Posted on 11/20/2015 10:47:55 AM PST by Twotone
Polish science fiction writer Stanislaw Lem (1921-2006) "skillfully dissected the 20th century's foolhardy efforts to create utopias by stifling individuality and economic freedoms." So said cultural critic Bruce Edward Walker. Lem was best known internationally as author of the classic Solaris - twice adapted for the silver screen - but the majority of his fiction featured damning allegories against the suppression of the human spirit.
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The first Lem book I read was “Memoirs Found in a Bathtub”. Darkly funny, excellent. Then I read “ The Cyberiad”. Whimsical and funny, also excellent. Then “Futuralogical Congress”.
I never read “ Solaris”.
I was wondering how many of his stories had been translated into English. I’ve never been much of a science fiction fan, but might have to give his a try. After I finish the mile-high pile of books I already have waiting...
Lem is very darkly funny, he’d easily be the Jonathan Swift or Samuel Clements (in his darker works) of science fiction.
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