Out of the Silent Planet (1938) by C. S. Lewis is the first of the Cosmic Trilogy and an early example of space travel novel featuring far-away planet – Malacandra – and various species of aliens. Allegedly written after a conversation with JRR Tolkien, it is considered by many an erudite fantasy in space more than SF in its own right. Worth a reading for more than one reason, including the philosophical and theological aspects taken into analysis.
