Solaris, Lem S, Science Fiction (Faber & Faber 1961)
Link: Amazon, Goodreads. £6.99 at time of review
Psychologist Kelvin is sent to the Research Station orbiting one of the greatest mysteries encountered by mankind: an oceanic planet that appears to exhibit signs of intelligence. His mission is to evaluate whether the research is a failure. What he finds is utter chaos, scientists driven past the edge of sanity by a force that may be the ocean – and that Kelvin may not be able to escape.
Some books stand the test of time. Others don’t. Early on in this book the word “Negress” is used, and I almost gave up there and then. On top of this is the constant low-grade sexism: Kelvin becomes obsessed with saving a woman because of MAN PAIN, and she is in love with him because, well, you know, that is what women do.
Okay. This is a classic of science fiction. I’ve read Kipling and swallowed his bullshit because it is great writing. But accepting the dated social ideas leads you into a second problem.
Much of this book is essays on epistemology – how we know things and how you can justify a belief. These are essential to the story. Except, well, I had to study epistemology as part of my PhD and this book is, unsurprisingly, 60 years out of date. It is like reading like an essay on how to use leeches to cure period pains.
When he ditches the serious science for the adventure and the impossibility of his quest for redemption, this is a good read. If I had read this when it was first published, I would have thought it marvellous. Kelvin makes a lot of weird decisions, some of which of unquestionably cruel, but there is a good, imaginative adventure in here. Just be ready for it to feel very old-fashioned.
