Janusz Andrzej Zajdel (15 August 1938 – 19 July 1985) was a Polish science fiction author, second in popularity in Poland to Stanisław Lem.
He was a trustee of World SF. ==Life== Janusz Zajdel was born 15 August 1938 in Warsaw, Poland.
In the 1980s he was an active supporter of the Polish Solidarity movement. On 19 July 1985 he died of lung cancer, after three years' struggle against the disease. ==Themes== Zajdel's early works, from the 1960s and early 1970s, focuses on scientific inventions and their role in space exploration, alien contact or artificial intelligence.
In 1961 Młody Technik published Zajdel's science-fiction debut, the short story "Tau Ceti" (Tau Wieloryba).
Other stories by him soon appeared in several other Polish magazines. His science-fiction book-writing career began in 1965 with the publication of a short-story anthology, Jad mantezji (The Venom of Mantesia), which included stories from Młody Technik and some others that had already appeared a year earlier in another anthology.
By 1982 he had published four more collections: Przejście przez lustro (Through the Mirror, 1975); Iluzyt (1976); Feniks (The Phoenix, 1981); and Ogon diabła (The Devil's Tail, 1982). His first novel, Lalande 21185, appeared in 1966, a year after his first short-story anthology, and was geared toward young adults.
In the 1980s he was an active supporter of the Polish Solidarity movement. On 19 July 1985 he died of lung cancer, after three years' struggle against the disease. ==Themes== Zajdel's early works, from the 1960s and early 1970s, focuses on scientific inventions and their role in space exploration, alien contact or artificial intelligence.
Zajdel's works from his second period - late 1970s and 1980s - and represent the genres of social and dystopian fiction.
Almost none of his works have been translated into English; the only exception is the short story Wyjątkowo trudny teren ("Particularly Difficult Territory") that Zajdel wrote for the English language Tales from the Planet Earth anthology edited by Frederik Pohl and Elizabeth Anne Hull. ==Recognition== In 1973 Zajdel received an honorary award Magnum Trophaeum from the Młody Technik (Young Technician) magazine for long-term cooperation.
By 1982 he had published four more collections: Przejście przez lustro (Through the Mirror, 1975); Iluzyt (1976); Feniks (The Phoenix, 1981); and Ogon diabła (The Devil's Tail, 1982). His first novel, Lalande 21185, appeared in 1966, a year after his first short-story anthology, and was geared toward young adults.
His heroes desperately try to find meaning in the world around them. His works include five social-science fiction novels: Cylinder van Troffa (Van Troff's Cylinder, 1980); Limes inferior (The Lower Limit, 1982); Cała prawda o planecie Ksi (The Whole Truth about Planet Xi, 1983); Wyjście z cienia (Coming out of the Shadow, 1983); and Paradyzja (Paradise: World in Orbit, 1984). The Polish science fiction fandom award was named after him: the Janusz A.
In the 1980s he was an active supporter of the Polish Solidarity movement. On 19 July 1985 he died of lung cancer, after three years' struggle against the disease. ==Themes== Zajdel's early works, from the 1960s and early 1970s, focuses on scientific inventions and their role in space exploration, alien contact or artificial intelligence.
Zajdel's works from his second period - late 1970s and 1980s - and represent the genres of social and dystopian fiction.
In 1980 Zajdel was recipient of the Polish Ministry of Culture and Arts Award for Van Troff's Cylinder.
By 1982 he had published four more collections: Przejście przez lustro (Through the Mirror, 1975); Iluzyt (1976); Feniks (The Phoenix, 1981); and Ogon diabła (The Devil's Tail, 1982). His first novel, Lalande 21185, appeared in 1966, a year after his first short-story anthology, and was geared toward young adults.
His heroes desperately try to find meaning in the world around them. His works include five social-science fiction novels: Cylinder van Troffa (Van Troff's Cylinder, 1980); Limes inferior (The Lower Limit, 1982); Cała prawda o planecie Ksi (The Whole Truth about Planet Xi, 1983); Wyjście z cienia (Coming out of the Shadow, 1983); and Paradyzja (Paradise: World in Orbit, 1984). The Polish science fiction fandom award was named after him: the Janusz A.
By 1982 he had published four more collections: Przejście przez lustro (Through the Mirror, 1975); Iluzyt (1976); Feniks (The Phoenix, 1981); and Ogon diabła (The Devil's Tail, 1982). His first novel, Lalande 21185, appeared in 1966, a year after his first short-story anthology, and was geared toward young adults.
His heroes desperately try to find meaning in the world around them. His works include five social-science fiction novels: Cylinder van Troffa (Van Troff's Cylinder, 1980); Limes inferior (The Lower Limit, 1982); Cała prawda o planecie Ksi (The Whole Truth about Planet Xi, 1983); Wyjście z cienia (Coming out of the Shadow, 1983); and Paradyzja (Paradise: World in Orbit, 1984). The Polish science fiction fandom award was named after him: the Janusz A.
Zajdel also received the Golden Sepulka Award two times: for Limes Inferior (1982 novel; 1983 award) and Wyjście z cienia ("Out of the Shadow") (1983 novel; 1984 award). In 1984 Polish fantasy and science fiction fandom (associated with the Polish SF convention Polcon) decided to establish an annual award, initially named Sfinks ("Sphynx").
His heroes desperately try to find meaning in the world around them. His works include five social-science fiction novels: Cylinder van Troffa (Van Troff's Cylinder, 1980); Limes inferior (The Lower Limit, 1982); Cała prawda o planecie Ksi (The Whole Truth about Planet Xi, 1983); Wyjście z cienia (Coming out of the Shadow, 1983); and Paradyzja (Paradise: World in Orbit, 1984). The Polish science fiction fandom award was named after him: the Janusz A.
Zajdel also received the Golden Sepulka Award two times: for Limes Inferior (1982 novel; 1983 award) and Wyjście z cienia ("Out of the Shadow") (1983 novel; 1984 award). In 1984 Polish fantasy and science fiction fandom (associated with the Polish SF convention Polcon) decided to establish an annual award, initially named Sfinks ("Sphynx").
Zajdel became the first winner of this award, for his 1984 novel Paradyzja.
Janusz Andrzej Zajdel (15 August 1938 – 19 July 1985) was a Polish science fiction author, second in popularity in Poland to Stanisław Lem.
In the 1980s he was an active supporter of the Polish Solidarity movement. On 19 July 1985 he died of lung cancer, after three years' struggle against the disease. ==Themes== Zajdel's early works, from the 1960s and early 1970s, focuses on scientific inventions and their role in space exploration, alien contact or artificial intelligence.
He won the award posthumously in 1985, shortly after his death, at which time it was decided to rename the award after him, and it became known as the Janusz A.
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