Set in the 1940's, Ransom a literary scholar, the main character, is kidnapped by a Weston the physicist who is the first man to discover a practical means of space travel. On arriving on Mars the highly advanced beings and species living there are found to call Earth 'the silent planet'. These are some of the most interesting and original aliens in all the science fiction that I am familiar with.
They, like us, are a fallen race, but they have almost completely recreated a Paradisal way of life. They deal with the evil Weston and the innocent Ransom in very different ways. | ||
Plot & Themes Tone of book - sensitive (sigh....) FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - science fiction story Explore/1st contact/ enviro story Yes Explore: Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book Religious overtones? Yes Descript. of chases or violence - 10 % planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 30 % Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 20 % Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 40 % Main Character Identity: - Male Profession/status: Age: - 20's-30's Main Adversary Identity: - Male Profession/status: How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a moderate amount How sensitive is this character? Sense of humor - Cynical sense of humor Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters Setting Terrain Which planet? - Mars A substantial portion of this book takes place on a non-Earth planetary body: - inhabited by friendly aliens Planet outside solar system? Yes Not Earth, in Solar System? Yes Writing Style Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment scientific jargon? (SF only) - none/very little science jargon needed How much dialogue? - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog |