PrintLemistry
Lem-inspired anthology published by Comma Press
Lemistry
A Celebration of the Work of Stanisław Lem
Edited by Ra Page and Magda Raczyńska
Published by Comma Press
Publication date: September 2011
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The book will be launched on Friday, September 9, at British Library in London as part of a special event to celebrate Stanisław Lem.
We ‘know’ Stanisław Lem, whether or not we consciously know that we do. He may only be recognised in the West as the author of the twice-filmed novel, Solaris, but the influence of his other writings is legion. From computer games (The Sims was inspired by his short story ‘The Seventh Sally’), to films (the red-pill, blue-pill of The Matrix is indebted to his novel, The Futurological Congress); from the space comedies of Red Dwarf to the metaphysical satires of Douglas Adams… the presence of this genial, Polish writer can be traced far and wide. Nor was his genius confined to fiction. Lem’s essays and pseudo-essays – borne out of military industrial tensions of the Cold War – have outlived their original context and speak to the most current developments in virtual reality, nanotechnology, and artificial intelligence.
To celebrate his name, as well as his vision, this anthology brings together writers, critics and scientists who continue to grapple with his concerns. British and Polish novelists join screenwriters, poets, scientists and artists to celebrate and explore Lem’s legacy through short stories and essays - two literary forms that, as Lem knew well, can be blent together to create something altogether new.
As one of the barriers to Lem’s fame was language, this book also features specially commissioned translations: three stories never to have appeared in English before.
Lem was always ahead of us. It’s time we caught up.
Featuring:
Brian Aldiss
Frank Cottrell Boyce
Annie Clarkson
Dr. Sarah Davies
Jacek Dukaj
Professor Steve Furber
Trevor Hoyle
Professor Hod Lipson
Toby Litt
Adam Marek
Mike Nelson
Sean O’Brien
Wojciech Orliński
Adam Roberts
Andy Sawyer
Sarah Schofield
Piotr Szulkin
Ian Watson
Co-commissioned by the Polish Cultural Institute in London.
Part of the cultural programme of the Polish Presidency of the EU Council.