Hyperion

Rating:
Summary: An engaging tale that is a breath of fresh air
Review: Dan Simmon's HYPERION is the quintessential good sci-fi novel, not exactly a literary classic but nonetheless an interesting story whose plot moves along steadily and which makes the reader ponder its novel ideas.

HYPERION is set up like Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales." The frame story is about of seven pilgrims headed to the Time Tombs on the enigmatic frontier world of Hyperion, while slowly conflict is building between humanity and its AI creations, the TechnoCore. On the way, each pilgrim tells how he came to be involved with Hyperion.

Simmon's prose flows well, and his writing is much like that of any other "best-selling" author of our times, so it's not the best. His ideas and truly original plot, however, are the real draw of the Hyperion books. Before writing HYPERION, Simmons was known as a horror writer, and his creation the Shrike, a terrifying killing machine-cum-avenging angel, adds horror elements to this space opera in a fitting way.

One caveat: HYPERION is not a stand-alone novel. Although satisfying in itself, its plot is the setup for the next book in the saga, THE FALL OF HYPERION. Also, there are two other books in the series, ENDYMION and THE RISE OF ENDYMION.

I recommend this book heartily, but it gets four stars instead of five due to Simmon's writing, which is incredibly pedestrian and often writing with the zeal (but not the vocabulary) of a little kid. Classic books tend to be serious. HYPERION, nonetheless is a book worthy of notice by science-fiction fans.

Rating:
Summary: A masterpiece of epic fiction. Enjoyable on many levels.
Review: Read Hyperion. It will enrich your life.

Unlike so much pedestrian science fiction (and fiction in general), Dan Simmons' Hyperion is filled with truly well-formed, detailed characters. Each with a history and style so unique they might have been conceived by different authors. Except that I can think of no other mainstream author whose characters feel quite as lifelike and sympathetic as Simmons draws these seven pilgrims. These are very real people, placed in very extraordinary circumstances. As a consequence the deep emotional, moral and philosophical dilemmas they face are universally pertinent, giving the novel enduring appeal.

The lush scenery, vivid imagery and rich atmosphere is another element of this novel that will most surely remain with you forever. I have not re-read this book in almost ten years now (to my considerable regret), but I still vividly picture scenes like the consul playing his piano amidst a dinosaur killing field, the wheeled ship voyage on the "sea of grass...Suffice it to say, there's much more, and the experience is a memorable one indeed.)

And of course like any true epic adventure, the physical outwards journey of the characters also represents a journey into 'self'. And in the case of Hyperion the 'self' can easily and interchangeably be seen as civilization as a whole, a nation or other organized unit of community, or a single person. I leave it to readers of Dan Simmons' work to discover just how beautifully and satisfyingly the different characters map to different facets of personality or psyche at these different levels.

A magnificent and eminently enjoyable read. You will want to read it again, but only for the experience and the atmosphere, not because you will have forgotten much. Have fun!

Rating:
Summary: Extraordinary science fiction!
Review: This is extraordinary science fiction. Dan Simmons hasn't only created an entire world, he's created an entire galaxy of fascinating worlds. These worlds reflect the facets of humanity, and some of the images he creates are so beautiful that you wish they were real, such as the motile isles of Maui-Covenant and their dolphin herders.

Beyond that, he has the confidence to leave much of the description to his readers' imagination, and he profoundly respects his readers' intelligence. The Shrike and the powers around are a sort of MacGuffin in this book, peripheral to the motives and stories of the six pilgrims who tell their tales. But the Shrike becomes much more prevalent in "Fall of Hyperion".

I would echo the previous reviewer who said to have "Fall of Hyperion" ready; it definitely is a continuation of this story. I didn't have it, and it took me about a month to get it in order to finally resolve the stories of these characters in whom I had become so invested.

This is one of the best books I've ever read, and stands out in the field of SF for being good fiction -- in my opinion, it stands against any other genre.

Rating:
Summary: Landmark Science Fiction
Review: In my mind there are few science fiction novels, or any genre fiction for that matter, better than Hyperion.

Dan Simmons, whose previous work had mainly been in the horror genre, focused on the idea of a frame story, an overriding story in which other stories are told (Canterbury Tales may be the most famous story of this type). Seven travelers all find themselves on the same journey and each tell the story that brought them to that point. And thus Simmons creates an incredible universe through the eyes of seven unique and well-crafted characters.

Hyperion ranks with great science fiction creations of all time, from Asimov's Foundation to Heinlein's Lazarus Long or Herbert's Dune. The fiction is both character and idea driven. Simmons' storytelling abilities are also excellent - the tales he writes range from brutal and violent to beautiful and poignant.

As previous reviewers have noted, please have Fall of Hyperion ready to go. It picks up where this one leaves off and you'll want to have it handy. The other two books in the series are also definitely worth reading. Too bad Simmons moved on to other genres of fiction. One can only hope he'll revisit the universe he created here.

