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That Hideous Strength: A Modern Fairy-Tale for Grown-Ups Audiobook
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(3.00) - 13,009 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
This is the final book in C. S. Lewis’s acclaimed Ransom Trilogy, which includes Out of the Silent Planet and Perelandra. A classic work of fantasy as much for the wonder of its storytelling as for its insights into the human condition, the trilogy stages an epic battle between forces of light and darkness across a canvas of other worlds.
In That Hideous Strength, the brave philologist Dr. Ransom (modeled after Lewis’s friend J. R. R. Tolkien) finds himself in a world of superior alien beings and scientific experiments run amok. There is a rumor that the powerful wizard Merlin has returned to the world of the living, and a sinister technocratic organization plans to use his power in their plot to “recondition” society. Ransom’s fight for moral wisdom in a brave new universe dominated by science is a quest filled with intrigue and suspense.
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"The references to all the classic dystopian warning stories like 1984, Brave New World, Fahrenheit 451, Animal Farm, and more are at an all time high. That Hideous Strength deserves to be at the top of the list. Lewis not only accurately predicted the outcome of nascent troubles starting in his day he does something unique in the genre. Instead of only showing the horrors of the problem and leaving you in despair with a critique without a solution, he provides the only possible solution in vivid detail in direct contrast to the hideous strength. This book unmasks the horrors of unbridled materialism and personal avarice leading to transhuman dystopia rapidly unfolding before our eyes and provides a path forward to restore all things starting with personal relationships and on through the institutions and creation itself. "
— Umai Kakudo (5 out of 5 stars)
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“Biting wit, superlatively nonsensical excitement, challenging implications.”
— New York Times -
“Well-written, fast-paced satirical fantasy.”
— Time -
“In his usual polished prose, the author creates an elaborate satiric picture of a war between morality and devilry.”
— New Yorker -
“An extravagant mingling of dream and realism…Excellent and thrilling reading.”
— Daily Telegraph (London) -
“No one in the least susceptible to Mr. Lewis’ conjurations…can drop the book at all.”
— Saturday Review
That Hideous Strength Listener Reviews
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Kathryn Mullen, 10/31/2024
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Ansric, 10/24/2022
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jrb, 1/16/2022
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Marek Krzywdzinski, 12/20/2021
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" This is a wonderful reading of a great - and timely - book, as we suffer under thumb of those 'who punish us for our benefit and therefore without end'. The reader has done the research into the collection of unusual mythological words used, has a beautiful speaking voice and can do the accents very well. "
— Brett_McS, 8/21/2021 -
" It has been a couple of years since I read this book, so some of the plot details have escaped my mind. What hasn't escaped my mind is the nightmare-inducing imagery that fills this novel. Lewis has a such gift for describing the grotesque! While I can't see these books being made into movies, there are some passages in this work and in Perelandra that would lend themselves so well to film, simply because of the terror they would incite from the viewer. But then again, those images probably would not be as terrible if they existed in realms other than the written word. Must re-read soon! "
— Makenzie, 2/3/2014 -
" This is #1 on my list of favorites. Of course, you will want to read the two preceeding books in the Space Trilogy, but this is an epic tale of good vs. evil, and sacrifice vs. selfishness. "
— Lane, 1/27/2014 -
" Very different from the first two books in the series. I thought it was faster-paced with more fleshed out characters. Liked it, but like the first two books it will not go down as a favorite. "
— David, 1/17/2014 -
" Hey, at least I was honest. "
— Paul, 12/6/2013 -
" Loved it. The whole Space Trilogy was amazing. "
— Jamie, 12/1/2013 -
" I enjoyed reading this trilogy. It was a bit like reading "Screwtape Letters" again. I think Lewis is brillant in how he is able to show us the tactics that the "Dark Side" uses again us. "
