It seems quite difficult to find a copy of this without George Clooney on it. Which is ironic, because the other cinematic version of this novel, Tarkovsky's, is probably still the most essential telling of the story. It's rare that I prefer a movie to its book, but in this case the book, though entertaining, felt rather uninspired by comparison. The translated prose is clipped and detached, even when delving into the territory of emotion, and aside from some gorgeous descriptions of the changing light of Solaris' twin suns, details about the (should be awe-inspiring) setting are imparted only second hand in academic summary.