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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
funny
informative
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
There's something of 'Tintin in space with extra science' to these five tales, though there are sections in most of them that rise above the boy's adventure motifs into something that just grazes the sublime. This is especially true of the final tale, Terminus, which is written in far more enticing prose than the rest. Not quite up there with Lem's best (Solaris, His Master's Voice, Fiasco, Eden), a little minor, but very enjoyable nonetheless.
The Test: 4
The Conditioned Reflex: 3 for the story, 4 for the sensory depravation section in the early part
On Patrol: 4
The Albatross: 3 - the weakest of the lot
Terminus: 4.5
The Test: 4
The Conditioned Reflex: 3 for the story, 4 for the sensory depravation section in the early part
On Patrol: 4
The Albatross: 3 - the weakest of the lot
Terminus: 4.5
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Thoroughly mediocre short stories about an unpleasant narrator who observes things happening around him without ever doing much of anything himself.
adventurous
challenging
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It's not my favourite of Stanislaw Lem's books. That's mainly due to how it's written - whether it's the translator's interpretation or Lem's writing, his prose often turned out too long for my personal liking. That's not to say it's bad, but I felt it dragged in ways that more modern literature avoids nowadays.
The quality of the stories as always are gold. I do like Lem's storytelling, he lays things out very plainly and let's the reader gather the pieces to figure out what's going on. My number one favourite story from the collection was 'Terminus', which from other reviews I've read, seems to be the consensus.
What is it with sad robot stories? As a writer, I think I need to get on that too.
The quality of the stories as always are gold. I do like Lem's storytelling, he lays things out very plainly and let's the reader gather the pieces to figure out what's going on. My number one favourite story from the collection was 'Terminus', which from other reviews I've read, seems to be the consensus.
What is it with sad robot stories? As a writer, I think I need to get on that too.
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Interesting, dated science fiction. A couple hauntingly tragic stories. I generally prefer not to read tragedies - these took me by surprise.