The Space Trilogy Books in Order

This reading order guide provides the complete list of the Space Trilogy books in order, from the very first to the latest, so you won’t miss anything!

About the Space Trilogy Series

C.S. Lewis’ Space Trilogy, sometimes called The Cosmic Trilogy or The Ransom Trilogy, is a unique and powerful blend of science fiction, fantasy, and theology that continues to captivate readers across generations. This three-part series—Out of the Silent Planet (1938), Perelandra (1943), and That Hideous Strength (1945)—offers more than just interplanetary adventure. It’s a deeply imaginative journey that explores good and evil, the nature of humanity, and the spiritual forces that shape the universe. At the heart of the trilogy is Elwin Ransom, a humble Cambridge philologist whose travels take him far beyond Earth and into spiritual and moral realms unknown to most science fiction.

Unlike many science fiction books of its time, Lewis’s trilogy doesn’t focus on futuristic gadgets or technology. Instead, it reads more like a myth or a spiritual fable, where space is not a cold and empty void, but a place full of meaning, life, and divine order. The planets in Lewis’s universe are not just spheres of rock and gas—they are ancient, living worlds, each watched over by powerful spiritual beings called Oyéresu, who serve the will of Maleldil, Lewis’s name for God. Earth, sadly, is known as Thulcandra, the Silent Planet, because it has been cut off from this cosmic harmony by the rebellion of its guardian, the Bent One—an allegory for Satan.

The trilogy begins with Out of the Silent Planet, where Ransom is kidnapped by two scientists and taken to Mars, or Malacandra, a world still rich with spiritual order and peace. Here, Ransom discovers that Earth is viewed with sadness and fear by the other planets, because of its isolation and corruption. He meets several intelligent species who live in harmony with nature and with the spiritual realm, which challenges his Earth-based assumptions about power, intelligence, and progress. This first book is more than an alien adventure—it’s a quiet yet profound reflection on our place in the cosmos.

In Perelandra, also known as Voyage to Venus, Ransom is sent to Venus, or Perelandra, a beautiful and unspoiled world in the early stages of its own creation story. There, he must prevent the fall of its first human inhabitants by confronting evil in the form of Professor Weston, his old adversary, who is now possessed by dark forces. The book dives deep into philosophical and theological questions, especially around temptation, obedience, and the meaning of freedom. At the same time, it’s a lush, vivid story full of poetic landscapes, inner battles, and suspenseful moments that keep readers engaged.

The final book, That Hideous Strength, takes place entirely on Earth and shifts to a darker, more satirical tone. It follows a young couple, Mark and Jane Studdock, as they get caught in the schemes of N.I.C.E., a scientific organization with hidden, demonic intentions. Ransom returns as a transformed figure, now a spiritual leader working to resist the evil that threatens to reshape Earth. This novel mixes political intrigue, dystopian elements, and supernatural forces, all while wrestling with the modern world’s tendency to reject truth and moral order. Although it’s very different in tone from the first two books, it provides a dramatic and fitting conclusion to the trilogy.

Throughout all three books, Lewis masterfully blends Christian theology with classical mythology and science fiction. His universe is rich with symbolism, and his writing evokes wonder, awe, and a sense of the sacred. Readers who enjoy the philosophical depth of authors like Tolkien, the cosmic perspective of writers like Olaf Stapledon, or the moral clarity of classic fairy tales will find The Space Trilogy both thought-provoking and deeply moving.

Though written in the 20th century, Lewis’s trilogy feels more relevant than ever. In an age of rapid technological advancement and spiritual uncertainty, The Space Trilogy reminds us that the biggest battles are not always out in space—but within the soul. It invites us to imagine a universe where love, truth, and divine purpose are not just possibilities—they’re the very fabric of reality.