Hyperion

Rating:
Summary: Some interesting ideas and passages, but overall lacking
Review: First, be aware that Hyperion consists mostly of the tales of pilgrims on a journey like in Canterbury Tales. But instead of illustrating morals, the tales are meant to flesh out the main characters and to shed light on the mysteries of the Time Tombs and the Shrike. A few are interesting and faintly stirring. Some are outright perfunctory and belabored.

Second, be aware that this is really volume one of a two-volume novel (like in the days of Alexander Dumas). Hyperion alone has no traditional plot (with a climax, etc.). It's mostly the pilgrims' stories and ends with their arrival at the Time Tombs.

Third, Simmons' style was irritating. He used color names I didn't know. He referred to events without describing them with irritating frequency. He repeated certain descriptions of recurring events with the same words. For example, every time he refers to the Shrike's eyes, he will use the word "blood" to describe their color. EVERY TIME. After about fifty times, it starts to become annoying.

Fourth, Simmons' characterization, despite his use of the convenient device of the pilgrims' takes for characterization, was somehow still shallow and unconvincing. I just finished the sequel, and the final parting of most of the main characters wasn't sad or warming in any way. I was glad to be rid of such boring and one-sided characters.

My view is that this is not great science fiction. It does not compare with Herbert's Dune, for example. It was an OK summer read with some interesting incidental ideas.

Rating:
Summary: If only I could change the cover art...
Review: Let's be honest here: reading hard SF is one of those things that can easily draw disapproving glances from those nearby. Writers like Simmons simply have to work harder than others [Crichton springs immediately to mind - he sells lots and lots of - dare I say it? - truly mediocre books]. Hyperion is the result of a fantastic idea and lots and lots of really, really good writing.

The changes in points of view are worthy of William Faulkner. What motivates each character, as we learn when they tell their stories, is always interesting and surprising. Far from relying on techno jiggery pokery to save the tale, he uses good, old-fashioned story telling to accomplish results that are just so rare and pleasing.

These days I am afforded fewer and fewer luxuries by way of time for pleasure reading; I nevertheless bought three more Simmons titles immediately after finishing Hyperion. It's that good. He's that good.

Rating:
Summary: The McGuffin Remains the Same
Review: Over rated. Some interesting and well crafted charachter studies, but the plot focus remains a mystery at book's end...and I like my mysteries revealed after 500 pages. Not enough there to tempt me to read the rest of the series. Still, you could do worse.

Rating:
Summary: A Sci-Fi Classic
Review: "Hyperion" by Dan Simmons is part one of a two part series. Each book, though sharing the same story arc, is quite different in form. In "Hyperion" we have a sort of futurist "Cantebury Tales" where several travelers share their stories to each other as they travel to an outer planet called Hyperion. It is on this planet that they are destined to meet the Shrike, an entity that is worshipped on some planets and feared on others. All who pilgrim to this creature risk death, but each also has the chance at salvation. Legend has it that the Shrike grants one a wish, the others all die.

In this first book we are introduced to the last of the Shrike pilgrims the poet, the father, the Consul, the priest, the detective, and the general. The book is divided up into chapters describing their stories. Some are better than others but this book would be great alone just for the story of Sol the father.

Like other Dan Simmon's books this is not always an easy read. Simmon's does not write down to his audience. There may be tiny parts of this book that you just don't get. Some of those answers come in the second book, some you just have to figure out on your own. If you've already read the book I recommend a second read. I am sure you'll get even more out of it. Be forewarned, this book ends on some cliff hangers, be prepared to read "Fall of Hyperion".


Rating:
Summary: A good part one of two
Review: For those who haven't read this, keep in mind that this is a two part series (well, technically four, but the last two take place some time after Fall of Hyperion).

Hyperion is a backwater world which stands out for two reasons: the Time Tombs--structures that move backwards in time--and the Shrike--a creature that guards the tombs whose language is death. Some worship the Shrike, others fear it, and others want it dead. The Ousters, a civilization that shuns the AIs (Artificial Intelligences) that run the web of the core worlds (a means of instantaneous transportation between planets) appears to be on the verge of invasion, starting with Hyperion. Five pilgrims journey to Hyperion and to solve the secret of the Time Tombs before the Ousters come.

This book is largely a collection of short stories interspersed throughout the journey of these pilgrims. Each story is told by a pilgrim describing what drives them go on this suicide mission (pilgrims to the tombs invariably fall victim to the Shrike). All of this serves as a backdrop to the second book, Fall of Hyperion, which as of this writing I have yet to read.

Dan Simmons is a superb writer, and that keeps the novel going. The stories he creates about these pilgrims (particularly the story of little Rachel) opens up many avenues of exploration in the story--none of which are explored here. Regardless, Simmons makes it entertaining. I give it four stars instead of five because the novel really is longer than it needs to be (100 pages could have been shaved off easily).

I thought Illium was a better novel, but Hyperion has inspired me to read the sequel.

Rating:
Summary: Powerful
Review: This is one of my favorite science fiction books. I found myself captivated by it from the first chapter. The book is basically several short stories, each about the personal journey of seven pilgrims on a quest to meet the Shrike. Each story was enthralling and moving in its own way. My personal favorite was the story of Sol. They are all so different and yet they are woven together beautifully.

RESPONSE TO CRITICISM: I always like to read the 1 or 2 star reviews before I write mine to see what people did not like about the book. The biggest complaint about Hyperion seems to be that the ending is anticlimactic. First of all the book is full of climaxes all throughout the stories. Secondly, THERE ARE MORE BOOKS IN THE SERIES. This is just like when I came out of watching The Fellowship of the Ring and I heard a group of people talking about how bad the ending was. "They, like, never even got to that tower thing... dude!" If you finish this book you can read The Fall of Hyperion; it takes up exactly where this book left off.

