Solaris

by Stanislaw Lem
Solaris cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Science Fiction (Sci-Fi)
Technical:
  • ID: 1908
  • Added: 2025-10-11
  • Updated: 2025-10-11
  • ISBN: 9780571311576
  • Published: 2014-06-01
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 4
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Waterstones
Paperback • £9.99

Kris Kelvin arrives at the enigmatic planet Solaris to study its vast, sentient ocean, only to be confronted by a physical embodiment of a painful memory—a long-dead lover. As other scientists on the station experience similar phenomena, speculation arises that the ocean may be a colossal, enigmatic brain capable of manifesting human memories. The novel delves into the complex interplay between human consciousness and the unknown, questioning whether true understanding of the universe requires an inward journey as much as an outward one. Solaris is a profound exploration of human psychology and the limits of human understanding. The novel's speculative science and philosophical depth make it a timeless classic that challenges readers to consider the nature of reality and the boundaries between the self and the external world.

Reviews
The Book Shark · The Book Shark · 2025-10-11
excellent 4.50

The book is excellent and thought-provoking, although the film adaptation is also highly enjoyable. It offers a rich and rewarding reading experience.

The Book Shark finds Solaris to be an excellent and thought-provoking novel. They enjoyed the film adaptation more, likely because they viewed it first, but the book still offers a rich and rewarding experience. The reviewer appreciates the novel's depth and complexity, finding it to be a compelling exploration of human psychology and the mysteries of the universe. The Book Shark recommends Solaris to readers who enjoy thought-provoking science fiction that challenges their understanding of reality.

Quick quotes

    My verdict is that the book was excellent, and although I enjoyed the Tarkovsky film more, it's likely that was because I viewed it first and it has stayed with me.

    The book offers a rich and rewarding reading experience.

    Solaris is a thought-provoking novel that challenges readers' understanding of reality.

Paul Harrald · Paul Harrald · 2025-10-11
intriguing 3.00

The book is a profound failure but a generative one, revealing the limits of Lem's philosophical stance. It betrays its own premises in intriguing ways.

Paul Harrald finds Solaris to be a profound failure, but one that is generative in its exploration of philosophical ideas. They argue that the book reveals the limits of Lem's stance by constantly betraying it, which makes for a fascinating read. Harrald appreciates the complexity and the way the novel challenges its own premises, making it a thought-provoking, albeit flawed, work.

Quick quotes

    Solaris is a profound failure. But a generative one.

    It reveals the limits of Lem's philosophical stance by betraying it at every turn.

    He sets up a philosophical stance that the novel itself undermines in fascinating ways.

The Reader · 2025-10-11
thought-provoking 4.00

The book delves into the essence of human existence and the divide between art and science. It's a thought-provoking exploration of our place in the universe.

This review highlights how Solaris challenges readers to consider the fundamental questions of existence and the relationship between the arts and sciences. The reviewer appreciates the depth of the book's philosophical inquiries, noting its ability to make readers reflect on their own perceptions and understanding of the cosmos. It's a book that doesn't shy away from complex ideas, making it a rewarding read for those willing to engage with its themes.

Quick quotes

    Solaris is a book that examines the fundamentals of our existence and place in the universe.

    It questions the divergence between the arts and sciences.

    The book's true power lies in its ability to make us question our own understanding of reality.

Jeroen's Thoughts · 821-01-02
creepy 4.50

One of the best and creepiest science fiction novels, it's a rich and rewarding read. The story of Kelvin's psychological journey is both haunting and profound.

The reviewer describes Solaris as one of the most impactful science fiction novels they've read, praising its depth and the eerie atmosphere it creates. They find the exploration of Kelvin's psychological state particularly compelling, noting how the book delves into themes of guilt and human understanding. The reviewer appreciates the novel's ability to unsettle and provoke thought, making it a standout in the genre.

Quick quotes

    Solaris is one of the best - and creepiest - science fiction novels I have ever read.

    It is the story of Kelvin, a psychologist, whose journey is both haunting and profound.

    The novel's exploration of guilt and human understanding is particularly compelling.

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