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The Truth and Other Stories
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Format: Hardback
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"Thirteen stories by Polish science fiction master Stanislaw Lem, most of which have not appeared in English before"--
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Description
The Truth and Other Stories by science fiction master Stanisław Lem offers a collection of twelve intriguing stories, nine of which have never been published in English before.
This set of twelve short stories includes only three that have appeared previously in English, making this the first "new" book of fiction by Lem since the late 1980s. The stories exhibit Lem's intense curiosity about scientific ideas combined with his sardonic take on human nature, presenting a variety of mad scientists any reader could wish for.
Many stories feature artificial intelligences or life forms, a long-standing fascination for Lem. Others offer quite insane theories of cosmology or evolution, all of which are thought-provoking and scathingly funny.
Written between 1956 and 1993, the stories are arranged chronologically. In the title story, The Truth, a scientist in an insane asylum theorises that the sun is alive. "The Journal" appears to document an omnipotent being describing the creation of infinite universes—until a classic Lem twist reveals otherwise. In "An Enigma," beings debate whether offspring can be created without advanced degrees and design templates.
Other tales include a computer that predicts the future by 137 seconds, matter-destroying spores, a hunt with a robot as the prey, and an electronic brain eager to escape. These stories exemplify peak Lem, exploring ideas and themes resonant throughout his body of work.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
The Truth and Other Stories by Stanislaw Lem, with translations by Antonia Lloyd-Jones, has received praise for showcasing Lem's imaginative foresight and diverse storytelling. Critics highlight it as an excellent introduction to Lem's work, illustrating his exploration of various styles and philosophical themes. The collection is noted for its prescience in envisioning future technologies and synthetic minds long before they became a reality.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9780262046084
Publisher: MIT Press Ltd
Format: Hardback
Date Published: 14 September 2021
Country: United States
Imprint: MIT Press
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Width: 152.0mm
Height: 229.0mm
Weight: 250g
Pages: 344
About the Author
Stanisław Lem (1921-2006), a writer called "worthy of the Nobel Prize" by the New York Times, was an internationally renowned author of novels, short stories, literary criticism, and philosophical essays. His books have been translated into forty-four languages and have sold more than thirty million copies.
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