A Stanislaw Lem Reader (Rethinking Theory) [Hardcover]

Peter Swirski (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 12, 1997 | Series: Rethinking Theory

A series of interviews and critical dialogues with the late Stanislaw Lem whose writings have been translated into over 40 languages and have sold over 35 million copies. For those who only know him as a novelist, A Stanislaw Lem Reader is an excellent introduction to Lem's philosophy, scientific speculation, literary criticism, and social theory, while remaining perfectly accessible to readers unfamiliar with any of his works.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Kirkus Reviews

Contrary to what the title suggests, this is not so much a sampler of Lem's writings as an introduction to and overview of the Polish writer's work. Swirski, a lecturer at McGill University (Canada), opens with an essay summarizing Lem's career and the major themes of his writings. Then comes a long 1992 interview with Lem, ``Reflections on Literature, Philosophy and Science.'' Lem contributes a retrospective essay primarily devoted to examining the accuracy of his 1964 book, Summa Technologiae, an essay in futurology in which he forecast (among other things) computer virtual reality. Another interview from 1994 consists of Lem's written responses to various broad questions on his thought and writings. The overall effect is to give an excellent, if very condensed, view of Lem's special concerns, particularly on the relationships between fiction and the real world. He comments in detail, for instance, on several writers who have attempted to portray Poland during the Nazi occupation, finding most to have missed the mark (Jerzy Kosinski in The Painted Bird overplays the peasants' sexual promiscuity, for instance). His observations on the ephemeral nature of much political satire (from Huxley's Brave New World to the Strugatsky brothers' attacks on Stalinism) draw attention to the rarely examined question of the place of the predictive element in fiction. While he has kept at arm's length from popular science fiction, Lem remains one of the few writers of fiction who is deeply conversant with scientific thought and who makes a point of getting his science right. His interest in philosophy is also genuine and wide-reaching, as numerous comments indicate. Densely written, with something to think about in almost every paragraph, this is probably the best quick introduction to the main currents of the large body of work Lem has produced over the last half-century. -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Review

Having read no Lem before, this book was eye-opening. It's more than an introduction to his work, although it is that--it contains a rich couple of interviews with an outstanding scientific and literary mind. Rarely do these qualities come together so well, not from a style point-of-view, but from a critical one, as here. --GoodReads

OF COURSE, IT IS ALWAYS A PLEASURE to listen to Lem's ideas, to read Lem's words, and an additional pleasure to "overhear" a more off-the-cuff-Lem--in a personal interview with the author. For readers like myself without knowledge of the Polish language, A Stanislaw Leto Reader presents the opportunity to discover aspects of Lem not otherwise accessible. --Utopian Studies

For those who only know him as a novelist, A Stanislaw Lem Reader is an excellent introduction to Lem's philosophy, scientific speculation, literary criticism, and social theory. It should, however, be perfectly accessible to those unfamiliar with any of his works. --Danny Yee's Book Reviews

If the purpose of science fiction is to provoke thought rather than merely entertain, then A Stanislaw Lem Reader is well worth the reader's time and effort. --Extrapolation --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 129 pages
• Publisher: Northwestern University Press; 1 edition (November 12, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810114941
• ISBN-13: 978-0810114944
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,810,897 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another chapter on Lem, April 25, 2006

By 

George Patinki (new jersey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Stanislaw Lem Reader (Rethinking Theory) (Paperback)

The book is unusual, no doubt, for a "reader;" actually it's hardly a Lem reader as such. It consists of a long critical introduction/analysis plus a couple of long interviews on everything under the sun and a translation of a major (and mordantly Lemian) piece on computers, virtual reality, and its ab/uses.

Much as I enjoyed it, I liked another chapter on Lem much more, this one is in another book by Swirski, From Lowbrow to Nobrow. Entire chapter six is on Lem's Chain of Chance, and it's brilliant, written more like a cross between philosophical journalism and a reader's guide, check it, it's a classic

37 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Difficult but worthwhile..., November 4, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: A Stanislaw Lem Reader (Rethinking Theory) (Paperback)

A lot of information for being approx. 150 pages as every single page contains pertinent content. (In other words, there is not one single wasted line or sentence.) Very strong writing with a nice flair as it focuses on the interdisciplinary side of Lem's novels, rather than being just an ordinary literary review. The interviews with Lem are also thought provoking; since it allows Lem's "voice" to be "heard". However, it is a little dense and at some points may be difficult to decipher exactly what the author or Lem is trying to say as both use vocabulary that is not quite "layman's terms". Still, overall it does give good insight to Lem and is a useful introduction to Lem's works. In addition, the author's focus (how literature interacts with science and society)is a breath of fresh air compared to what is usually circulating around in the guise of literary criticism!

29 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant, challenging, innovative, thought-provoking..., July 9, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: A Stanislaw Lem Reader (Rethinking Theory) (Paperback)

I did not know anything about Lem before--this is a great and utterly challenging introduction to just about anything that Lem wrote about: contemporary culture, literature, science, philosophy. I admire the interviewer: it must have been a difficult task of arranging and editing (and translating) these talks. I read this book and bought a few Lem novels--what a treat! I recommend A Stanislaw Lem Reader to all who love literature and are of reflective nature.