The Chain of Chance

I remember reading this story a very long time ago, and I remember the story clearly. I'm glad that this book is finally available. If you like a good mystery, even if you don't really like Science Fiction, then this book is for you. Like all good mysteries, it will keep you guessing right up to the last page though once you know the solution, every clue falls into place. It's also an exciting story.

Fans of Lem's methodical and unique philosophical insights into psychology and humanity will not be disappointed by this novel. In that sense, along with the usual complex and precise, yet eloquent prose (I have the greatest respect for the translators of Lem's novels - that must be an art in itself), this is classic Lem. Throughout his catalog of fiction Lem seemingly wrote in two voices. One voice is exemplified in the Tichy novels where slapstick, as well as, more subtle, highbrow humor is blended seamlessly with the philosophical ponderings. The second voice is a drier one substituting exhaustive detailing and complex technical conceptual development in place of the levity. This book represents the latter. This iconoclastic novel stands the classic whodunit on its head in a way few writers would even dare. Lem uses the storyline as a device to explore a theme common to his work, but never as fully developed as it is here. He points to a common shortcoming of man's psychology; namely, that we tend to overestimate the influence of willful design in our lives, while failing to fully grasp the importance of random chance. Not Lem's best work and certainly not a novel for everyone, but still well worthy of 5 stars.

I came across an excellent book From Lowbrow to Nobrow by Peter Swirski who I discovered later has written a whole bunch of books and articles on Lem. Chapter 6 in From Lowbrow to Nobrow is about Lem and Chain of Chance and I suppose I was lucky to read Swirski's chapter first because it really opened my eyes to this incredible book. I went to read Chain and Chance right after finishing the chapter about it and it was as good and amazing as I though it would be. I see that some readers have problems understanding what the book is about, if you read From Lowbrow to Nobrow you will find a way into Lem's book what will make you come back for more of Lem and Swirski. I'm hooked.

This is one of the best books I've read. It's a superb science fiction mystery that pulls you along and you never know where it's going.