This is one of those books that should fall into the "why haven't I read that yet" category. Hailed as a classic of Science fiction writing, it was first published by the Polish writer Stanislaw Lem in 1961. This English translation, by Joanna Kilmartin and Steve Cox, dates from 1970. At least I have now read it and will return to read it again. I think this is a wonderful book.

If you are looking for action packed SF this is not for you. This is a philosophical musing on humanity and its relationship with the alien, the unknown. This book is rich with descriptions of the ocean planet Solaris. It also describes the increasing isolation of the scientists as over the years they fail to come to any understanding. Is it sentient? Is it trying to communicate? Theories aplenty but no real conclusions. I like the questions it asks of us. ( )

Stanislaw Lem's best "serious" work, this book deals with the problems of inter-species communication. Highly philosophical. ( )

I was very disappointed when I read Solaris. It is a book I had been looking forward to reading for years.

For me it was too slow and drawn out. There were too many things left for the reader to "understand" or think up for themselves. I found the descriptions of the ever changing planet forms tedious. I had been thinking of watching the George Clooney film, but now I don't think I'll bother.

Some people say "Solaris" was Eastern Europe's response to "2001, A Space Odyssey". Well, I had problems with that movie. There were parts of it that were tedious and other bits that were excellent. I did, however, think the novelisation was brilliant and "The Sentinel", ok!
(2001 was more "good", than "tedious". It pushed the envelope in so many ways and gave us so many new things; both in cinematography and Science Fiction tropes.)

The "Solaris" novel was a good response to the tedious parts of the "2001" movie; it mirrored them well. ( )

Solaris was a disappointing read despite its high reputation. We never learn enough about the planet and I found the long elaboration of former expeditions boring. The dramatic changes of the ship crew is quite interesting though and I would have loved to read more about it. ( )

Solaris was a disappointing read despite its high reputation. We never learn enough about the planet and I found the long elaboration of former expeditions boring. The dramatic changes of the ship crew is quite interesting though and I would have loved to read more about it. ( )