Description
Book SynopsisLemography is a unique collection of critical essays on Stanislaw Lem, writer and philosopher. Its aim is to introduce aspects of his work hitherto unknown or neglected by scholarship and evaluate his influence on twentieth-century literature and culture—and beyond. The book’s uniqueness is enhanced by the global makeup of the contributors who hail from Canada, United States, Great Britain, Germany, Croatia, Poland, Sweden and Finland. In all cases, these are scholars and translators who for many years have pursued, and in some cases defined, Lem scholarship. Rather than study Lem as a science fiction writer, each essay commands a wider sphere of reference in order to appraise Lem’s literary and philosophical contributions. Each focuses on a different novel (or set of novels) from the writer’s opus, examining them critically. Between them, the essays cover virtually all phases of Lem’s multidimensional career, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
Trade ReviewReviews 'As Lem scholarship grows in size, readers will find plenty of well-articulated thought in these works to ponder upon.'
Bodhisattva Chattopadhyay,
Foundation: The International Review of Science Fiction'Read Lem. And read Swirski. Or the other way around. Whichever way you do it, just do it.'
The Montreal Review'Lemography and Swirski’s
Philosopher of the Future are multi-faceted and original contributions.'
Science Fiction Studies‘All in all, this is an excellent edited collection that deepens our understanding of Lem’s work and legacy, and it will hopefully spur further research into Lem’s oeuvre.’
Michael Godhe,
Fafnir – Nordic Journal of Science Fiction and Fantasy Research Table of Contents
- Lem Redux: From Poland to the World - WACLAW M. OSADNIK and PETER SWIRSKI
- The Unknown Lem: Man From Mars, The Astronauts, The Magellan Nebula - PETER SWIRSKI
- Investigating the Investigation: Mystery Narratives in The Investigation and The Chain of Chance - DAVID SEED
- Embodiment Problems: Adapting Solaris to Film - NICHOLAS RUDDICK
- The Hilarious and Serious Teachings of Lem’s Robot Fables: The Cyberiad - BO PETTERSSON
- Literature, Futurology, or Philosophy? The Futurological Congress - IRIS VIDMAR and PETER SWIRSKI
- Problems and Dilemmas:Lem’s Golem XIV - VICTOR YAZNEVICH
- Lem, Cervantes, and Metafiction: Peace on Earth and Fiasco - KENNETH KRABBENHOFT
- Bibliography
- Notes on Contributors
- Index
