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A review by versmonesprit
The Three Electroknights by Stanisław Lem
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Woah! Before I was even finished with the first of the 4 stories (all taken from Mortal Engines) I had ordered several of Lem’s books. This does come at a time I have decided to become a science fiction person (previously only ever being a Dune girlie) but I’m very picky with what I choose to add to my home library, foregoing many books that would be considered classics in the genre. Lem’s stories are imaginative, vivid, and profoundly beautiful in their imagery and subject alike.
The titular story is unexpectedly lyrical (what a feat to achieve in translation!) and such a brief but strong tale about colonialism.
The second, no less beautiful, is so touching and timeless as it concerns the hubris of curiosity. Despite Lem being an atheist, this also has elements that are unmistakably Christian.
The third story once again had profound remarks and concepts that left me in a state of wonder. But the story of the third sage was entirely lost on me — oops. That’s probably my bad, but it made me go back and forth between a 4 star review and a 5 star one. In the end Lem’s genius won.
The last one… oh my God. Here Lem touches on power poisoning. And sorry if you consider this a spoiler, but the ending does something I am a COMPLETE sucker for: the narrative blurring of lines. It feels like reality being swept from under your feet as you freefall into a state of suspension inside warmth, beauty, true literature.
The absurdity of these stories is nothing short of delectable, and I equally love their crystalline clarity. They are magical. A must read for anyone who yearns for the intersection of literature and SciFi.
The titular story is unexpectedly lyrical (what a feat to achieve in translation!) and such a brief but strong tale about colonialism.
The second, no less beautiful, is so touching and timeless as it concerns the hubris of curiosity. Despite Lem being an atheist, this also has elements that are unmistakably Christian.
The third story once again had profound remarks and concepts that left me in a state of wonder. But the story of the third sage was entirely lost on me — oops. That’s probably my bad, but it made me go back and forth between a 4 star review and a 5 star one. In the end Lem’s genius won.
The last one… oh my God. Here Lem touches on power poisoning. And sorry if you consider this a spoiler, but the ending does something I am a COMPLETE sucker for: the narrative blurring of lines. It feels like reality being swept from under your feet as you freefall into a state of suspension inside warmth, beauty, true literature.
The absurdity of these stories is nothing short of delectable, and I equally love their crystalline clarity. They are magical. A must read for anyone who yearns for the intersection of literature and SciFi.