Stanislaw Lem (1921–2006) is probably best known for his science fiction novel Solaris.

His writings (fiction, essays, and philosophical books) investigate philosophy, technological possibilities, the nature of sentience, the difficulties inherent in communication (whether between humans, or intra-species), the foibles of humanity, and our niche in the cosmos.

Solaris (1961) was ahead of its time and was an atypical ‘first contact’ novel. What would happen if humanity contacted an intelligence so alien that it had no similarity to our pre-conceived ideas of sentience? And how would we communicate, study, classify, and understand (and, ultimately, control) it?

In the novel, humanity has set up a research station in orbit around Solaris, a planet covered with water. The researchers document the ‘behaviour’ of the waters of Solaris as ocean waves transform into incredible, awesome, intense patterns that defy science. As the researchers gather data, they are haunted by enigmatic, impossible visitations from within their individual psyches. Is the ocean of Solaris attempting to communicate? And, if so, is humanity ready for the encounter?

There have been two movie versions (1972, and 2002), but please read the book.

Solaris is an extraordinary science fiction novel.

Highly recommended.