Film tie-in edition of Stanislaw Lem's psychological novel set in space.

RELEASE NOTES:

On shelf in passage outside John Smith Bookshop.

Was on the counter as the release notes said. Plan on reading it after a couple of other books. First ever catch too!

This book is held in high regard by most science fiction fans, and for good reason. It was written in 1961 by a Polish author called Stanislaw Lem and has been made into a movie twice, first in 1972 and then again in 2002, at which time it starred George Clooney and was made by Steven Soderbergh.

To summarise the plot: a psychologist is sent to a space station orbiting the planet Solaris. His mission is to determine whether research into Solaris should continue or not. When he arrives he finds the place almost deserted and and the remaining crew hallucinating about people from their past. After a while, he starts seeing his dead wife...

I liked this book a lot. It remains futuristic to this day, which is impressive given that most 45 year old sci-fi is now laughable. As a story it is a great psychological thriller. But what it does fall down on is that it's a heavy going read. It's not something you can sit down with and lazily flick through. It requires concentration, and in some parts is actually a bit boring when it gives in depth descriptions and explanations of ocean phenomenon on Solaris itself.

However, if you like sci-fi and can keep interested to get past the boring bits, you'll find this book has aged well and is a good read. Recommended.

On book shelf. Sorry it took so long but better late than never.