A review by sullyisreading
Solaris by Stanisław Lem

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I've never read a book so serious about investing you into the science of a fictional setting like Solaris does. In a way, modern ARGs and creative projects like the Mystery Flesh Pit are reminiscent of Solaris, in detail and confronting powerful creatures/an entity that humans have absolutely no control over. Only, this story is decades old and while outdated in some scientific facts, is incredibly fascinating and feels so well-thought out.

At times, the fictional essays and documents you read through the protagonist become too much. I read through it all, but without more than a fascination and hobby for science, I won't remember much of it as I didn't quite understand everything at play. What I did understand was very, very engaging, however. I wish more stories were like this nowadays, with the ability to make this kind of story-telling more accessible.

I'm sure this wouldn't be everyone's style of sci-fi, it's very retro, but it lives up to the genre's name very well. Highly recommend any of Stanislaw Lem's works, and I'm glad to have read this one.