the strange setting and meeting of aliens. Ransom describes the new planet as “strange upright shapes of whitish green: too jagged and irregular for buildings, too thin and steep for mountains” (45). He also goes into detail about the water and how it “was not merely blue in certain lights like terrestrial water but ‘really’ blue” (45). These characteristics among many others described in the book show that the setting is closer to the science fiction one that I had been picturing in my mind. So while the beginning proved to be a different from what I had expected, I believe that the rest of the book will lean more toward my definition of science fiction.
For me, science fiction has actually been one of my favorite subjects to read. Most of the books that I have read outside of school are actually science fiction books. This is mostly because I usually enjoy reading things that are more imaginative and creative and I believe that this is creative writing at its best. I think that it is much harder for a writer, like Tolkein or Lewis, to go beyond what is already known and create an entire new world for their story to take place in. The imagination and creativity put into each and every aspect of what they create shows how much depth the writer has in his writing and how much originality that their story holds. Having to write about something that has never been seen or experienced before also gives the writer great opportunity to use the text to create stunning visual imagery for the reader. The writers inventiveness is what I usually see driving a story forward a great science fiction story.
ReplyDeleteIn the beginning of "Out of Silent Planet" I do not get the typical feel of a science fiction book. Having started out in the middle of the English countryside on Earth I would not expect this story to go where I know it will. I actually would like to see further how Lewis can take this story and create something new from a basis on Earth.
Sci Fi is definitely a genre that I wouldn’t put at the top of my lists as a favorite. I am one of those people that cringe when I hear the words “Sci FI”. When I think about Sci Fi the first things that come to my mind are spaceships, aliens, Star Wars, Star Treck, and things of that nature. Frankly, they don’t interest me at all and sort of weird me out. Because of this stereotypical vision I have of science fiction, I have never picked up or read a science fiction book to prior one. Reading “Out of the Silent Planet” is going to be interesting for me with the mindset I have about science fiction. Being only 6 chapters into the book it is hard to say whether or not my opinion and in vision of Sci Fi will change or stay the same, yet there are already examples from the text that have changed my opinion science fiction, and this has really surprised me.
ReplyDeleteI went into this book with little expectations of enjoyment and intrigue. Surprisingly, I haven’t found it as bizarre and weird as I thought it would be. I have enjoyed C. S. Lewis’s writings and descriptions and have been more engaged with the text then I thought I would have been. I think the reason that my feelings about the book have been more positive than I expected are because I the way Ransom deals with the whole “were in space” situation is very real-life and humanistic. I think in most science fiction books there is a feel that all of the strangeness that is going on it completely normal. In this book, the completely uneasy, scared and uncomfortable feelings of disbelief that Ransom describes are so typical and real-life. I could completely understand and see myself feeling the same way in the same situation. These feelings make the book feel more real and less science fiction to me. In chapter 3 it describes this well when it states “It took Ransom some time to digest this statement. “Do you mean to tell me you claim to have to have been in this star before, or this plant, or whatever it is?” Yes. “You can’t really ask me that,” said Ransom. “Damn it all, it’s not an everyday affair. Why has no one heard of it? Why has no one heard of it? Why has it not been in the papers?” (Ch.3p28.). His questions and disbelief are very realistic and it comforting to know that he didn’t just believe everything he was told immediately. It had a very real-life feel to it which was different from what I expected.
Alicia Smith
ReplyDeleteOne of the top questions that writers tinker with and elaborate on is the rhetorical, “What if?” This question relates to any story, whether it’s in the form of “What if wooden puppet came to life?” or “What if there was a hidden castle where students are trained to become witches and wizards?” or “What if human fell in love with a vampire?” Science fiction deals with other ways to answer this question, so I am completely open minded when reading it.
