A Stanislaw Lem Reader

Rethinking Theory

by Peter Swirski, Stanisław Lem (Contributor)

Polish-born Lem is one of the best-selling unknown writers of science fiction in the US. This collection assembles in-depth and insightful writings by and about, as well as interviews with, Lem. Two interviews are separated by Lem's own 1991 essay in which he surveys in detail 30 years of his earlier work, much of which has never been translated into English. Readers interested in Lem's provocative and uncompromising view of literature's role in the contemporary cultural environment, and in Lem's opinions about his own fiction, about the relation of literature to science and technology, and the dead ends of contemporary culture, will be fascinated by this eclectic collection.
 

Genres: Science Fiction, Essays, Novels

131 pages, Paperback

First published November 12, 1997

Reviews

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Contains invaluable extra-reading for Stanislaw Lem fans. Some reprinted reflection of his past work by Lem himself, criticism from Peter Swirski, and interviews between the two. Swirski seems most interested (I would go so far to say "hung up on") game theory, and what game theory means in Lem's work, and for Lem himself. I guess it was a trendy thing back in the day, and it seems like Lem was genuinely fascinated with this field, but today its just... not the most interesting thing about Lem's work.

[Brian · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not what I expected. I have not read any Lem. I saw the movie Solaris and have read authors that list him as an inspiration. When I picked this up I thought it was an anthology of his shorter works. Instead, there's an introductory essay that is written in a way that assumes some familiarity with the author. I almost stopped reading that half-way through. The rest of the book are three different interviews that are dense and rambling, sometimes revealing plot twists and spoilers. The later interviews are more philosophical in nature and Lem repudiates or harshly criticizes some of his earlier works, particularly in his early phase of being naive and subject to strict censorship. A Stanislaw Lem Reader will not deter me from reading more of his work, but his work seems less important to me now than it was before.

[Savannah Boucher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haven't read this collection but love Lem since Solaris, would love to know more about Lem

[Wucaixia · Rating 5 out of 5]

excelent

[Ethan Chan · Rating 5 out of 5]

i have bought this book,i like it!

[Excel · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing book!
This book really opened my minds and depended my understanding about the Lem.

[Cassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is really great！

[Chen Qiangpan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 1992 interview is the best part of this book, includes many of his thoughts on philosophy, science , and writing impulses.

[Andy P · Rating 2 out of 5]

Academic, "ivory-tower" discussion of philosophical themes in Lem's work.
This will only be of interest to only the most ardent of Lem fans.

[Richard Southard · Rating 2 out of 5]

Whether intended or not, the title is rather misleading: this is not a selection of excerpts or pieces from Stanislaw Lem's work. Peter Swirski is referring to himself as a "reader" of Lem, which I suppose does make sense considering the modest position he places himself, but it's still unnecessarily ambiguous if you don't have a chance to view the contents (the highly exaggerated publisher description doesn't help).

In regards to contents, it's also rather limited. There's an introduction by Swirski followed by two interviews with Lem and one essay written by him. "Thirty Years Later" is a long afterword for his Summa Technologiae, following up on some of its scientific and technological predictions. It's an engaging piece for those who are interested in this part of his thinking, but hard to recommend to anyone more inclined to his fiction.

The same can be said of the two interviews, both of which are similar and only vary in their scholarly depth. They mostly concern with Lem's views regarding philosophy, literature and science (though more of the first two). I've read more of Lem's literary criticism and essays than his fiction and can generally say I've gotten more out of the former overall. So while I enjoyed the discussions, it's safe to say they're only for those that like this side of Lem's work (and even still, the collection Microworlds does far better job in representing it).

[Amanda Mecke]

Haven't read this collection yet but love Lem since Prix the Pilot stories. An under appreciated European writer.

[Vince · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read. Excellent insight in to an incredible author.

[Megan May · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was attracted by the book of solaris, but it's hard to find a English introduction of Lem and his books, fortunately I've found this book :-)

[Hans]

This book is absolutely deserved complete reading and careful examine for it contains very much profound ideas that evoke comprehensive thinking about human and society.