— Avonlea, 12/1/2013 -
" Weird. Philosophical. Interesting. Tough to read. Wondering where humanity is headed now, 100 years later. "
— Deborah, 12/1/2013 -
" heaviest of the space trilogy. a little long towards the end. still good. "
— Matt, 10/17/2013 -
" The conclusion to Lewis's science-fiction series. A great read! :-) "
— Linda, 10/1/2013 -
" I started reading this book in "08, but I didn't really understand it, so I plan on picking it back up later on. "
— Madeline, 9/3/2013 -
" I loved the first two books, but one word troubled me as I tried to get into the third. And that word was 'Merlin'. "
— Red, 8/16/2013 -
" This book gives me courage. "
— Norah, 5/17/2013 -
" It's such a good book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "
— Alicia, 2/11/2013 -
" It wasn't my favorite Lewis book but I would LOVE to hear from anyone else who enjoyed the book. There are some parts that I need to discuss further with someone else in order to gain full appreciation of them. "
— Wendy, 2/7/2013 -
" viva la clive! "
— mr., 11/25/2012 -
" Lewis' typical failings apply, and then some, but this is still a powerful, impressive piece. "
— Bill, 11/14/2012 -
" NOTHING like the first two books. About Communism. "
— Melissa, 10/20/2011 -
" Read the trilogy. "
— Alice, 10/15/2011 -
" As always, CS Lewis writes amazing stuff. I really got into all three books. "
— Barb, 6/2/2011 -
" great metaphors and a very intense story! "
— Brenton, 5/10/2011 -
" These are my favorite C.S.Lewis books. The writing is rich, the critique of materialism is brilliant, and the weaving of the stories are just brilliant hands down. "
— Justin, 4/28/2011 -
" This is my all-time favourite read (besides Phillip Pullman's Dark Materials). The entire trilogy is pure fantasy awesomeness. This is a series I re-read every couple of years. "
— Ally, 4/23/2011 -
" I'm a sucker for trilogies, and this stands as my favorite to date. It combines sci-fi and philosophy, two of my favorite things which happen to be Clive Staple's strengths. "
— Lynette, 3/18/2011 -
" Didn't like it enough to finish listening too it. Too many other books I want to read... "
— Kimberly, 3/14/2011 -
" my favorite Lewis. i have read all three a number of times and get something new each time. "
— Jessica, 3/12/2011 -
" Probably should re-read as although I enjoyed these 3 books, I did read them at a very young age and thus had difficulty understanding them. "
— Ryan, 3/5/2011 -
" I hated the last book in the trilogy; it wasn't very good. The first two were fairly interesting though. "
— Elaine, 1/28/2011 -
" A great Science Fiction trilogy by Lewis. Book 2 is my favorite, but there isn't much that I don't like about any of these books. "
— Jstrick, 1/26/2011 -
" CSL at his wordiest. Beloved by millions, but my wife and I weren't fans. "
— Adam, 1/4/2011 -
" I read these when I was young as well. Really remember liking them and want to reread them. "
— Jared, 1/3/2011 -
" Superb! A great "adult" version of the Chronicles of Narnia. "
— Matt, 12/27/2010 -
" I would like to read them again. The first time through was in high school and they didn't make much sense to me. "
— Jimmy, 12/10/2010 -
" Profound, thought provoking, its C.S. Lewis, what more can you say. "
— Karen, 11/22/2010 -
" This collection really gets your imagination going. Amazing description throughout! "
— Adam, 11/9/2010
About C. S. Lewis
Clive Staples Lewis (1898–1963) was one of the intellectual giants of the twentieth century and arguably the most influential Christian writer of his day. He was a fellow and tutor in English literature at Oxford University until 1954, when he was unanimously elected to the chair of Medieval and Renaissance English at Cambridge University, a position he held until his retirement. His major contributions to literary criticism, children’s literature, fantasy literature, and popular theology brought him international renown and acclaim. Lewis wrote more than thirty books, allowing him to reach a vast audience, and his works continue to attract thousands of new readers every year. His most distinguished and popular accomplishments include the Chronicles of Narnia, Out of the Silent Planet, The Four Loves, The Screwtape Letters, and Mere Christianity.
About Geoffrey Howard
Geoffrey Howard (a.k.a. Ralph Cosham) was a stage actor and an award-winning narrator. He recorded more than 100 audiobooks in his lifetime and won the prestigious Audio Award for Best Narration and several AudioFile Earphones Awards.