File:One Human Minute English Andre Deutsch 1986.jpg

Description

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STANISLAW LEM ONE HUMAN MINUTE

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This cover for One Human Minute features a 10 rows of similar bald eyeless humanoids clad in green standing closely together in row formation, being more featuresless as they are more distant. While the first three rows have eyes and mouths, the rows behind them lack any features save the shape of their heads. One humanoid in the middle of the second row, not covered by a humanoid in the front, is holding his right arm at an ankle to present a watch. He is the only humanoid with eyes. While the other humanoids carry a neutral, lifeless expression, his face is contorted with concern or fear, while he is looking directly at the person observing the cover.

In a cloudy, violet sky behind the group of humanoids a lightning discharge, coming down directly behind the group of humanoids.

The cover is meant to emphasize the fatal ongoings in humanity even during one minute. The distraught expression on the face of the watchholder expresses Stanislaw Lem 's general scepticism and his grim outlook on the future of that humanity he is describing in this fictional book review.