A review by jiujensu
Star Diaries: Further Reminiscences of Ijon Tichy by Stanisław Lem

4.0

I wouldn't consider myself a sci fi fan, but this author, like Capek's War With the Newts, has very good points in religion, philosophy, politics, human nature to illustrate. There are dizzying time travel loops, odd creatures and machines, fascinating customs like squamp hunting, like in many sci fi novels no doubt. This one didn't really endear itself to me until the 21st voyage, I have to say, where there is a discussion about God and Satan as dizzying as the recursive time travel loops are to sort out. Looking back, though, the 8th and 11th voyages had good, humorous lessons on politics. In the 22nd and 25th voyages there are good examples of our narrow view of life- refusing to see evidence that is right in front of us or refusing to believe things could turn out another way because we have experienced them THIS way. Overall, this is funnier and more thought provoking than your average science fiction.