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating and imaginative science fiction epic.
Review: Excellent science fiction novel on a grand scale, contains six stories told by six members of the last shrike pilgrimage. Any one of the stories makes the whole book worth reading, all six together make it a must read for any SF fan or any one who just wants to be emersed into a startling realistic future world filled with realistic and interesting characters. The whole thing is bound together by the mysterious shrike whom the pilgrims are each traveling to see, each with his own reason as revealed in the individual tales. What raises this story up a notch to true greatness is the depth of the universe in which these stories are set. A universe with a great deal of history in it with real and complex political and social issues. One word of warning: although the pilgrims complete their tales in this book the overarcing story ends abruptly and is concluded in "The Fall of Hyperion". It is best to consider "Hyperion" and "The Fall of Hyperion" as one and read them together. The "Fall of Hyperion" is equal in quality to "Hyperion" and brings the story to a fitting and in some ways enigmatic conclusion.

Rating:
Summary: Superb.
Review: Wow. Truly, wow. Convoluted, a bit slow in places like all epic sci-fi, but what a story! Dan Simmons takes his wealth of literary knowledge and spreads it thickly all over the first in this classic series. Told as a form of Canturbury Tales, the book follows pilgrims to a shrine none of them believe in, toward a confrontation with the enigmatic Shrike on the planet Hyperion. And, like the Tales, they tell their stories along the way. Virtually nothing is predictable. Every personal story is gripping. For those who can get over the hump that is the slowness of the beginning, I can guarantee a life-changing read.

Rating:
Summary: Believable, innovative world with superb storytelling
Review: Top three best scifi book (series) I've ever read. Very well thought universe and a good story that gets better all the way to the end of the (currently) four book series.

Rating:
Summary: Imaginative and engrossing
Review: I am an avid sf/fantasy reader, and I have to say that this and its sequel (actually, second half) "Fall of Hyperion" are among the best books I have ever read. The plot concept is wildly imaginative, and the execution is wonderful. It's one fascinating surprise after another, science fiction with a strong fantasy element. I loved it. Just be sure to buy BOTH books, as the first stops suddenly, leaving a craving for the second.

Rating:
Summary: starts well, drags near the end
Review: I'm a harsh critic, so my three stars means i still recommend this book. Simmons has a knack for language, that's for sure. And being able to create an entire universe that we can understand in all its complexities is not an easy thing to do. Having said that, the book starts out really well. I'll forego plot but to say we're dealing with seven travelers on a pilgrimage, each who must tell his "story" to the others concerning why he/she is making the trip. Echoes of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales for sure, and even hints of Arthurian legend as well. The first story, told by father Hoyt--which actually is not his story but told from the diary of his mentor--had me hooked. It was Sci Fi, it was theological, it was imaginative and fresh. Simmons made Hyperion a mystery in it's own right, an unexplored planet with creepy dwellers and underground labrynths. The Shrike, its mysterious lone alien inhabitant, is either God or the Devil or just some mysterious alien who kills at will. It forged me on. Kassad's tale was pretty good, though not nearly as interesting. It was militaristic, adventurous, about a fallen soldier who should be a hero but is villified due to actions that saved the world. Not to mention Simmons delves into temporal anomolies and paradoxes during this tale and doesn't explain it all too well. Maybe that was his point, i don't know. Weintraub, whose daughter is regressing to her newborn state (who is 30 when the tale is told) tells the tale of watching his daughter live backwards in time. While interesting, and unique, it dragged on until the inevitable conclusion I knew was coming. Simmons chronicled 30 years of living backwards...it was too much. Get on with it already. Lamia's tale is pure pulp detective story. I liked it, it's fun and fast paced. Throw in an AI consipracy about murdering other AIs as well as the human race, and yeah, it could be a movie. No gripes there, all kudos. And finally the Consul's tale, which like Hoyt's is told from the comlog of his grandfather, is pretty boring. It sets up a revelation any seasoned reader is able to spot from the beginning of the book, which is not a big deal, but it takes focus of the pilgramage--and therefore the book--away from the Shrike and all its deified qualities. Basically it makes the first 400 pages moot. Then again i haven't read Hyperion Fall yet, which i most certainly plan on doing, so maybe I'm wrong. Still, it left me closing the book somewhat less enthused than when i started. This was my first Simmons book, and he won me over, and despite my somewhat harsh review, this book was definitley worth the price, and i will definitely read the series. If nothing else, this is a fresh approach to the genre, and for that he must be commended.

Rating:
Summary: The first step in a wonderful and creative universe!
Review: While I admit that there are a few dry spots (for me at least) in his writing as a whole. Dan Simmons has me totally hooked on this series! If you enjoy SciFi and a wonderful story line that doesn't focus too much on any one aspect, but keeps your mind tingling, then you will love this series. At first I didn't know what to make of it, but trust me, give it a little time and you'll be hooked. It is the first book in a long time that has had me actually swearing when I have to stop reading and set it down :D

Also, I'm not sure what major rigersa has, but I suspect he's reading books that I'd consider a total bore. Just because something is a "classic" doesn't mean it's _good_. Sorry rigersa, I'm not really trying to bash you dude, but man, you are focusing far too much on one aspect of the book and letting it ruin your view on the series. Oh, it isn't Dante's Inferno or the like, but it is still a great story! Please give it a second try and pick up the second book!

I'd rate this 5/5 but like I said, it does have a dry spot here and there with a bit too much focus on the names of people and places, but it's all good. Just means I have to skim over a few lines here and there, nothing bad at all!