Book Series · 3 Books

Space Trilogy Books

In order from Out of the Silent Planet to That Hideous Strength.

C. S. Lewis's philosophical science-fiction trilogy follows scholar Elwin Ransom from other worlds to an authoritarian struggle on Earth, blending planetary adventure with Christian theology and social criticism.

Reviewed by the Bookroo Editors Updated

Out of the Silent Planet
Perelandra
That Hideous Strength
Out of the Silent Planet
Perelandra
Reading order

How to Read the Space Trilogy

Read Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra, and That Hideous Strength in publication and numbered order. Ransom's experiences and the trilogy's ideas build from one novel to the next.

The third book shifts from planetary exploration to a longer, darker story set on Earth. It assumes familiarity with Ransom and the moral conflict established in the first two books.

Sources: Simon & Schuster's official Space Trilogy order.

For parents

What Parents Should Know

These are adult classics rather than children's novels. The prose and philosophical discussions can be demanding, and the Christian worldview is central rather than incidental; the books also invite discussion about colonialism, power, temptation, and the misuse of science.

The stories include kidnapping, threats, shootings, deaths, frightening supernatural evil, animal experimentation, authoritarian violence, and disturbing imagery. That Hideous Strength is the most intense and contains dated ideas about gender and marriage that families may want to discuss.

Where the story begins

First Book in the Series

Out of the Silent Planet
Sale price
$1697
Book #1 · Chapter Book · Ages 14–18 · 1938

Out of the Silent Planet

By C. S. Lewis

Abducted to Mars, a man must escape his captors and survive an alien world.

158 pages
$17.99Save 6%
Paperback
Summary: Dr. Ransom, abducted by a ruthless physicist, finds himself on Mars, intended as a human sacrifice. As he escapes his captors, he navigates the alien landscape of Malacandra, discovering its wonders and dangers. Will he find a way back to Earth, or will the mysteries of this strange world change him forever? The stakes are high as Ransom's journey unfolds in a battle between light and darkness, challenging his understanding of humanity and the universe. This is the thrilling start to a classic science fiction trilogy that explores profound moral questions.
In reading order

Space Trilogy Series

3 books · Published 1938–1945

#1
Out of the Silent Planet
#1 in Series
Sale price
$1697

Out of the Silent Planet

Chapter Book · Ages 14–18 · 1938

Abducted to Mars, a man must escape his captors and survive an alien world.

#2
Perelandra
#2 in Series
Sale price
$1597

Perelandra

Chapter Book · Ages 14–18 · 1943

A professor battles a dark force threatening a utopian planet's existence.

#3
That Hideous Strength
#3 in Series
Sale price
$1697

That Hideous Strength

Chapter Book · Ages 14–18 · 1945

Dark forces seek Merlin's power to reshape Earth. Can ancient wisdom stop them?

Good to know

Common Questions

How many books are in the Space Trilogy series?

There are 3 books in the Space Trilogy series. It began with Out of the Silent Planet in 1938, and the newest book, That Hideous Strength, was published in 1945.

What order should you read the Space Trilogy books in?

Start with Out of the Silent Planet and follow the series order — the books above are numbered #1 through #3.

What ages are the Space Trilogy books best for?

The series is best for ages 14–18, based on the age ranges of the individual books.

The people

The Creative Behind the Books

The people who bring Space Trilogy to life.

01

C. S. Lewis

Author

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