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booknookTitle: The Star Diaries
Author: Stanisław Lem
First Published: 1957
Genre: Science fiction, satire, philosophical fiction
Summary:
Ijon Tichy, Lem's Candide of the Cosmos, encounters bizarre civilizations and creatures in space that serve to satirize science, the rational mind, theology, and other icons of human pride.
Review:
The Star Diaries is the first collection of stories that chronicles the exploits and adventures of space explorer Ijon Tichy, who travels across time and galaxies.He is once caught in a time loop with multiple copies of himself, representing the Earth to petition for membership to the United Planets meeting, getting into troubble in a planet where people lived with water right under their noses, and was recruited by his future self to steer the history of humanity. Tichy is competent, accident prone but honest about his failures. It's fun to see how he tries to dig himself out of various crisis (not entirely his fault). I really love his narrative voice. Infused with dark humour, the stories explore complicated philosophical issues, satirize human nature and politics. It's impressive how he managed to pass the satire under the communist censors' radar. Even today the stories are still refreshing and enjoyable.
Tichy has further adventures in The Futurological Congress, Peace on Earth, and Observation on the Spot. They are all stand alone to read..
Author: Stanisław Lem
First Published: 1957
Genre: Science fiction, satire, philosophical fiction
Summary:
Ijon Tichy, Lem's Candide of the Cosmos, encounters bizarre civilizations and creatures in space that serve to satirize science, the rational mind, theology, and other icons of human pride.
Review:
The Star Diaries is the first collection of stories that chronicles the exploits and adventures of space explorer Ijon Tichy, who travels across time and galaxies.He is once caught in a time loop with multiple copies of himself, representing the Earth to petition for membership to the United Planets meeting, getting into troubble in a planet where people lived with water right under their noses, and was recruited by his future self to steer the history of humanity. Tichy is competent, accident prone but honest about his failures. It's fun to see how he tries to dig himself out of various crisis (not entirely his fault). I really love his narrative voice. Infused with dark humour, the stories explore complicated philosophical issues, satirize human nature and politics. It's impressive how he managed to pass the satire under the communist censors' radar. Even today the stories are still refreshing and enjoyable.
Tichy has further adventures in The Futurological Congress, Peace on Earth, and Observation on the Spot. They are all stand alone to read..