Jerzy Żuławski (1874–1915)

How I loved this book. I had been looking to read it for some time, but had been searching for "Jerczy Von Zulawsky On Silvery Plains", so lucky I found this title instead, comprised of the complete Space Opera instead of just the first story.
The first story still has to be my favourite part, with the descriptions, fears, aspirations, of the explorers on the moon. I resorted to printing Nasa's Lunar Charts to follow the progress across the moon, and loved reading about the astronauts themselves relying on the earth-made charts to know how steep the mountains and deep the valleys were.
I was fascinated how the author, made the mission sound plausible from his lack of over descriptions of the technology that futuristic humankind would use, not trying to described the un-invented, but instead focusing on the location and landscape, the temperatures, and sunrise, the colours and earthrise, the effect of gravity and darkness. Written as a diary, I found it was almost plausible I was reading a real account of a human mission to the moon.
The second story, set centuries later, was a solo expedition by Marek to discover what had become of the the offspring of those first settlers on the moon. This book was more fantastical, but reflected the human qualities of a social order that could easily develop at any remote location, with their basis for religion set by the fragmented old stories and retelling of the first astronauts' arrival and departure. Marek at first finds this primitive society amusing, but soon realises their plight is real and believes he can assist to make their society more like earth, but as he shares his technologically advanced weaponry to defeat the Sherns, he begins to constantly worry about the future overall effect his weapon could result in, and indeed anything he does, he becomes concerned about upsetting the natural order of things.
The third story is set on earth, after two lunar humans had stolen Marek's spacecraft and landed in the desert. Europe has become the United States of Europe; scientists have discovered all there is to know; equality for all exists; artists perform mesmerising shows; and one inventor has created an atomic bomb. I enjoyed the futuristic descriptions of the vehicles - cars that can turn into boats and planes; settings - flooded Egyptian temples used as stages for performances. My favourite character was, by far, Nyanatiloka/Serato who quit the "knowledgeable brothers" as a student to seek harmony in "creative knowledge" in the East. To me, this one character is the hope for the future of humankind - indeed he symbolistically disables the bomb. (Although, I did read with some amusement, Nyanatiloka tell Ava that, as a woman, she had no soul).
Having immensely enjoyed this story, I found an article online, written by the author's Grandson, which I recommend reading also. "The Origins of Polish Sci-Fi & The Legacy of Jerzy Żuławski" by Adam Żuławski.… (meer)