A Compass for Deep Heaven: Navigating the C. S. Lewis Ransom Trilogy

by Diana Pavlac Glyer (Editor), Julianne Johnson (Editor), S.L. Jensen (Introduction)

Unlike more popular works like the Chronicles of Narnia and Mere Christianity , C. S. Lewis’s Ransom Trilogy is lesser-known and often perplexing. Out of the Silent Planet and Perelandra take readers on adventures through the heavens; That Hideous Strength delves deep into topics much closer to home. In the process, these books allude to everything from H. G. Wells and the World Wars to Medieval cosmology and Arthurian Legend; therefore, there is much to be gained from an introduction to Lewis's broad and eclectic interests. Written to be accessible and useful to fans and scholars alike, A Compass for Deep Heaven provides the background information, historical context, and literary insight readers need to navigate the cosmos of Lewis’s science fiction. It does not merely inform; it shows how these contexts clarify key messages and reveal the real-world warnings hidden there.

Genres: Literary Criticism, Essays, Nonfiction, Theology, Christian

208 pages, Paperback

First published August 3, 2021

About the author

Diana Pavlac Glyer thinks that studying faded pencil marks on dusty manuscripts is more fun than going to Disneyland. That's why she has spent more than 40 years combing through archives and lurking in libraries. She is a leading expert on C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and the Inklings. Her book "The Company They Keep" changed the way we talk about these writers. Read more of her work on the Inklings in "BANDERSNATCH: C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and the Creative Collaboration of the Inklings." Bandersnatch is practical and really inspiring. Her scholarship, her teaching, and her work as an artist all circle back to one common theme: creativity thrives in community.

Reviews

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compass is like one of those book analyses from high school English class - except well written. In each chapter, one of the authors breaks down a different element of the Cosmic Trilogy. The examination of scientism (chapter 3) and the Arthurian legend (chapter 7) were especially illuminating. Thanks for letting me borrow this, JJ!

[Gina Dalfonzo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm intrigued by the insights and wisdom offered here about Lewis's space trilogy. Any fan of that series will want to get this book.

(Note: I was given a condensed review copy.)

[Michael Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a terrific collection of essays on different aspects of the Ransom Trilogy, and is just like a compass or a map. I enjoyed the chapters on the medieval cosmology and Scientism but I was already familiar with those subjects from Lewis's works. I do think that the chapter on Scientism by Rachel Roller needs especial attention today. However, I particularly enjoyed Daniel Hsieh's two essays on the Arthuriana in the trilogy, specifically "That Hideous Strength." I've always enjoyed Arthurian legends, but I hadn't done that much study into the references in this trilogy. This book is aptly titled, a true compass; however, it's also a great feast as well, very devotional and practical, leading to praise.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this collection of essays. I borrowed it from the library but plan to purchase it to reread many times.

[Roy · Rating 5 out of 5]

When one goes on a journey, an essential device to take along is a compass. It sets direction and, with an appropriate map, can provide an orientation that would otherwise confound the traveler. Such is the case with this book of essays that are carefully knit together to provide a commentary and guide to the sometimes-confounding Ransom trilogy by C.S. Lewis. Glyer, Johnson, and their authors give us insight that would be completely missed without their guidance.
Even careful students of Lewis will discover new items from this less popular series of Lewis that are insightful and revealing. I frequently found myself saying, aloud, “I never knew that” and “hmmm” while reading the essays in this guide.
Indeed, a guide it is. Starting with the introduction by S.L. Jensen, we see that Lewis and his good friend J.R.R. Tolkien challenged each other to write stories of the kind that they would like to read, mostly on Lewis’s urging. The authors of this guide provide these kinds of tidbits and full-fledged insights of how Lewis approached this story. We are frequently reminded that cosmology, medievalism, and mythology were such a part of Lewis’s being that these elements infused everything he wrote. Hidden behind the plot are elements that “lead to the discovery of the literal truth behind a well-known myth,” as Lewis put it. Without this guide, we would likely miss those elements.
Lewis was the more successful of the two in this first foray into writing a full-length novel. Tolkien’s effort resulted in a few chapters that were abandoned, although they later inspired parts of what became The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Lewis’s work developed beyond the first novel to include the trilogy of Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra, and That Hideous Strength. All three parts of Lewis’s trilogy are given full support through the essays in this “compass”.
Just when we think that so much has already been said about C.S. Lewis and even of the Ransom trilogy – indeed two other excellent books exist – we have this new edition that is an excellent contribution for the benefit of Lewis fans, scholars, and those who think they (and his space trilogy) are beyond them.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Compass for Deep Heaven has been hanging out on my to-buy list since it was first published, and I finally was able to justify it as completely necessary when I began my CS Lewis class prep. It's a fabulous collection of essays examining Lewis's Ransom Trilogy, looking at everything from myth and monsters to medieval cosmology and Arthurian legend. I have filled it with post-it notes and will likely read it again before the summer is up. It is both accessible and engaging and I highly recommend it for anyone who loves Lewis and wants to dive a little deeper.

[Peter Buckingham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great essays. Each essay covers a unique aspect of the trilogy and avoids stepping on the toes of others keeping the information fresh and free of unnecessary religion, which these types of works often fall into. The section on Arthur is particularly enlightening. Enough content to inform thoroughly but also point the reader to conduct a study of their own.

[G. Salter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read several books on Lewis' trilogy, this is easily the best introduction to the series I've found. It's accessible without dumbing things down, intelligent without being too dense.