What do You think about Hospital Of The Transfiguration (1991)?
This is Lem's first novel, and it is unlike any of his other works that I have read in that it is not science fiction. The story concerns the fate of a young Polish doctor who takes a position at a psychiatric hospital shortly after the invasion of Poland by the Germans at the start of WWII. In that, it is somewhat autobiographical. There are vignettes about his interactions with the colorful and tragic patients at the hospital, and his run-ins with the Polish resistance. I'm trying not to give away the ending, but it is shocking in the way that Nazis were.
—John
Really strange book. Probably the strangest of Lem's books I've read so far. Surprisignly, this is the only one taking place in twentieth century and with historical background.Well, I haven't written anything about plot, my impressions etc., which you should include in review, but I think I need some time to make conclusions. Yes, that's one of those books that leave you silent for a quite some time after finishing.Maybe it's not a masterpiece (or maybe is?), but I recommend it to everyone, especially to people, who are not so much into Lem science-fiction.
—Teb
