Zlibrary is one of the largest online libraries in the world that contains over 4,960,000 books and 77,100,000 articles. Books by stanislaw lem stanislaw lem average rating 4. Hence strangeness remains as always with lem inscrutable, and people remain wrapped for eternity in their mythologies. He studied medicine and developed a strong interest in mathematics and other sciences. Lem in a nutshell written interview with stanislaw lem, july 1994. As a regular reader of rational scifi i dont know why i havent read this remarkable epic before. Raymond federman an interview with stanislaw lem i conducted this interview in krakow, poland, in may 1981, at lems house on the outskirts of the city. Several corpses have apparently become reanimated while awaiting burial, and some have disappeared. Books by stanislaw lem the great thinkers website, in association with, the largest bookseller on the web, now offers a collection of books by stanislaw lem. Fiasco may seem to drag at times, but if you remember your roots as a science fiction buff, and let lem take you on this journey, you will be rewarded with the kind of wonder that persists in your mind long after you finish the book, powered by the ideas and considerations lem so beautifully presents. Stanislaw herman lem listen help info september 12, 1921 march 27, 2006 was a polish science fiction writer. Stanislaw lem click on names to see more mathematical fiction by the same author highly rated. The son of a doctor, lem studied medicine at lvov medical institute now lviv. I was aware of solaris but only recently realised that it was written by lem.
His writings are highly philosophical and satirical. The book, published in poland the following year, is a further elaboration of lem s skepticism. Stanislaw lem 19212006 was born in lviv, then part of poland. In investigating a bizarre case of missing and apparently resurrected bodies an investigator at scotland yard consults mystics, philosophers, and most significantly to. Publsihed in 1986 toward the end of the polish authors distinguished career spanning more than half a century, the novel contains at its heart a key theme revisited by mr. The book, published in poland the following year, is a further elaboration of lems skepticism. The meeting was arranged by phone through another polish writer who is the translator of my fiction into polish. Wrappers, cover and title page designed by konstanty m. I have read most of the other scifi classics but this is my first stanislaw lem book.
Fiasco is an amazing story which can be taken at different levels and depths. Stanislaw lem is the original author of solaris, which was adapted as screenplay with george clooney in the main lead. Inappropriate the list including its title or description facilitates illegal activity, or contains hate speech or ad hominem attacks on a fellow goodreads member or author. Contains his opinion on demography, philosophy and politics around the world and in poland. If its the humorous side id say futurological congress or memoirs found in a bathtub, if its his robot mythos id say mortal engines after cyberiad, if sf is your main thing go for p. I read the cyberiad when i was in high school i think.
He is probably the most original and influential european sciencefiction writer since h. Fiasco can be seen as the consecuence of break the first directive of star trek. While most of his works bear the broad science fiction label he was a master of a number of genres and styles from satire to philosophy. Solaris is a 1961 polish science fiction novel by stanislaw lem. A stunningly inventive fantasy about cosmic travel from the kafka prizewinning author of solaris the new york times. In his 1986 novel fiasco, for example, a group of astronauts argues about life beyond its natural phase. Spam or selfpromotional the list is spam or selfpromotional. Translated from a french translation by joanna kilmartin and steve cox. Stanislaw lem biography life, family, death, school. Apart from novels there are a number of discursive works by lem. As gregory, of scotland yard, investigates the cases, he. Stanislaw lem 19212006 one of the greatest contemporary writersa virtuoso storyteller according to the new york times, whose books convey the sense of a mind hovering above the boundaries of the human condition. Fiasko is a science fiction novel by polish author stanislaw lem, first published in a german translation in 1986.
You can find more information about these books and purchase them online by following the links below. The book is about the ultimate inadequacy of communication between human and nonhuman species in probing and examining the oceanic surface of the planet solaris from a hovering research station the human scientists are, in turn, being studied by the sentient planet itself, which probes for and examines the thoughts of the. The hermes explorer ship represents the epitome of earths excellence. Fiasco is a complex sf novel that deepens in a recurrent issue in lem. The new yorker may earn a portion of sales from products and services that are purchased through links. On both page and screen, polish master stanislaw lem makes. On both page and screen, polish master stanislaw lem makes you question reality by isaac butler. According to his own account, he was actually born on the th of september, but the date was changed to the 12th on his birth certificate because of superstition. First edition of lems science fiction novel about the fundamental failure of communication between human and alien species.
Fiasco, the last novel by lem, bitter and pessimistic, summarizes the most important traits of his writing. Incorrect book the list contains an incorrect book please specify the title of the book. Of course, that didnt stop him from writing one of the finest scifi books of the 20th century. Winner of the kafka prize, he was a contributor to many magazines, like the new yorker, and he is the author of numerous works, including solaris. Stanislaw lem is the most widely translated and best known science fiction author writing outside of the english language. Stanislaw lem was a visionary polish author known for solaris 1972. Stanislaw lem, polish author of science fiction that veers between humanism and despair about human limitations. My answer is that it depends on what you like about his work. Clarkes, to create believable accounts of futuristic technology, but the books central. Dialogs 1957, summa technologiae 1964, the philosophy of chance 1968, science fiction and futurology 1970, my view on. The unexpected success of the astronauts made lem write further scienceficiton books, which made him one of the greatest writers in the history of sf. Where aquinas argued for the certainty of a creator, an immortal soul.
With the possible exception of frances jules verne, polish author stanislaw lem 19212006 has been the bestknown science fiction writer to work in a language other than english. I dont think anything can behave as unintelligently as intelligence. If such beings are so far advanced, their activities should be detectable from space. His books have been translated into more than 40 languages, with total sales estimated at some 27 million copies by 2006. Stanislaw lem, fiasco in many important respects fiasco is stanisalw lems crowning achievement. Best known in the west for tarkovskys film of his novel solaris, lem wrote novels and. The opening of lems bestknown novel, solaris, illustrates his capacity, reminiscent of arthur c.
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