benholmes's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
5.0
Second best Lem book after Cyberiad
freesien's review against another edition
2.0
Ugh. Dabei hat es doch so schön angefangen. Zu Beginn war das Buch sehr unterhaltsam und lustig, doch ungefähr nach der Hälfte habe ich einfach das Interesse verloren.
zachbrumaire's review against another edition
4.0
Parody and theoretical treatise bend towards a mutual zenith in these surrealist philosophical theses set against an endlessly creative space opera backdrop. Lem explores topics as diverse as bureaucracy, academica, prisons, and surveillance; evolution and revolution; zenotheology and chronopolitics; his tactics of interventative insanity, the short circuting of the mundane, explosive fractal expounding of worlds, and moving rendition/self undercutting of the absurd create spaces for explorations which would perhaps be possible without such accompaniment, but certainly not as pleasurable nor as interesting. Like the optesimists encountered in one of the many voyages,, Lem defies categories (high/low bro, comedy/philosophy, science fiction and fantasy, playfulness/dark satire), thereby providing simply one more reason to read him. A vital component of the tradition which encompasses Kafka, Borges, Rushdie, and the Strugatsky brothers, to Lem belongs a place in any cannon of critical irrealism.
tombomp's review against another edition
3.0
I was enjoying the book a lot until about a third of the way through there's a sudden appearance of "Gypsonians" who are nomadic space faring stupid drunken thieves... They only appear for a page but it's enough that it completely soured me on it. I kept reading out of stubbornness and because of my positive experience at the start but afterwards I stopped enjoying the humour even though I could tell it was clever (and very impressively translated). Humour is difficult - you only need one misstep to feel completely disconnected from the person telling the jokes. Other people might easily be able to ignore one instance of racism but just for me it was enough to ruin it.
wincher2031's review against another edition
3.0
I really enjoyed the humour in this one, all the jokes worked thanks to Lem's wonderous wordplay (my favourite moments being the five day long sneeze and criminalisation of impolite gurgling in an underwater settlement). Ijon Tichy's voice as a narrator is one that's likeable enough to want to go on these space adventures with, but these positives don't quite veil the rambling and predictable nature of several of his voyages.
The Star Diaries is muddled, unsure whether it wants to be a tongue-in-cheek funfest or a preaching political tract. It attempts both in such a way that the stories often get lost in the details, not quite hitting the mark. It works better when it's going for comedy, but when the longer stories veer into lectures on morality they become tiresome.
I much preferred The Cyberiad for its commitment and consistency to tone, character and plotting.
The Star Diaries however is a bit too piecemeal for me, though the 7th, 1th, 12th and 13th voyages are worth a read for any space-faring SF fans out there.
The Star Diaries is muddled, unsure whether it wants to be a tongue-in-cheek funfest or a preaching political tract. It attempts both in such a way that the stories often get lost in the details, not quite hitting the mark. It works better when it's going for comedy, but when the longer stories veer into lectures on morality they become tiresome.
I much preferred The Cyberiad for its commitment and consistency to tone, character and plotting.
The Star Diaries however is a bit too piecemeal for me, though the 7th, 1th, 12th and 13th voyages are worth a read for any space-faring SF fans out there.
sullyisreading's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Loved this anthology and was sad to see the end of it. It was on the same level of enjoyment for me as The Cyberiad was. Clearly, Stanislaw Lem wrote what he thought would be good instead of popular - as although most people and writers who I speak to about Lem have never heard of his works, I believe anyone can read a random story of his and enjoy it.
I don't know if I have a favourite from this anthology; there were some parts where the story went slower, and this was not always captivating, but it never stopped me from enjoying the book or wanting to pick it up. Highly recommended.
I don't know if I have a favourite from this anthology; there were some parts where the story went slower, and this was not always captivating, but it never stopped me from enjoying the book or wanting to pick it up. Highly recommended.
selinadragonair's review against another edition
3.0
Some stories are weird and funny, some highly philosophical and difficult to follow and others are thought provoking and were an inspiration for famous movies, series or technologies.