Not "The Deluge," and not "The Doll." This is the most famous Polish book of all time. It has been published in 40 languages.

There are titles that pass unnoticed, and others that become a permanent part of the literary canon. The latest ranking prepared by The Greatest Books leaves no doubt – Stanisław Lem remains the king of Polish literature.

The list of "The Greatest Polish Books of All Time" was created using a specialized algorithm that considered expert opinions and the significance of individual titles in global culture. The result? First place went to a novel that has intrigued, inspired, and defies clear interpretation for over six decades: Stanisław Lem's "Solaris."

Two icons of 20th-century literature also made the podium. Second place went to Witold Gombrowicz's "Ferdydurke," a provocative and ironic tale of identity and social masks. Third place went to Henryk Sienkiewicz's "Quo Vadis," a novel that still captivates with its sweeping scope and historical scope, and whose film adaptations are still seen around the world.

"Solaris" was published in 1961 and quickly became recognized as one of the most important works of international science fiction . The novel has been translated into over 40 languages , and its story has been adapted for the screen three times – in Boris Nirenburg's television version (1968) , in Andrei Tarkovsky's mesmerizing masterpiece (1972) , and in Steven Soderbergh's Hollywood adaptation starring George Clooney (2002).

The book's protagonist, psychologist Kris Kelvin, stumbles upon a research station orbiting the planet Solaris. Its entire surface is covered by an ocean that turns out to be a form of alien intelligence. Contact with this ocean leads to a series of harrowing experiences – the scientists begin to see materializations of their deepest memories and traumas. For Kelvin, this encounter involves a vision of his deceased loved one, which plunges him into a dramatic conflict between his rational mind and his emotions.

" The novel is a psychological journey into the depths of human weaknesses and failures, presented against the backdrop of space research. It is also a reflection on loneliness and the barriers to communication with alien intelligence," we read in the ranking's description.

Although "Solaris" was declared the winner, the Top 10 list is a reminder of the diversity and richness of Polish literature. Alongside Lem and Gombrowicz, there were works by Bruno Schulz ("Street of Crocodiles"), Czesław Miłosz ("The Captive Mind"), and Tadeusz Borowski ("Farewell to Mary") . Jan Potocki's "The Saragossa Manuscript" and Jerzy Kosiński's "The Painted Bird" also made the list.

Here are the 10 most famous Polish books in the world:

1. Solaris - Stanisław Lem
2. Ferdydurke - Witold Gombrowicz
3. Quo Vadis - Henryk Sienkiewicz
4. Street of Crocodiles - Bruno Schulz
5. The Manuscript Found in Saragossa - Jan Potocki
6. The Captive Mind - Czesław Miłosz
7. The Manor, The Muscat Family, The Legacy - Isaac Bashevis Singer
8. Ashes and Diamonds - Jerzy Andrzejewski
9. The Painted Bird - Jerzy Kosiński
10. Ladies and Gentlemen, Go to the Gas and Other Stories - Tadeusz Borowski