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Solaris

2016 | Fiction & Poetry

When Kris Kelvin arrives at the planet Solaris to study the ocean that covers its surface he is forced to confront a painful, hitherto unconscious memory embodied in the physical likeness of a long-dead lover. Others suffer from the same affliction and speculation rises among scientists that the Solaris ocean may be a massive brain that creates incarnate memories, but its purpose in doing so remains a mystery...Solaris raises a question that has been at the heart of human experience and literature for centuries: can we truly understand the universe around us without first understanding what lies within?



Published by Faber & Faber

Edition Unknown
ISBN 9780571311576
Language N/A

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Solaris Reviews & Ratings (4)
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Sarah (7799 KP) rated

Dec 4, 2017  
Solaris
Solaris
Stanislaw Lem | 2016 | Fiction & Poetry
7
7.3 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
An interesting and intelligent novel
The premise of this book is intriguing, and although astronauts/scientists who appear to have lost their minds on a distant planet isn’t an entirely unique story, this definitely has it’s own take. The planet Solaris is an enigma in itself, helped by there never being a full explanation behind it. The few characters in this are interesting, strong and conflicted, although I do wish we’d seen a bit more of Snaut and Sartorius.

This is a very intelligent take on a science fiction story, with some beautiful imagery, although at times some of the scientific type explanations can become a little laborious. I’m also torn between loving the ambiguity and lack of resolution, to being very frustrated as I wanted to know more than was explained.
(3)   
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Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated

Dec 1, 2017  
Solaris
Solaris
Stanislaw Lem | 2016 | Fiction & Poetry
8
7.3 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
High-brow science fiction
Solaris is a perplexing, impossible world - endeavouring, somehow, to exist and endure in the presence of binary stars with a toxic and corrosive atmosphere constantly enveloping its ink black ocean of intrigue. Hovering above the waves is Solaris station which is an armoured and secluded human outpost, a crumbling and half-forgotten castle in the air.

Scientist Kris Kelvin comes upon an unusual scene in which one of the researchers at the facility has apparently killed himself, another appears to have lost his mind and Snaut, who has a shred of humanity left, is still deeply suspicious. Soon after we discover that apparitions seem to be tormenting them, though they appear to be manifestations or projections of their own deepest, darkest feelings, created by the mystery that is the living ocean of this world. Testing their minds to the limits, we see if they can truly overcome their repressed memories.

It is a haunting novel, and almost parallels the mental health issue of post traumatic stress disorder, and that it can be present in anyone in varying degrees. A visionary science fiction novel.
(2)   
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Michael Cunningham recommended (curated)

 
Solaris
Solaris
Stanislaw Lem | 2016 | Fiction & Poetry
7.3 (4 Ratings)
Book Favorite

"If speculative fiction is the last surviving instance of the novel of ideas, this to me is the greatest of them all."

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Grimes recommended (curated)

 
Solaris
Solaris
Stanislaw Lem | 2016 | Fiction & Poetry
7.3 (4 Ratings)
Book Favorite

“This book scared the shit out of me. I picked it up after watching the film adaptation by Tarkovsky, which is one of my favourite movies. Sometimes I feel like the only explanation for human life is that our planet is a terrible god. I like thinking that planets are living, sentient behemoths that we completely misunderstand. I’m horrified to think what it would be like if such an abstract sentience had no regard for us, or enjoying toying with us. The act of repeatedly killing a doppelganger or a loved one seems so horrific; how could anyone think of something so awful? Whenever people pour cream into coffee in a clear glass, it reminds me of this book, because that’s what I imagine the surface of Solaris to look like.”

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