Book Review
Solaris (1961) by Stanisław Lem, translated by Bill Johnston.
Lem's most famous novel is about three human scientists trying to establish communications with the vast, intelligent, ocean-like alien that covers the surface of the planet Solaris. This proves difficult, however, as the point of their human science- the ideological desire to map and territorialize- is focused and reflected back on the characters with traumatic intensity. The scientists are brutally confronted with psychological invasions that force them to question everything they're trying to accomplish.
The novel is intensely psychological throughout. Besides being a fascinatingly realistic character study, it also offers advanced theses about communication, understanding, and human nature. Throughout, the novel seems deeply pessimistic about the ability of humans (and science) to understand the world.
After reading Solaris, I'm struck by the novel's intensity and scope, and feel very out of depth. I have the sense of there being so much more meaning that I just can't analyze or understand yet. I will definitely be revisiting this book in the future. (As I write this, I am preparing to watch the 1972 movie adaptation, dir. Andrei Tarkovsky, and will probably post my thoughts about that soon.) Definitely one of the best books I have read in quite a while. Highly Recommend.
