Holocaust and the Stars: The Past in the Prose of Stanislaw Lem

Stanislaw Lem's novel "The Solaris Effect" is a groundbreaking study that offers a new perspective on the writer and his work. It recreates the context of Lems early life and his traumatic experiences during the Second World War, and traces these through original and brilliant readings of his fiction and non-fiction. The book discusses various issues concerning the writer's life, such as his upbringing in a Jewish, Zionist-minded family, the extensive relations between the Lem family and the elite of Lviv at that time, and the details of the Lem family killed during the German occupation. It is part of the Studies in Global Genre Fiction series and offers a fresh perspective on the writer and his work for scholars and researchers of Jewish studies, Holocaust literature, science fiction studies, English literature, world war studies, minority studies, popular culture, history, and cultural studies.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 164 pages
Publication date: 30 November 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This book is a groundbreaking exploration of the remarkable life and work of Stanisław Lem, a revered Polish master of science fiction. It provides a fresh and innovative approach to researching his extensive oeuvre, while also rectifying numerous inaccuracies prevalent in his biographies. The author diligently reconstructs the backdrop of Lem's early life and the harrowing experiences he endured during the Second World War, owing to his Jewish heritage. Through meticulous and insightful readings of his fiction and non-fiction, the author traces the threads of these experiences, delving into language, worldbuilding, themes, motifs, and characterization. Additionally, she uncovers numerous allusions to the Holocaust hidden within Lem's published and archival works, using these fragments to present a different facet of the writer than previously known.

The book delves into various aspects of Lem's life, including his upbringing in a Jewish, Zionist-minded family, the close connections between the Lem family and the elite of Lviv during that time, the details of the Lem family who were tragically killed during the German occupation, and the author's efforts to reconstruct the fate of Lem's parents and himself after escaping the ghetto.

Published as part of the Studies in Global Genre Fiction series, this English translation of the Polish original has already been hailed as a significant milestone in Lem studies. This new edition offers a fresh perspective on the writer and his work, making it an invaluable resource for scholars and researchers in the fields of Jewish studies, Holocaust literature, science fiction studies, English literature, world war studies, minority studies, popular culture, history, and cultural studies.

Weight: 286g
Dimension: 155 x 233 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367428730