What needs to be understood about the term ‘science fiction’ is that it’s a label that indicates a part of a story, mainly, the setting (the time and place, which is usually futuristic in nature). Many Sci-Fi novels take space as a place of reference, along with other planets. The setting of Out of the Silent Planet introduced its space setting when Ransom got kidnapped and taken aboard a spaceship heading for Malacandra; “I suppose you mean how the space ship works… As to why we are here, we are on our way to Malacandra” (4. 5-13). Though setting is not the only way to pinpoint science fiction; for those that read the genre, it is known that strong scientific influences also play a role. Some Sci-Fi never even touch space travel – stuff like X-men and Minority Report are considered Sci-Fi because it’s about fictional representation of futuristic science, hence science fiction (like mutation, experimentation, and other miscellaneous smart stuff). This is also found in the book with Weston’s descriptions of the space ship. “Now we are outside the gravitational field of the Earth ‘down’ means – and feels – towards the centre of our own little metal world. This, of course, was foreseen and we built her accordingly. The core of this ship is a hollow globe – ” (4. 28-31). Keep in mind that Lewis had to create his own view of a space shuttle because they weren’t around yet. This is Lewis’s interpretation of future technology. Because both space and science are included in this story, there is no doubt in my mind that this is a science fiction novel. And there isn’t anything wrong with that.
Reality is limiting, so I respect the creativity involved with sci-fi where the author has to rely on their own ideas to create a world. Part of Sci-Fi beauty is that it is not supposed to be hardcore, stuff that can happen in real life. What irks me is that everyone has favorite stories that are wonderful and heart wrenching, and yet they are completely unrealistic. Animals talk in Finding Nemo, but no one criticizes that movie for being unrealistic. Why is the reality of Sci-Fi any different than that of talking animals? Just another can of worms in your food for thought.
People have to learn that science fiction is just a label, and by shying away from the entire genre, it cripples mental boundaries. There are wonderful stories that are not read just because they involve a couple of new, alien species. I’m not saying that it’s wrong to hate science fiction, I’m saying that it is ignorant to never give it a chance. I hope that by reading this novel that some people will realize this distinction. If science fiction isn’t your cup of coffee, then it can’t be helped, but it doesn’t hurt to read before you judge.
Books and films are a great way to escape the day-to-day responsibilities and to relax if only for a short time. I find that no genre provides a greater escape than that of science fiction. From a young age I have always enjoyed this genre. Whether watching all of the Star Wars movies back to back (or at least trying to) or watching The Twilight Zone during New Years on the SyFy channel, this genre has always managed to grasp my attention and imagination like no other.
ReplyDeleteIn order for a book or movie to qualify as science fiction, to me, it must be grounded in some type of science. It could be dinosaurs, traveling through space or time, aliens, etc. The list is endless and always growing. But this is why I am looking forward to seeing where C.S. Lewis will take me in Out of the Silent Planet.
It definitely didn't feel like a sci-fi novel at first as Ransom was walking through the countryside. Everything just seemed sort of bland ans as it should be. However, when Ransom asked, " 'What is it? It's not the moon, not that size. It can't be, can it?' 'No,' replied Weston, 'it's the Earth.' "(26) that all changed, and that was the moment at which I knew this was going to be interesting. I know that it's early on in the book, but I get a feeling that this is going to meet all of my standards for a sci-fi novel.
I have always been enamored with what I suppose can be termed "science fiction;" however, I must note that I tend toward those science fiction works which are less typical. I am not so inclined to read books such as the Star Wars or Star Trek books. I love a science fiction work which entangles into the "science" a thread of philosophy (as a previous blogger put it, rather nicely) and extends a sense of awe toward the unknown. I crave works that are less a love affair with technology and the propagation of man, than a love affair with the soul and experience of man as he journeys beyond what he knows. I feel as if C.S. Lewis wrote Out of the Silent Planet to be just such a book.
ReplyDeleteI read this book for the first time about a year ago and fell in love with it. As I begin to read it again, I am delighted by such instances as Ransom realizing that "a nightmare, long engendered in the modern mind by the mythology that follows in the wake of science, was falling off him" (5.34). What deviations from the stereotypical science fiction I love about this book, some may dislike-- particularly because it vibrates with the word "science" in science fiction. C.S. Lewis' style of describing the science is such that it ignores or even rejects, to an extent, what the true mechanics or mathematics should be. Instead it delineates the reaction to the technology or cosmological event, glossing over the scientific details to detail instead the vision, the embodiment of what the characters are feeling.
