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Ijon Tichy is the only human who knows for sure whether the self-programming robots on the moon are plotting a terrestrial invasion. But a highly f...
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reviews
May 30, 2011
Chris
rated it: 
A man returns from a reconnaissance mission to the moon with a severed corpus callosum, effectively rendering him as two separate entities in a single body. The left hemisphere of the brain narrates the story, while the right hemisphere causes trouble and may be harboring secrets that governments and agencies around the world would like to get their hands on.
(Unlike most plots that involve a neuroscience gimmick, Nicola did not immediately cringe upon my description.)
It's More...
(Unlike most plots that involve a neuroscience gimmick, Nicola did not immediately cringe upon my description.)
It's More...
Sep 22, 2009
Mark
rated it:
This is a humorous novel by Lem that I read a number of years ago. I believe that it was one of his last works of fiction before he passed away (?) I recall that a good portion of the book included a scathing indictment of SDI/'star wars', i.e., the futility and insanity of building weapons systems in space. For example, one could build a 'defensive' missle shield of some kind in Earth orbit. But then there would be a need to protect the shield, so, say anit-satellites would need to be construct
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Jul 19, 2011
Ivo
rated it: 
Classic Lem, Peace On Earth is a whimsical execution of a great concept. Part insightful look into neurology as it intersects with behavioral psychology and part cold war era hard sci-fi, the book touches both bases well and makes their fusion interesting and integral to the plot. The premise of the book exactly touches on what I have always suspected about the cold war mentality, namely that the whole thing was totally irrational and became more and more self-referential as each military comm
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Apr 08, 2010
Paul
rated it: 
This book was mainly about war and technology vs. humans. In the end of the book, an astronaut brings electronic viruses to Earth after going to the moon where all of the weapons technology is located. These viruses destroy every single computer program on the planet. I think that this is mainly a message about not letting technology get out of control and against war. However, it also says that war is inevitable becuase differnet countries will always be suspicious of each other. The back flap
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Jul 15, 2009
Shirari
rated it:
Lem's story of the arms race crossed with artificial intelligence is a wry, witty, imaginative page-turner that brings us from a futuristic earth to the surface of the moon, where fantastical robots baffle the narrator with their technological innovations. The characters aren't very likable but they're very funny and well-written; the ending fell a little flat but was ultimately satisfying.
Mar 09, 2011
Lolotehe
rated it:
My favorite character in the book is the doctor's brother who is house-sitting (to water and mind the plants). He's using the time to write a book about all the people who discovered what was edible and what was not. Lem spends a few pages going into detail about this wonderful, imaginary book.
All the house-plants died, by the way.
All the house-plants died, by the way.
Jan 04, 2009
just finished it. i'm not a big admirer of sci-fi literature, but what i like in works of Lem that they are so close to the reality and you almost can see our not far future. he basically predicts events and technologies...
Feb 07, 2012
Lucian
rated it:
Pleasantly surprised--not at all what I was expecting after having read Solaris. Great read.
Jul 08, 2011
DMS
rated it:
Just got this back from a friend who pointed out that there were a couple of notes stuffed between pages from other people who'd read it. One called it "intriguing" and "a tough read." The other mentioned the authors "apparent preference for blondes."
Huh.
I only remember being freaked the fuck out by the idea of having my corpus collosum severed and not knowing what the hell I was trying to tell myself.
Huh.
I only remember being freaked the fuck out by the idea of having my corpus collosum severed and not knowing what the hell I was trying to tell myself.
Jul 25, 2008
Thalia
rated it:
I love Stanislaw Lem's work, but if you're not accustomed to it, parts of this book may seem a bit odd. This may be my favorite of his books I've read so far, about the future of war, and the mystery of what is happening on the moon, and one man's right brain trying to talk to his left brain, after his corpus collosem was severed (on the Moon).
May 23, 2008
Jared
rated it:
For an author that was billed as "The Russian Kurt Vonnegut," Lem creates a paranoid future world that is far more antagonistic and less resigned than anything Vonnegut produced.
The plot recklessly plows through genres, blending space adventure, cold war spy thriller, and surrealist play. It's a mess, but it's a wonderful mess.
The plot recklessly plows through genres, blending space adventure, cold war spy thriller, and surrealist play. It's a mess, but it's a wonderful mess.
Jul 12, 2010
Miss natalie
rated it:
this book is telling a story being told by a man who's left and right brain have been severed, and are in a since at war with each other.. it's amazing
Jul 12, 2007
Rosie
rated it:
One of the most clever novels I've read in a while. I highly recommend it.
Sep 01, 2010
Tim
rated it:
My favorite foreign born writer. Humorous genius is so rare. Rest easy, Stanislaw. I miss you, man.
Jan 26, 2012
