Which C.S. Lewis novel introduces the fictional planet Malacandra?

Out of the Silent Planet introduces the fictional planet Malacandra in C.S. Lewis’s first space-trilogy novel. Published in 1938, it follows Elwin Ransom after he is abducted from Earth and taken aboard a spacecraft.

On Malacandra, Ransom encounters several intelligent species, including the humanoid hrossa, the séroni, and the pfifltriggi. The planet’s inhabitants call Earth “Thulcandra,” meaning the silent planet, because it is isolated from the wider cosmic community.

Lewis used the novel to combine planetary adventure with Christian and philosophical ideas. The story responds in part to the scientific-romance tradition associated with authors such as H.G. Wells, but it rejects the assumption that advanced technology automatically makes a culture morally superior.

The next two books are Perelandra and That Hideous Strength. Perelandra is the name of the second novel’s planet, so it is a common mix-up with Malacandra.