Science fiction · Classics
Solaris
A psychologist arrives at a research station above an ocean that may be alive, and finds the crew in a state of fear. Soon he is visited by the shape of someone he lost, and the ocean seems to be reading his mind.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 1961
- Pace
- Slow
- Length
- Short
- Pages
- 222
- Format
- Standalone
Read this if you like quiet, strange science fiction that asks whether we could ever truly understand an alien mind.
Skip this if you want an adventure with answers, because the long passages about imagined science are intentionally frustrating.
The feel
Content warnings
Also reported by Hardcover readers:
Quick answers about Solaris
- What is Solaris about?
- A psychologist arrives at a research station above an ocean that may be alive, and finds the crew in a state of fear. Soon he is visited by the shape of someone he lost, and the ocean seems to be reading his mind.
- Who should read Solaris?
- Read it if you like quiet, strange science fiction that asks whether we could ever truly understand an alien mind. Skip it if you want an adventure with answers, because the long passages about imagined science are intentionally frustrating.
- How long and how fast is Solaris?
- It is a slow-paced, short read of about 222 pages, first published in 1961.
- Does Solaris have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Suicide, Grief, Death.
- Can I borrow Solaris for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends Solaris; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after Solaris?
- Readers who liked it often move on to Annihilation, 2001: A Space Odyssey.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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