This book is a great start to a wonderful scifi quadrilogy. I would whole-heartedly recommend this to any fan of scifi, or any fan of a good book.

Rating:
Summary: could not resist
Review: This is a great story.

Just had to remark on the previous review by J Willis.No offense intended but,
Its a COMLOG not a CORNLOG!! Comlog as is communication log.Just thought you might appreciate the remark.

Rating:
Summary: More than science-fiction a genre breaking book
Review: I left avid science fiction some time ago, choosing to explore classic literature and metaphysics. Suddenly in need of a good "junk read", I picked up Hyperion, and what a joy and a surprise.

First, it's just damn well written, more than the usual "plot + exposition" narratives that seem to plague sci-fi. Dan Simmons, knows how to describe a scene or situation that evokes emotion, rare for most sci-fi. His characters describe loss, bewilderment, anger and revenge, each one is a unique individual.

Along the way, the book debates some heavy topics. Development versus independence, machine versus humanity, technological dependence versus creativity. True faith versus ritualistic faith.

The final briliant touch is the ending. While it terms of plot it can be called a cliffhanger, it also is a literary salute to the Canterbury Tales and the Arabian Nights and the Decameron. The Hyperion world and the tale is exposited through 6 characters telling their individual story and path, on their way to their personal heart of darkness- a pilgrimage. In this, the ending actually places the story in that context, and you could walk away there, imagining what the end of the story could be.

You won't however, Dan Simmons world is just too damn much fun to leave, and yes you will wan't some questions answered.

On a final note of recommendation. As I suddenly remembered while reading Hyperion, it's paen to literature is what sent me away from pure sci-fi. The poetry and persona of John Keats plays a whole role in this story, and curious, I read that and eventually all his predecessors on a journey that hasn't stopped. For that alone, this book while always hold a special place in my memory.

Rating:
Summary: Mildly Exasperating
Review: The first thing that I would like to lead off with in this review is a warning. This book is the first of a series of four, and you really can't get the whole story without at least reading the next one. I had foolishsly suspected this not to be the case, and now I am going to have to go scrounge up The Fall of Hyperion somewhere in order to finish the plot that I started.

That, by the way, is my major complaint with respect to the book. While Simmons does an excellent job of building and interweaving his stories (though the linearity in the realization of the sub-plots of the book makes the supposedly random order that the pilgrims were supposed to tell their stories in somewhat difficult to believe), he does a very poor job of resolving the issues that he brings up before the end of the story. Certainly, there are more satisfying ways to end a book about a pilgrimage to a supposedly sacred site than with the pilgrims still on their way to the supposedly sacred site without much in the way of facts revealed or resolved.

On the plus side, however, stands the fact that this may be one of the most exceptional works by a science fiction writer in some time. Simmons does not demonstrate a mastery with the genres into which he delves in his six stories, but he does display a deep and impressive aptitude and familiarity with the craft. There are better detective stories you will read than The Detective's Tale--I can assure you of that much--but I doubt that you will read a better one interwoven with as many other distinct flavors of story.

The story is ultimately engaging and intriguing, if a bit plodding and, given recent writing in the genre, possibly a little passe to readers just coming into the series, but fulfilling on the whole. Just make sure that you order the other parts of the series to go with this book, as you will no doubt be searching for the next book in the series to resolve the story that remains unfinished at the end of this book.

Rating:
Summary: A dissapointment
Review: The only interesting part of the book is the touching story of Sol, Sarai, and Rachel. It seemed so real that it sounded like he had lived through the loss of a child. I hope he has not. No one should have to. His quote that 800 years in the future "medicine hadn't really changed much since the days of leeches and poultices" is interesting. He must have experience with the medical field, and assumes that those frauds won't get any better than they are now. Now on to the many problems...

Here's the biggest problem with the book. The entire book builds to a trip to the time tombs and a meeting with the Shrike. It doesn't happen. The book just ends abruptly. I thought at first my copy was missing the last few chapters, so I went to a store to look at another copy to check. That was the way Simmons intended it to end, abruptly. I guess he couldn't figure-out how to end the book, so he just didn't.

He mentions the name Hawkings 41 times. It's annoying to no end. How about just one sentence explaining how much you respect the man rather than doing so 41 times!

The idea that people fly around space on a tree while hanging-out on the limbs like monkeys is just ridiculous. Enough said about that.

Over and over again he mentions implanted cornlogs? What is a corn log? Is something technical that looks like a corn cob? Is it a play on the word kernel? A holder for multiple kernels? Some explanation would have been appreciated.

It's interesting to see how much Simmons hates Palestinians. He claims that in 800 years we're still killing and terrorizing humanity. I don't think so.

The idea that the illiteracy rate is over 99% is ridiculous. Simmons claims over and over again that people in the future won't be able to read signs or something as simple as a label on a radio dial.

Sometimes he gets in the bad rut, that seems to affect most bad sci-fi hacks. He starts adding a prefix, in his case the word 'fiber,' to words to make them sound more futuristic. Another bad sci-fi rut he allows himself to fall into is the so-called Star Trek rule of three. In other words, you give two good examples then one made-up example. An example of this tool from Star Trek, and from Simmons, "Lincoln or Churchill or Alvarez-Temp..." Simmons does this over and over again.

Finally, Simmons does the ultimate sci-fi cheap hack: Immaculate conception. The offspring of a computer program and the detective becomes the messiah of the church of Shrike. Copying this idea from the Bible didn't work in Star Wars Episode I, and it didn't work here. How about some originality?