When and Who? This was C.S LewisÂ’ first science fiction story, and published in 1938.

What happens? A Cambridge professor is hiking in the UK when he finds himself kidnapped by an old school-mate who has developed a rocket ship and takes them both to Mars.

WhatÂ’s Mars Like? A semi-medieval but highly developed culture with plentiful gold, warm rivers and thin mountains.

Why should I read it? Lewis apparently wrote the novel after a conversation with J.R.R. Tolkien after both men complained about the quality of modern books. They agreed that Lewis would write a space-travel story, and Tolkien would write a time-travel one. Tolkien's story only exists as a fragment.

Another fact? The book is the first of a trilogy of books with is sometimes called his Space Trilogy. The other volumes are Perelandra and That Hideous Strength.