A Stanislaw Lem Reader (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.

Customer Reviews:

Another chapter on Lem

By George Patinki - April 25, 2006

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

Difficult but worthwhile...

By A Customer - November 4, 2001

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!

Brilliant, challenging, innovative, thought-provoking...

By A Customer - July 9, 1999

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.