Which C.S. Lewis book was first published in 1938 as the opening novel of his Space Trilogy?

Out of the Silent Planet was first published in 1938 as the opening novel of C.S. Lewis’s Space Trilogy.

The novel follows philologist Elwin Ransom after he is abducted and taken to Malacandra, a planet commonly identified with Mars. There he encounters several intelligent species and learns that Earth is known as Thulcandra, the “silent planet.” The story combines planetary adventure with Christian and philosophical themes.

The book was followed by Perelandra in 1943 and That Hideous Strength in 1945. Together, the three novels form what is often called the Space Trilogy, although the books differ in setting and tone. Lewis’s friend J.R.R. Tolkien encouraged him to write science fiction, and Lewis in turn supported Tolkien’s developing work.

The opening novel is sometimes confused with Perelandra because both are set largely beyond Earth. The publication order is clear: Out of the Silent Planet came first, in 1938.