May discussion - "Solaris" by Stanislaw Lem

The book for our May 2024 discussion is Solaris, by the Polish writer Stanislaw Lem. Awarded numerous honors throughout his lifetime, including the Franz Kafka Prize for Literature in 1991, Lem wrote science fiction with a satirical and humorous eye for detail. Having twice been adapted as a film, Solaris is probably his best-known work in English. It can be argued that the novel features one of the most interesting depictions of non-humanoid extraterrestrial life ever created, Lem having deliberately created a lifeform that would defy personification—a gelatinous, ocean-like entity that covers most of the planet Solaris.

In the story, all attempts to communicate with the alien lifeform on Solaris have failed. Attempts to study it have likewise yielded few to no results despite decades of research, and the Solaris project is in danger of being shut down. When Kris Kelvin, a psychologist, arrives aboard the research station located above Solaris, he discovers that the only colleague on the station whom he knew personally is dead and the two other scientists on board are behaving strangely. Slowly, Kelvin pieces together the facts: an unauthorized experiment conducted shortly before his arrival, during which the surface of the planet was bombarded with X-rays, has drawn a response from the alien ocean both unexpected and psychologically traumatic for the humans. When Kelvin, too, begins to experience the strange effects of the experiment, we see just how deep the flaws of human beings go for each of the individuals involved—the two long-term station residents and newcomer Kelvin alike.

This month’s discussion will be held at Tai Kwun in the Between Café (located on 2/F inside JC Contemporary) on Sunday, 26th of May @1:00 pm. Please note: the café asks that for large groups, guests buy at least one beverage per person and one snack per table. You can check out their menu here. And here is a map of Tai Kwun; the cafe is inside the museum (building 20).

After the discussion, we will choose the next book by group vote. Please bring your suggestions for future books!

**As we have recently had a waiting list, please don't forget to hit the "not going" button in Meetup if you change your mind about coming. Many thanks in advance!!