For example, as Ransom wakes to a startling environment about him, Lewis describes the lessening of gravitational pull not in technical statistics nor even through a more "technical" character, such as Weston, explaining the change in gravity. Instead, he crafts a moment where Ransom "[feels] an extraordinary lightness of body: it [is] with difficulty that he [keeps] his feet on the floor. For the first time a suspicion that he might be dead and already in the ghost-life [crosses] his mind" (3.24). I love being included in the in-the-moment thoughts of the characters, to see the situation through their eyes. I want to know how it feels to be in the written world of the sci fi universe, not the mechanics of their science.
In this way, Out of the Silent Planet is a beautiful text; it is a marriage of the exotic other-worldliness included in most science fiction, with the exploration of the inner part of man; I feel that the latter exploration works as a tie to link our own world to the exotic. As this book is a wonderful match to my particular tastes, I look forward to reading it again, and am hopeful to gain even more out of it this second time.
My opinions of science fiction have mostly been feelings of negativity and disinterest. When I think Sci Fi, I think of Star Wars, which I didn't particularly enjoy, and movies/literature that have to do with aliens, outer space, etc. I usually don't enjoy content that has to do with this kind of material, so I was not thrilled to know we would be reading Sci Fi this semester. However, I can say I enjoy C.S. Lewis's writing (I loved The Chronicles of Narnia), so I thought there was a good chance I'd like this novel. These feelings might affect my reading and enjoyment of the text by somewhat clouding the actual content in the text with thoughts of disgust. I hope that I can look past my previous feelings about Sci Fi and enjoy this novel for what it is.
ReplyDeleteSo far the text, I'm sad to say, has lined up with my opinions. The dialog is far and few between, which is what usually draws me in, and the context of the first six chapters has been somewhat dry in my opinion. An example of this is the last paragraph on page 15 which continues onto page 16, "While these thoughts were passing through his head, Devine had been speaking to Weston, in a low voice, but no lower than was to be expected of a man discussing hospitable arrangements in the presence of a guest. In ended with a grunt from Weston..." I just find this text disinteresting and I am hoping that it will pick up very soon. However, one thing that is nice is the chapters are very short. I can already tell I am going to appreciate that.
When I hear Sci Fi, I tend to think of an action filled movie with demons from an outside world that come and disturb others to give them fear. I find myself enjoying other genres. When it comes to novels, I am almost sure that I have never picked up a science fiction book that I would read for pleasure. I have read books that have dealt with aliens coming in and taking over and I know I didn’t enjoy those. So knowing that C.S. Lewis’ book Out of the Silent Planet is in the scientific fiction type, it did take me a while to finally pick up the book and start reading it.
ReplyDeleteThe most known Sci Fi that I know is The Twilight Zone as I watched some of them in a history class in high school and maybe an English class; maybe the most common place is the short film played before getting aboard the Disney ride “Tower of Terror”. I was not very fond of these as I often found myself doodling and mind wondering during these short films.
As I began reading Out of the Silent Planet, it was pretty easy to get to once I opened it because it’s not as hard of a read as The Odyssey. I find myself having a steady rhythm when reading this book. I have not finished the reading assignment that is due for tomorrow (as I plan on doing that tomorrow on my down time, before class). I am really excited about this book and I think it is one book I will actually enjoy. I feel that knowing it has aliens in it will make it a little more interesting. I have read two of C.S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia books (The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and Prince Caspian) I find myself wanting to further my mind with his writings.
Before starting into Out of the Silent Planet, I would say that my feelings toward science fiction have always been welcoming. I have always enjoyed movies and books of this genre, as long as they fulfill the same requirements that I place on any story to captivate me. These tend to be related to my desire for a well crafted and interesting plot development, as well as some type of character development. As the storyline makes me want to find out what happens to a certain character or set of characters, it really doesn’t matter what setting it is in (space, alien lands, future). That being said, I don’t care about what happens to characters in stories that cannot suspend my disbelief, because I will be too focused on that aspect of the story. This comes into play a lot in science fiction books because the world that the characters are in is obviously fictional. In order for me to enjoy the book, I feel as though the author must give certain human-like qualities to both the characters and the places and events they encounter.
