Solaris: The Definitive Edition: Audiobook Review
Solaris: The Definitive Edition – An Audio Book Review
- Solaris
- Author: Stanis Lem and Translated by Bill Johnston
- Narrated by: Allesandro Juliani
- Length: 7 hours and 42 minutes
- Unabridged
- Genre: Science Fiction
Download or CD available to BUY at Amazon.
Audio book Summary:
This accurate direct-to-English translation of one of the greatest science fiction novel, Solaris, by Stanislaw Lem is a milestone in the genre. Finally, we have the definitive English version that perfectly encapsulate and capture the wonder of Solaris that is jam-packed with so many marvels in such a tight story.
Lem’s Solaris is a thoughtful story on the limitation of the human mind and its inability to grasp what is basically unattainable, the universe. This science fiction mystery novel also perfectly blends the human drama and humanity’s strongest trait and possibly its greatest weakness: hope. In a book that contains one of the most heartbreaking love stories in modern literature, the idea of a love more powerful than death is “a lie, not ridiculous but futile”.
One reason to listen:
This is the definitive audiobook edition of the critically acclaimed science fiction novel Solaris. If you are a science fiction fan then this is a must!
Reactions:
“I wish I could give 6 stars to the narrator, Alessando Juliani. He gave a magnificent performance, especially with the wife, Harey. I’m always nervous when male narrators attempt female voices, but this was done masterfully. This story is about humans trying to interact with something that is so utterly alien that we can’t even understand how it exists. It’s about relationships, specifically the complicated one between Kelvin and his wife, but also between humanity and Solaris. Can you even assign motives to such a being? Is it even alive? I was genuinely surprised by the finesse and emotional depth of this book. I was also frequently swept up in the majesty and fear of the living ocean as described in the book. It was a truly unique experience, and a real treat to listen to. If any of this sounds interesting to you, I can’t recommend this book highly enough.” – Burns
“This story is half a century old and still, it not only holds up well in contemporary SF, it stands up head and shoulders above much of what is written today in any fictional genre. This is a masterpiece. I could not recommend a book more highly.” – Robert
“I’ve heard of Stanislaw Lem but never read his work until now. Solaris is 50 years old but could have been written last summer. With the exception of some basic terminology, it’s just as fresh as anything written by my other favorites, Robert Charles Wilson and Peter F. Hamilton. Wow! Wow! and Wow! Brainy stuff for thinking people. Shout out to Alessandro!: BSG rocked the world, my friend!– Thanks for some all too rare great television. You read the book very well, especially Snaut. Here’s hoping for more Audible gigs.” – Jason
“I can see why this book has remained so influential — it explores some profound questions at a depth few other science fiction writers have come close to, even fifty years later. Lem leaves his answers tantalizingly ambiguous, allowing readers to find their own subtexts. Depending on how you read it, this could be a work about the idea of contact with aliens, or it could be about contact with others, period. It could be about guilt and regret. It could be about existential loneliness, man’s search for God, or the limitations of our ability to understand the universe, or even ourselves. There are many intertwining themes. Obviously, a novel this philosophical isn’t for everyone, but if you appreciate science fiction that gets you to ponder, it’s not a long read, and I think it’s worth your time. The “definitive” audiobook production is excellent. The actor Alessandro Juliani, who played Lt. Gaeta in the most recent Battlestar Galactica series, has a soft-spoken but firm voice that suits the text very well.” – Ryan
“I had not read any Lem before, and had to use some Audible credits. This came up as a “classic” in SF and so I gave it a shot. Wow. What a brilliant story. I’ll have to get the written version now and go through it again, it was that good. As far as the audio book goes, the narration was quite good, but not as excellent as some of the other books I have heard through Audible. My biggest annoyance was with the narrator’s attempt at a female voice. If I actually read the book, it will be hard for me to get that depiction of Harey out of my head. But otherwise this was a very entertaining listen.” – Tom
Score on Audible: 3.8 out of 5
Score on Amazon: 4 out of 5
