Product Description

The third novel in the science-fiction trilogy by C.S. Lewis. This final story is set on Earth, and tells of a terrifying conspiracy against humanity. The story surrounds Mark and Jane Studdock, a newly married couple. Mark is a Sociologist who is enticed to join an organisation called N.I.C.E. which aims to control all human life. His wife, meanwhile, has bizarre prophetic dreams about a decapitated scientist, Alcasan. As Mark is drawn inextricably into the sinister organisation, he discovers the truth of his wife's dreams when he meets the literal head of Alcasan which is being kept alive by infusions of blood. Jane seeks help concerning her dreams at a community called St Anne's, where she meets their leader -- Dr Ransom (the main character of the previous two titles in the trilogy). The story ends in a final spectacular scene at the N.I.C.E. headquarters where Merlin appears to confront the powers of Hell.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #9521 in Books
• Published on: 2005-12-05
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 544 pages

Review
'An extravagant mingling of dream and realism! excellent and thrilling reading' Daily Telegraph

About the Author
Clive Staples Lewis, moralist and novelist, was born in 1898 in Belfast and educated at Malvern and University College, Oxford. He was appointed Professor of Medieval and Renaissance English at Cambridge in 1954. 'Jack' Lewis is best known for his literary criticism, religious and ethical works, science fiction, and most notably for his Narnia chronicles for children. He died in 1963.

Customer Reviews

fascinating conclusion to the space trilogy
This novel is a wonderful conclusion to CS Lewis' space trilogy, which began with Out of the Silent Planet and Perelandra (also published as Voyage to Venus). I use the word 'wonderful' in it's fullest original meaning i.e. full of wonder.
That Hideous Strenght was one of the first SF books I bought and is at least in part responsible for the five crammed bookcases which now house my collection.
Lewis has blended classical, Arthurian, medieval legend and allegory for the climax to the story of Ransome.
The book is suffused throughout with Lewis' Christian beliefs and philosophy but don't let that put you off - as an agnostic bordering on atheist myself I can assure you that it doesn't detract from the book.

Prophetic, wise
I turn to this novel again and again. Lewis put everything he loved into it -- references to J R R Tolkien's mythology, allusions to the theories of Owen Barfield and the poetry of Charles Williams; love of British countryside and weather; economic insights that have won praise from Wendell Berry - - many more examples could be given.

And it's a thrilling story, with psychic dreams, an Orwellian science fiction theme, and a satisfactorily Jacobean climax.

The Best of The Cosmic Trilogy
This book is often unfairly maligned as being the 'weakest' of the three books in the science fiction trilogy. In my humble opinion it is the best. Superlatives will have to suffice: a plethora of superbly sketched characters; a bizarre plot deftly handled with the separate elements woven together nicely at the end; moments of true horror and terror; I could go on and on but - read this book! The influence of Charles Williams' thrillers on 'That Hideous Strength' have been noted before now. In my opinion they are eclipsed by this, a definate curates' egg in English Literature.