That Hideous Strength

C.S. Lewis

Mark Studdock is a sociology professor at Braddock College. He is recruited by N.I.C.E., the National Institute of Coordinated Experiments. He soon finds himself involved in a circle of secrets and intrigue. Then he realizes that no one ever seems to leave N.I.C.E. Yet he is accepted into the inner circle. Mark is happiest when accepted into the elite group.

Meanwhile his wife Jane is waiting at their home. She is having odd, realistic dreams. She approaches some people recommended by friends. She goes to St. Anne's seeking answers. She finds Grace Ironwood, Camilla Dennison, mice that come on command, and a freindly bear. She also discovers that her dreams are actually future visions.

Before the Studdocks know it, they are involved in the ultimate war of good vs evil. There are dark powers at work, trying to get loose in England. Their town of Edgestowe becomes the center for a battle that originates from space. The Eldill met previously in Out of the Silent Planet and Perelandra are attempting to penetrate the dark cloud that surrounds Earth.

This is the last books of C.S. Lewis' space trilogy. This finishes Ransome's story. It is also the longest and weakest of the three. There is a lot of action, not a lot of believability. I enjoy Lewis' work, but only read this one again because I wanted to read the first two and this is the obvious conclusion. It pulls in elements of the other two, but the action is all on Earth and never quite pulls together.

2/1/2010

I received this comment from Susan:

"Hi Jandy, I felt I just had to write after reading your review of this book. I first read the Space Trilogy about 40 years ago and at that time I would have agreed wholeheartedly with your review. However, time changes things, and over the years I have come to appreciate the story and I now find it the best and strongest of the three, and one I can go back to again and again. Give it another go and you might see what I’m talking about. From one voracious reader to another."

Do you agree with her? I know she's not alone in her opinion. Thanks, Susan.