This local club is for readers who would like to discuss Polish literature in English.

The book for the meeting is Eden by Stanisław Lem, first published in 1958. This classic sci-fiction book, similar in a way but less known than Solaris, regards exploration of an alien planet of Eden.  Its main theme is an inherent difficulty in ability to understand an alien world and a civilization that seems to have very little in common with the one we know. At the same time, it poses moral and existential questions on the explorers who struggle with making any sense of what they see.

Stanisław Lem (1921-2006) was not only a science-fiction writer but also a respected thinker, publicist and essayist who was very well versed in all new scientific, economic and social developments of his time, starting with cybernetics, genetics and social engineering in the 1950s and the 1960s end ending with the civilization challenges of the 21st century. His books, spanning multiple genres from crime novels to political satire, were frequently a vehicle to convey his take on philosophical or political issues, trends in societies and on the future fate of our civilization.

More: Lem’s bio, his official site, about the book

Please contact Paulina for the Zoom invite or more info.