ReplyDeleteFor me, this is accomplished thus far in Out of the Silent Planet. We begin the book on Earth, which is much easier to relate to as a reader than simply being thrust into a strange environment. This allowed me as a reader to be eased into the fictional part of the world that the book takes place in. The story also moves along with a progression of oddities that culminate with the ending up on a spaceship. For example, Ransom first is just wandering around looking for a place to stay, then encounters the woman who gives off strange vibe about The Rise, gets to The Rise and hears peculiar noises, sees Harry being mistreated, talks to the owner who is sort of strange, and THEN is finally drugged and taken onto a spaceship. Even then, the reader is allowed to be brought into understanding of the situation along with Ransom, which gives the story a more personal, human, and in my opinion believable feel. When he is being explained the situation he even says “You can’t really ask me to believe that” and “Damn it all, it’s not an everyday affair” (28). We as readers are able to relate with his reaction to the unknown and bizarre, and in turn the story doesn’t seem as distant as a journey through space literally is.
It because of this sequence of events thus far in Out of the Silent Planet that I feel it has matched my expectations of a good science fiction story, and I expect it to continue to fulfill these expectations in the coming chapters.
When I first think of science fiction, I immediately think of Star Wars and what all it entails. I happen to love reading the books, and own several of them. But, this probably skews my view of science fiction to mean that it has to encompass multiple worlds with many different alien life forms and that could go cross galaxies. I also see science fiction from the modern eyes, meaning that we have been to space and have some idea of what it is like. That is not necessarily what science fiction actually is though. I have read some science fiction that has nothing to do with going to other worlds, but happens to deal only with some new theory or creature found on this earth and what it could possibly mean to civilization as we know it.
ReplyDeleteMy views could affect how I read “Out of the Silent Planet” by causing me to overlook the descriptions and views of the pre-modern eyes. For instance, in chapter 4 when Ransom is talking with Weston after they had left earth, he makes mention of the fact that he thought space was dark and cold. This is how I have always viewed space, and so does the modern set of eyes. But Lewis describes it as bright and full of heat, so much so that they have to go around the ship with nothing on but some sort of belt and sunglasses. I would have missed this completely if not for the mention of it in class Thursday.
So far, I have enjoyed reading the book. It reads like one of the grandfathers of its genre, almost like Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings is to the genre of fantasy. It is causing me to reevaluate what my thoughts are on what comprises a science fiction narrative to include things that are not necessarily written with the modern eyesight. I cannot wait to see what happens, and will probably go on to read the next two books in the series as well, just to find out how the story continues to unfold.
In Sci-Fi readings and films I do find myself shrugging my shoulders and giving it the "whatever." This view might come from my cynical nature pertaining to the "unkown" and fictional works. I've never been one to read or watch much of anything dealing with Sci-Fi or fictional works, as I'm one to read mainly non-fiction literature. Even with these thoughts I find myself to be open or welcoming to such different trains of thought, such that of C.S. Lewis. And in the reading i've done so far, he may well sway me to read similar works of the Sci-Fi genre. It may be hard to grasp all the concepts and ideas presented across the page, yet I find this novel intriguing and am always searching for answers.
ReplyDeleteRansom, I find, is somewhat of a soul searcher which may be caused by his wondering. It seems he always is second guessing himself while performing a task. He knows what he must do, but his actions tend to be uncertain, as he is not fully sure what he intends to do. Such as his dilemma to to make his way to The Rise. With the gate locked and no easy way through the hedge, he decided to scale the wall, throwing his pack over. It's inevitable now that he must retrieve his pack yet still questions his motives, but dreadingly remembers his promise to the boy's mother. As he says in the novel,"it seemed to him that he had not till now fully made up his mind-now that he must break into the garden if only in order to recover the pack" (12). It seems to me that he is at his wits end with himself, and is quite unsure on how to act.
Being alone and having to answer to no one for quite some time may have driven his mind off course.
I find great confusion with this novel and am still trying to make sense of what I'm reading. Yet this is what keeps me tuned in, trying to discover the meaning of what's coming across the paper.
