Summary
That Hideous Strength, published in 1945, is the final novel in C.S. Lewis's acclaimed Space Trilogy. This work concludes the adventures of Dr. Elwin Ransom as he faces a sinister conspiracy on Earth. Unlike the previous books set on Mars and Venus, That Hideous Strength takes place entirely on our planet, blending elements of dystopian fiction, Arthurian legend, and Christian theology. The novel centers around Mark and Jane Studdock, a newly married couple drawn into a conflict between the nefarious N.I.C.E. organization and a small group of allies led by Ransom. Lewis uses this story to explore ethical questions related to science and technology, the dangers of unchecked power, and the role of faith in modern society—themes that continue to resonate with readers in the 21st century.
Plot
That Hideous Strength follows Mark and Jane Studdock, a newly married couple in post-war England. Mark, a sociologist, is recruited to join the National Institute of Co-ordinated Experiments (N.I.C.E.), a scientific organization with sinister motives. Meanwhile, Jane experiences strange prophetic dreams and seeks help from a group at St. Anne's Manor led by Dr. Elwin Ransom, who is connected to supernatural forces.
As Mark becomes more deeply involved, he discovers N.I.C.E.’s true nature and identity as a front for dark supernatural powers with plans to control humanity. Jane's visions lead the St. Anne's group to search for the awakened wizard Merlin, who they believe can help them counter N.I.C.E.'s influence.
Using violence and manipulation, N.I.C.E. takes control of the town of Edgestow while also searching for Merlin, believing he will join their nefarious cause. Mark gradually becomes disillusioned with N.I.C.E. and attempts to escape, while Jane undergoes spiritual experiences that lead her to embrace Christianity.
In the climax, Merlin, empowered by angelic beings, infiltrates N.I.C.E. headquarters disguised as an interpreter. He casts a spell that causes chaos and destruction among the N.I.C.E. leadership. As the organization crumbles, Mark escapes and reunites with Jane at St. Anne's, where they reconcile and begin to heal their marriage.
Themes
Conflict between science/technology and spirituality
Dangers of unchecked institutional power
Marriage and relationships
Christian theology and mythology
Corruption and moral decay in society
The nature of good and evil
The importance of free will and individual choice
Setting
That Hideous Strength takes place in post-World War II England, likely around 1948 based on the internal timeline of C.S. Lewis's Space Trilogy. The story unfolds primarily in the fictional English town of Edgestow and its surrounding areas, providing a quintessential backdrop of mid-20th century British academic and rural life.
At the heart of the setting is the University of Edgestow, where much of the early action occurs. As the story progresses, the focus shifts to two key locations—the newly established headquarters of the National Institute of Co-ordinated Experiments (N.I.C.E.) in nearby Belbury, and St. Anne's Manor. These contrasting settings represent the opposing forces in the narrative—the scientific materialism of N.I.C.E. versus the spiritual resistance centered at St. Anne's.
Lewis vividly portrays a Britain in transition, grappling with post-war changes and the encroachment of modern bureaucracy on traditional ways of life. The fictional Edgestow, with its ancient woods and legends of Merlin, stands as a microcosm of England itself—a place where the past and present collide.
Characters
Mark Studdock: A young, ambitious sociologist who becomes entangled with the N.I.C.E. organization. He is easily manipulated by his desire to be part of the “inner circle” but gradually comes to reject their evil agenda. Mark's journey represents the struggle between integrity and the lure of power. His relationship with his wife Jane is strained but ultimately redeemed.
Jane Studdock: Mark's wife, a scholar struggling with her academic pursuits and marriage. She discovers she has prophetic dreams and becomes involved with the group at St. Anne's. Jane's spiritual awakening and growth in faith form a central part of the story. Her visions prove crucial in the conflict against N.I.C.E.
Dr. Elwin Ransom: The protagonist from the previous books in the Space Trilogy, now leader of the group at St. Anne's. Ransom, also called “the Director” and “the Pendragon," communicates with angelic beings and guides the resistance against N.I.C.E. His Christ-like qualities and spiritual authority make him a pivotal figure in the story.
