Solaris

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Thomas Dachsel Not at all an easy question, because Lem wrote in very different subgenres of Science Fiction; some of his more theoretical works are not Science Fict…moreNot at all an easy question, because Lem wrote in very different subgenres of Science Fiction; some of his more theoretical works are not Science Fiction at all (although they are still published under that label). My all-time favorites are the Ijon Tichy books as they are sufficiently "light" and quite humorous, and prepare the reader for the tougher rides of his other books. "The Star Diaries" is a breath-taking joyride through a number of SF tropes, but the most captivating is "The Futurological Congress" (and it is not too long). This would be a great starting point.

"The Invincible" and "His Master's Voice" are great works, but I think his more "short-story-oriented" works are more easily accessible. Lem tends to meander in purely theoretical realms for whole chapters in a lot of his books, and this can become rather tiresome for a number of readers. "Solaris" is no exception to this, e.g. the chapter on the history of the research on Solaris, and the whole library of books written about it.(less)
Isabella I think that something l like this HAS to be occurring. With the ocean creating scenes that are recognizable to humans, it HAS to be because of human …moreI think that something l like this HAS to be occurring. With the ocean creating scenes that are recognizable to humans, it HAS to be because of human contact/influence. This is a great theory.(less)
Finia
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Edin Čahtarević It could be too late for your report, but...
In the Lem's new book in English: "Truth and other stories" there is foreword from Kim Stanley Robinson (a…more
It could be too late for your report, but...
In the Lem's new book in English: "Truth and other stories" there is foreword from Kim Stanley Robinson (author of Mars trilogy) in which he said:
"...Solaris, which tells the alien story so definitively that it renders unnecessary any more alien stories."
I agree with Mr. Robinson: next to Solaris, all other aliens look pale.(less)

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