Perelandra

"I was young yesterday."

This quote has stuck with me since I read it at the beginning of chapter five and in many ways sums up the book.

In typical Lewis form, this book is deep and makes you think so hard that you realize how young you were yesterday before knowing what you know today.

Though clearly Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Perelandra takes you to the depths of spirituality, seeking to understand who God is and the What Ifs that we often consider had the fall never happened, with the conclusion that even in the evil of the fall it was still what was supposed to be. While a very challenging read, I appreciate that it made me think and took me to the Word of God to see more of who He is.

Now, in all honesty, when Ransom first arrived on Perelandra and they are describing this world my first thought was, "What was Lewis on???" The description of the planet is almost beyond comprehension and made my head hurt trying to understand it. But it is interesting to imagine a planet so incredible different from our own that even in the "what in the world" thoughts it made it fun.

Throughout the middle I really appreciated the theological debates as the Lady and the Devil talk while the devil tempts her and then Ransom seeks to show the better way. There were many deep thoughts that caught my attention and sent me into prayer to understand what was being said according to Scripture. I love a good parallel that helps me delve into the truths of God's Word.

So as the Lady declares when she first talks with Ransom, "I was young yesterday" but today I'm a little older from reading this book and investigating the arguments and thoughts found in it.

I would give this book 4 stars. It's intriguing but difficult to read

Reading Challenges:
Back to the Classics Challenge- this is my 20th century classic
Challies's 2019 Reading Challenge- Book by C.S. Lewis in the Committed section