John Wither: The Deputy Director and true leader of N.I.C.E. Wither is a vague, long-winded bureaucrat whose mind has been corrupted by supernatural evil forces. His nebulous speech and thinking exemplify the dehumanizing effects of the N.I.C.E. ideology.
Professor Augustus Frost: A cold, logical psychologist who is one of the few initiates aware of the true demonic nature of N.I.C.E. Frost attempts to indoctrinate Mark into N.I.C.E.'s inner circle through a program of “objectivity” training.
Miss Hardcastle: The sadistic head of the N.I.C.E. police force. Known as “The Fairy," she takes pleasure in torturing prisoners, particularly women, and represents the brutality inherent in the N.I.C.E.'s totalitarian vision.
Merlin: The legendary wizard, awakened from centuries of sleep to aid in the battle against N.I.C.E. Merlin becomes a conduit for divine powers and plays a crucial role in the story's climax.
Lord Feverstone: A politician who recruits Mark to N.I.C.E. He is actually Dick Devine from the first book in the trilogy, representing continuity with the earlier cosmic conflicts.
Dr. Cecil Dimble: A scholar and member of the St. Anne's group. He serves as an advisor on Arthurian matters and represents traditional academic values.
Grace Ironwood: A stern but kind psychologist at St. Anne's who helps Jane interpret her visions. She provides rational support for the group's spiritual endeavors.
Quick facts
That Hideous Strength is the third and final book in C.S. Lewis's Space Trilogy, following Out of the Silent Planet and Perelandra.
The novel's title comes from a 16th-century poem by David Lyndsay referring to the Tower of Babel.
Lewis wrote the book during World War II, completing the first draft in 1943.
Unlike the previous two books in the trilogy, That Hideous Strength is set entirely on Earth.
The character of Merlin appears in the story, connecting it to Arthurian legend.
Lewis acknowledged the influence of his friend and fellow author Charles Williams on the Arthurian elements in the novel.
At over 500 pages, That Hideous Strength is the longest and most complex entry in the Space Trilogy.
An abridged version was published under the alternate title The Tortured Planet.
George Orwell reviewed the book in 1945, just two years before writing his own dystopian novel, Nineteen Eighty-Four.
The fictional town of Edgestow, where much of the action takes place, is based on Durham, England.
Lewis stated that the novel's central theme is the same as his nonfiction work The Abolition of Man.
About the Author
C.S. Lewis (1898-1963) was one of the most influential writers and intellectuals of the 20th century. He wrote more than 30 books spanning multiple genres, including fantasy, science fiction, and Christian apologetics. He is perhaps best known for The Chronicles of Narnia, a beloved series of children's fantasy novels that have sold over 100 million copies worldwide and been adapted into major motion pictures.
Born in Belfast, Ireland, Lewis began his career as an academic, holding prestigious positions at both Oxford and Cambridge universities, where he taught English literature. He was a member of the informal literary discussion group known as the Inklings, which included his close friend J.R.R. Tolkien. Lewis's scholarly work focused on medieval and Renaissance literature, but it was his religious writings that brought him widespread fame. Books like Mere Christianity and The Screwtape Letters established Lewis as a leading Christian apologist, using reason and imagination to defend and explain the faith.
Lewis's personal life was marked by tragedy and unexpected joy. Raised in a religious household, he became an atheist as a young man before reconverting to Christianity in his early 30s. The death of his wife Joy Davidman from cancer in 1960, just a few years after their marriage, inspired his raw and deeply personal book A Grief Observed. Despite his fame, Lewis eschewed the limelight and political involvement, preferring to focus on his writing and academic work.
Lewis's influence has only grown. His works continue to sell millions of copies each year and inspire new generations of readers and writers. Lewis societies exist around the world to study and discuss his ideas, and he was honored with a memorial in Poets' Corner at Westminster Abbey in 2013. Whether through his imaginative fiction, incisive apologetics, or profound reflections on faith and human nature, C.S. Lewis remains a towering figure in both literature and Christian thought.
