I had in the days of my distant youth read David Lindsay’s A VOYAGE TO ARCTURUS, while in no way understanding the heavily-disguised symbolic point of that strangely haunted, abundantly imaginative, and ultimately nihilistic work, nor did I see, in my robust innocence of mind, the moral degradation and despair of Lindsay. I wonder if the book’s other title, VOYAGE TO VENUS, was chosen in homage to David Lindsay’s novel? I am convinced that Lewis was consciously copying themes and ideas and inspirations from these books.
In this respect, allow me to dwell on merely two books: THE TIME MACHINE by HG Wells and A VOYAGE TO ARCTURUS by David Lindsay. The greatest change in my own viewpoint across the years is the change from an inability to see the work in context compared to the other works of science fiction before and after it. The Christian apologetic of the book, or what there is of it, is not the main appeal. This makes me conclude that, like OUT OF THE SILENT PLANET, the book is actually a better book of science fiction qua science fiction than those who sit in the seats of the scornful are likely to admit. And I take this ability to offer to each reader what he wants and no more, to be a sign of a superior author. In other words, if any atheist reader of mine is worried that the alleged Christian propaganda of the work is so cloying it will stick in his throat, all I can say is that I was likely a fiercer atheist then than you are now, and it did not stick in mine.Īgain, I can assure my Christian readers that there are the typical trenchant insights of Lewis into the human condition and the divine nature all fans of his come to expect, if you look for them but they are not intrusive if you are not looking for them. Of the various experiences which changed my view on PERELANDRA, the smallest change was due to my conversion.
Wise readers will read the book before reading this essay.
As I grew, the book got bigger.Īs with the previous article, I write for readers who have read the Space Trilogy, so spoilers abound. I will report that the change is entirely favorable. As I mentioned in my previous column on OUT OF THE SILENT PLANET, Lewis’ first in that trilogy, it is interesting to note the difference reading it as a youth compared to as a greybeard. I had the opportunity to reread PERELANDRA, the second in CS Lewis’ Space Trilogy.
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