chedwards72 's review for:

Solaris by Stanisław Lem

3.0

challenging mysterious reflective slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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This books was filled with so many fascinating ideas and themes.

I love the idea of an alien so different from us that it remains inherently unknowable. The idea that as humans, our experience with aliens will always be colored by our human and earthly experiences and as such all things outside of us are inherently unknowable. I appreciate that the mystery of the ocean isn't tied up in the end. I found it interesting that the scientists at Solaris would not meet as a group when their "visitors" were present, as if they were afraid to let others see whatever and whoever had been brought out from their subconscious. And finally, I enjoyed the questions of when does science become religion.

There is so much to love and appreciate here, and yet I found myself feeling frustrated throughout most of the reading experience. I was tired by the time I was halfway through and this is not a long book. Kelvin doesn't quite work for me as a protagonist here, except at the very end. I found him emotionless at most times and indecisive in a way that didn't fit with the narrative in my opinion. 

I was torn how to rate this, because I think this book has a lot of brilliant ideas, but I also give star reviews based on my personal enjoyment of books, and I just didn't enjoy the reading experience with this one.