Took a break from classic lit to read pic related. It was meh.

It's not one of my favorites from Lem. I liked some of the bits that talk about exploring space and making contact as a pseudo religion. I guess I just couldn't relate to his personal struggles as much even though going by my personal experience I really should. And all that pseudo science clogging up a good story. It would make for a great horror game setting though.

I liked Fiasko and the Invincible much more.

>>7790145
I didn't enjoy it because Stanisław is a terrible name, even in Poland.

>>7790145
It's recent english translation is highly recommended than what's been available because of that whole Polish to french to english deal instead of a direct translation. Ebook only
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00Q21MVAI/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?ie=UTF8&btkr=1

The science portions were my favorite parts personally, the insert with the pilot getting interviewed was a great way to describe the unreality of it all.

It's my favorite SF novel and I hope to reread it before long. The recent direct translation by Bill Johnston is vastly superior to the double translation via French by Kilmartin and Cox. Also the book is far more serious than most all of Lem's other writing. I highly recommend The Cyberiad for a different angle on Lem.

I like how it explores the limits to our knowledge of each other. The Solaristics parts are fun too and a nice nod to Borges. I think the rush to be rid of the visitor had to do with fear and denial of our limits--look at the maladaptive ways the other visitors were dealt with too--and also how our own shortcomings can be packaged up with people we've lost, a convenient coping skill the characters on the station were denied in various ways. My take, anyway.

>>7790244
Yeah the pilot getting interviewed was good. I felt the scientists were just so stupid though. They dismissed the pilot so easily. "He must have been exposed to atmosphere, he's clearly tripping"