Anthology of new short stories and essays inspired by Stanisław Lem premieres on the visionary author’s birthday
Stanisław Lem may mainly be recognised in the West as the author of the twice-filmed novel Solaris, but the influence of his other work is legion. From computer games (The Sims was inspired by one of his short stories), to films (the red and blue pills of The Matrix owe much to his Futurological Congress); from the space comedies of Red Dwarf to the metaphysical satires of Douglas Adams… the presence of this masterly Polish writer can be traced far and wide. Nor was his genius confined to fiction. Lem’s essays and pseudo-essays – borne out of the 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.
On Lem’s birthday, 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, computer engineers, and artists, to celebrate and explore Lem’s legacy through short stories and essays - two literary forms that, as Lem knew well, can blend 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.
The book was published by Comma Press and co-commissioned by the Polish Cultural Institute in London, with support from the Polish Book Institute. Part of the cultural programme of the Polish Presidency of the EU Council.
Featuring: STANISŁAW LEM, BRIAN ALDISS, FRANK COTTRELL BOYCE, ANNIE CLARKSON, DR. SARAH DAVIES, JACEK DUKAJ, PROF. STEVE FURBER, TREVOR HOYLE, PROF. HOD LIPSON, TOBY LITT, ANTONIA LLOYD-JONES, ADAM MAREK, MIKE NELSON, SEAN O'BRIEN, WOJCIECH ORLINSKI, ADAM ROBERTS, ANDY SAWYER, SARAH SCHOFIELD, DANUSIA STOK, PIOTR SZULKIN, and IAN WATSON.
More information about the book here.
The book premieres at The British Library on Friday, 9th of September, 6.30-8.30pm.
With Toby Litt, Adam Roberts, John Gray, Wojciech Orlinski, film makers Ari Folman and The Brothers Quay. Chaired by Rosie Goldsmith.
British Library, 96 Euston Road, London NW1 2DB.
Tickets: £7.50 (£5 conc.)
Press contact (photos, interviews, press tickets):
Karolina Kołodziej, Head of Public Relations, Instytut Kultury Polskiej w Londynie, karolina.kolodziej@polishculture.org.uk, T: +44 (0) 207 440 0244
More information about the event here.
Source: press materials