I have to start by saying that over the years, I've grown to like the science-fiction genre. It was different growing up in a house rooted in a different culture. My parents, both from Mexico, thought that the “fantastically fake” movies and stories were a waste of time. Then I came in the picture. My dad took me to see Star Wars, which was my first Sci-Fi genre anything, and I remember loving it. So did my dad. This was the introduction of science fiction to my family. With more Star Wars films, books, video games and comics being advertised on TV, my family had no choice but to give in and adjust to the American culture. I really like what Patrick Stone said or defined that “Sci-Fi is definitely a genre different from others. It is the presentation of our imagination through a physical medium”, he just really has a way with words.
ReplyDeleteI say this because in Mexico and with my family, it used to be strange for a child to have likings of “non-real” things, especially literature. After my parents saw that many of our friends and neighbors were entranced by the space travel, dog-fights in the stars and made-up, inhabited planets, they took me to see these movies and read the books so that I could fit in. It was nice because science-fiction was and still is my escape from reality and lets me forget about problems for a little while. In Out of the Silent Planet, the main character, Ransom is taken away from earth against his will after being drugged (2, pg 20). I already like the beginning of the book and I know I am going to enjoy reading this book.
Personally, I don’t think someone has to love science-fiction in order to like this book because C.S. Lewis writes and depicts the scenery so well. So all in all, I really do enjoy science-fiction (more watching it than reading) and I feel that my taste for Sci-Fi will help me to savor Out of the Silent Planet much more.
When you said that this book was a science fiction novel, I instantly was brought back to my freshman English 106 class (which I dropped, by the way). My teacher then was obsessed with science fiction and all the books we were to read that semester were, you guessed it, science fiction. When I think of science fiction I think of books like The Andromeda Strain and even non-outer space books like Frankenstein. I find most science fiction to be interesting because it's not the everyday type of stuff that happens to you. It really makes me use my imagination and I like that. The only time I don’t enjoy science fiction is when the author gets too extravagant with their terminology and I can’t understand what is going on.
ReplyDeleteSo far the book is an easy read with such short chapters, which is a nice alternative to The Odyssey. The first 3 chapters did not even seem like science fiction to me because it was just about Ransom being caught in a storm, trying to find a place to stay, and then is drugged. Chapter 4 finally introduces the element of space and I feel that this is where the good part of the story begins. The dialogue is kind of blah in my opinion but the description of things is keeping me interested. I really enjoyed the descriptions Ransom was thinking when he was trying to picture what a sorn was in chapter 5. Overall, I think I will really enjoy this book.
In reading, in movies, and if possible in music, I have always steered away from science fiction. I have never really been a fan. I prefer to engage myself in things that I feel I can relate to in everyday life. However I can admit that I have ignorance to science fiction because I choose not to divulge myself into it, I may be missing out.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with Megan, science fiction for me also stems from media and how other people perceive it. I tend to stay away from anything that relates to Sci-Fi, especially the TV network. For me it is as if I feel like Twilight zones and aliens could never exist, but in the back of my mind what if they do exist? As far as reading the text I’m actually interested in reading further. It has been hard for me to get into the book given that I feel like I know little about science fiction but I’m willing to give it a shot.
So far in this book it is questionable how these scenes could actually come about, although in the beginning chapters I felt that it was an ordinary book. Chapter 3 was when I started to lose some interest. As he started to describe his location and surroundings saying he was in “some moving vessel” (Ch 3.p 25), then also saying it was “An airship…some kind of flying machine”. I was able to imagine seeing this is my head, but it made me think of the Astronaut farmer (though I did not watch this movie in its entirety) and I doubted how this “machine” would come about.
In Chapter 4 Ransom and Weston are discussing their journey to Malacandra. Weston reveals that there are inhabitants on this planet and he knew the “real” name of the planet. Now this starts leading me to wonder how are they able to communicate with these so called inhabitants. In Chapter 5 we learn that the inhabitants are called “sorns”, so now I am curious of the description of said creatures.
So given that I am not one to choose to read science fiction or divulge myself into it, this book is getting my imagination going and I am interested to see where this story ends up.
Most people have a genre preference when reading as opposed to the "whatever" attitude when reading and I am no different. I am not a science fiction fan at all and I think that this is for reasons that are both legitimate and fabricated. I tried to approach "Silent Planet" with an open mind and although it seemed to be conforming to my stereotypes at times there have been bright spots in the early parts of the book.
