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What Stanisław Lem’s novel “Solaris” would be like if other famous sci-fi and fantasy authors had written it
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Part of a poster for the first film adaptation of Stanisław Lem’s “Solaris” (1972). Photo by Shed On The Moon/Flickr
Variety

What Stanisław Lem’s novel “Solaris” would be like if other famous sci-fi and fantasy authors had written it

Grzegorz Uzdański
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Grzegorz Uzdański:
was born in 1979. He taught Philosophy and Ethics at the Raszyńska secondary school in Warsaw, and is the author of the website “Nowe wiersze sławnych poetów” [New Poetry from Famous Poets] and of the novel “Wakacje” [Holiday]. He sings and writes lyrics for the band Ryby. He has also written lyrics for the bands EXTRA and Jerz Igor. He performs in the theatre improv group Dobrze and in the comedy trio Wszystko Będzie Dobrze [Everything’s Gonna Be Alright]. He lives in Warsaw.

What would be the result if some other popular sci-fi and fantasy writers were to try their hand at Solaris? All sorts of great books! The ever-reliable Grzegorz Uzdański has been investigating, and here’s what he has found.

Ursula Le Guin

Kris the scientist can’t sleep because of agonizing nightmares sent by a malevolent cosmic ocean. Exhausted, he goes to the seashore and utters the ocean’s true name – which turns out to be Kris.

Philip K. Dick

A woman named Harey wakes up on an alien planet beside her lover,

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Grzegorz Uzdański:
was born in 1979. He taught Philosophy and Ethics at the Raszyńska secondary school in Warsaw, and is the author of the website “Nowe wiersze sławnych poetów” [New Poetry from Famous Poets] and of the novel “Wakacje” [Holiday]. He sings and writes lyrics for the band Ryby. He has also written lyrics for the bands EXTRA and Jerz Igor. He performs in the theatre improv group Dobrze and in the comedy trio Wszystko Będzie Dobrze [Everything’s Gonna Be Alright]. He lives in Warsaw.
Translation: Antonia Lloyd-Jones
Publish date: 07.09.2021

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Stanisław Lem
Stanisław Lem:
is one of the greatest and most frequently translated Polish writers. An asteroid and Poland’s first scientific satellite were named after him. He loved sweets, especially halva and marzipan. According to Philip K. Dick, he never actually existed.

Breaking news, out-of-control teleprinters, and a world-wide network of knowledgeable computers are at the centre of this short story by the master Stanisław Lem. So prepare yourself for a truly surprising mix of sci-fi and supernatural horror!

Gentlemen, for lack of time and by reason of unfavorable circumstances, most people depart this world without ever stopping to think about it. Meanwhile, those who try to do it have a dizzy turn, and then get on with something else. I am one of them. As I built up my career, the column space devoted to my person in Who’s Who grew with the years, but neither the latest edition nor future ones will record why I gave up journalism. That is going to be the subject of my story, which in other circumstances I’m sure I wouldn’t be telling.

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