Solaris / The Chain of Chance / A Perfect Vacuum

Name: Solaris / The Chain of Chance / A Perfect Vacuum
Rating: 3.9 (28 reviews)
Author: Unknown Author
ISBN: 9780140055399

by Unknown Author

3.9

(28 ratings)

544 pages1981Penguin BooksISBN 9780140055399

Fiction Science Fiction Science

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About this book

The cult-classic by Stanislaw Lem that spawned the movie is now available for your Kindle! Until now the only English edition was a 1970 version, which was translated from French and which Lem himself described as a "poor translation." This wonderful new English translation (by Bill Johnston) of Lem's classic Solaris is a must-have for fans of Lem's classic novel. Telling of humanity's encounter with an alien intelligence on the planet Solaris, the 1961 novel is a cult classic, exploring the ultimate futility of attempting to communicate with extra-terrestrial life. When Kris Kelvin arrives at the planet Solaris to study the ocean that covers its surface, he finds a painful, hitherto unconscious memory embodied in the living physical likeness of a long-dead lover. Others examining the planet, Kelvin learns, are plagued with their own repressed and newly corporeal memories. The Solaris ocean may be a massive brain that creates these incarnate memories, though its purpose in doing so is unknown, forcing the scientists to shift the focus of their quest and wonder if they can truly understand the universe without first understanding what lies within their hearts.

Publication Details

Publisher: Penguin Books
Published: 1981
Pages: 544
ISBN: 9780140055399

About Unknown Author

Stanisław Herman Lem (12 September 1921 – 27 March 2006) was a Polish author known for his contributions to science fiction, philosophy, and literary criticism. Born in Lwów, Poland (now Lviv, Ukraine), Lem initially pursued medical studies, which, though unfinished due to fears of military conscription and discomfort with medical practice, laid the groundwork for his scientifically rigorous and philosophically rich writing. His early experiences during World War II, including surviving with false papers to avoid the Nazi Lwów Ghetto, deeply influenced his worldview. Lem's literary career began in 1946 with publications in various genres, including poetry and science fiction. His writings explore complex themes such as the nature of intelligence, human limitations, the challenges of communicating with alien entities, existential despair, and the implications of technological advancements. Notable works include [*Solaris*][1], which delves into the difficulties of understanding an alien intelligence, [*His Master's Voice*][2], focusing on humanity's struggle to decipher an extraterrestrial message, [*The Invincible*][3], a narrative about a spaceship encountering self-replicating machines, and [*The Cyberiad*][4], offering a satirical view of a mechanical universe. His works have been translated into over 50 languages, with sales exceeding 40 million copies worldwide. Known for elaborate neologisms and intricate wordplay, Lem's writing posed significant translation challenges. Several of his works have been adapted for film and television, including *Solaris* (1972, by Andrei Tarkovsky, and 2002, by Steven Soderbergh). Lem's writings are recognised for their philosophical depth, imaginative scope, and incisive critique of humanity's relationship with technology and the cosmos, often blending satire and humour. He was critical of American science fiction, often expressing dissatisfaction with its lack of intellectual depth and commercial focus, advocating for mo