ReplyDeleteI think that the reasons that I am not a fan of science fiction to begin with stem mostly from my parents. When I was a little kid they read to me a lot and the titles were the likes of "The Old Man and the Sea" by Hemingway. Because of this early influence I think that I have always liked books that speak of realistic internal struggles in everyday life that I can relate to. This idea is confirmed when you consider that the first book I ever read on my own that I truly enjoyed and re-read was J.D. Salinger's "Catcher in the Rye". I tried to read the "Harry Potter" books as a kid but the presence of events that were not possible in real life caused me to put the books down immediately. For this reason I was interested to see how this book turned out, being as I was forced to give it a chance and read all the way through.
I have completed the first seven chapters of the C.S. Lewis text and I must admit that early on when one of the characters is said to be "separated by an astronomical distance from every other member of the human race, except two"(p32)I was turned off a bit from the text. However, as I read I realized that the inner struggle and presence of human emotion that can be related to may be a little different but is still present in stories like this one. The best example of a relate-able character is Ransom and when he reacts to the realization that he is in space with words that resemble "the way a child speaks of ghosts or a frightened man of cancer"(p27) the book takes on a more realistic and "real life" tone. I am interested to see how this story turns out and am glad that I was forced to give this genre a chance even though I cannot say that I have completely changed my mind just yet.
My experience with science fiction started since I was small. My father loves science fiction movies. I still remember watching alien 1, 2, 3 and alien resurrection with him during the weekends. And I enjoyed it very much. Some of my favorite sci-fi movies would be Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, Jurassic Park, I am Legend, Transformers, Avatar and a lot. Sci-fi movies are always accompanied by incredible special effect that really attracted me. And the plot will be very interesting because it will always be something that none of us have experience on.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I never really had a good experience on reading science fiction books. I tried reading a book that was an adaptation on the movie, Alien 3, and it bored me to death. I cannot continue reading after page 10. It was really weird because I love the movie. After that book, I never read any other science fiction books. When I heard that we are going to read Out of the Silent Planet by C.S Lewis, I already had a mindset that I am not going to enjoy this book.
But after reading Out of the Silent Planet until chapter 9, I am so surprised that I enjoyed reading it. C.S. Lewis made it very interesting by using a lot of descriptions. I actually feel like watching a movie because I can clearly picture it in my mind. “Water-tins, oxygen-cylinders, guns, ammunition, and food stuff had to be piled on the floor” (pg 39). So far, I am enjoying this book and I cannot wait to finish reading it.
My dad has always been into Sci-Fi movies. When growing up I was exposed to them and quite enjoyed them. Of course not all of the movies I saw were so great. In some, the plot was almost non-existent, the characters were cheesy, and the special effects were cheap and unrealistic. However, in some, I was engrossed in the atmosphere the movie created. It was mystical, magical, and unlike any thing I had ever seen before. Another thing that made me intrigued by sci-fi were the unlikelihood of the scenarios. Through those experiences I have mixed feelings about science fiction. In my opinion, science fiction is a mesh of fantasy and science. It generally includes unlikely events, monsters, experiments, and circumstances. They almost seem like dreams in some instances. My opinion derives mostly from movies I have seen including Dreamcatcher, I am Legend, E.T., and others. I believe the opinions that I have acquired about science fiction will lead me to be fascinated with the journey of Ransom, but I will also be very scrutinizing throughout this tale. The text so far has definitely got me interested to read further. The descriptions and ways in which C.S. Lewis writes is definitely one of the deciding factors in whether or not I will like the book. One of my favorite descriptions was on chapter 4, page 27, “You mean we’re-in space.” Ransom uttered the word with difficulty as a frightened child speaks of ghosts or a frightened man of cancer. I loved how the author compared the way in which he asked the question to people in different situations. An example of an unlikely situation would be in chapter 6, page 39, when the characters are being described as “…gaining weight every minute and doubling in weight with every twenty-four hours”. This of course would not be likely to happen in our reality. But of course, all rules are off in Science Fiction novels. Along with that description, the entire situation is completely unlikely. Drugging a man and taking him to a make-shift space ship in which characters travel to a far away planet is utterly unheard of in the real world and would never happen. That is the joy of science fiction and I hope to keep enjoying this novel of unlikely instances and creatures.
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