Rating: 
Summary: I think this book does fall in the middle ground . . .
Review: . . . despite the "love it or hate it" theme of the rest of the reviews on this page. I don't think this is a great book, but neither is it as bad as some of the other reviewers have posted. Bad one star books are the formulaic garbage cranked out by too many publishers these days. This isn't one of those. At least there are some thought provoking ideas in this book, and for me the best part was the romance between the telepathic married couple. Imagine the possibilities (and the difficulties). I think Simmons handled that part very well, while other parts didn't work for me. Such as the "look everybody, I did my research" mathematics formulae scattered throughout, which the average reader will not understand or care about. Doing the research is important, but I think it was overdone for this book. I would say that this is not a good place to start with Simmons, but for someone who has read his better books and wants more, there are much worse ways to spend an evening than reading this. Nobody hits a home run every time they step up to the plate.
Rating: 
Summary: Powerful, challenging, heartfelt and ultimately astounding
Review: A truly unique and rewarding reading experience. One of the very few novels I've come across that blew my mind and brought tears to my eyes. Simmons puts impressive research to good use backing up a series of unexpected events that lead to a surreal finale so logically expounded I completely believed and was greatly moved. The kind of novel I always wish for and very rarely find. Thank you Dan Simmons!
Rating: 
Summary: Very disappointing.
Review: After devouring the Hyperion series and loving it, The Hollow Man was set up for high expectations. Even without those expectations, I believe that I would have been extremely disappointed in The Hollow Man.The book gets hung up on meaningless mathematics. For such an intelligent person, the main character acts like a idiot. While some might argue the emotions that are driving his behavior, I find it a hard leap. Overall, very disappointing, and I probably won't pick up another Dan Simmons book unless someone convinces me otherwise.
Rating:
Summary: Too painful to read
Review: After reading "Hyperion" I eagerly bought "The hollow man". It was a dissapointment. Too grim, depressing, the quantum physics part does not make sense and is too repetitious and the horror element is the worse aspect. Even Simmons admitted in a interview that writing this book was his most painful one.
Rating:
Summary: good idea - strange writing
Review: After reading the book I had mixed feelings. I read it fast - there was suspense. But then, Jeremy travels through the USA, his behavior inexplicable and without motivation. His grief does not explain it. And he behaves in a completely unnatural way that is not psychologically explained at all. Jeremey's chaos math seems to have entered Simmons' brain while he was writing the novel. I liked "Song of Kali" a lot better.
Rating:
Summary: The Hollow Man is Amazing!
Review: After reading the other comments on this page I realise that this may not be everybody's idea of a fantastic novel. However, if you have enjoyed Simmons previously and/or you would like to read something truly original, try this. This novel certainly lives up to Dan Simmons reputation as being perhaps the most dynamic author of our, or any, time. This book, the story of Jeremy, who loses his way after the death of his wife only to, eventually, rediscover himself, his wife and the secret of life and death itself, is one of the strangest and most brilliant works of fiction in existence. I can only guess that the authors of the negative comments on this page must simply have failed the understand the massive scope of the journey that Simmons had led them on. Perhaps second only to Summer of Night, although I am yet to read Children of the Night or any of The Hyperion Cantos.
Rating:
Summary: A blast of a ride
Review: All Dan Simmons books up till this point are wonderful. After... he loses much of his touch. This is an expanded story from one of his original shorts. To me it was a blast. Like his best work it is a thriller and it makes you think. His language is also wonderful. Get it.
Rating:
Summary: A blast of a ride
Review: All Dan Simmons books up till this point are wonderful. After... he loses much of his touch. This is an expanded story from one of his original shorts. To me it was a blast. Like his best work it is a thriller and it makes you think. His language is also wonderful. Get it.
Rating:
Summary: Hollow Man, hollow book!!
Review: As a Dan Simmons fan, it pains me to have to trash this book, but a trashing is more than called for. Simmons has a great idea but squanders it on a story that goes nowhere -- the plot randomly wanders around and then suddenly stops. The bulk of the story seems to be filler composed of bits and pieces of short story ideas (e.g. the Miz Morgan incident) whose sole purpose is to provide an excuse for the main character to arrive at the final section. I also have to ask how many more times Simmons intends to recycle the "old Jewish guy" character! The book is not a complete disaster since it does have imaginative ideas and -- if judged individually -- some well-written sections, but overall is still not worth reading.
I'm left wondering if Simmons is on the same downward spiral that Arthur C. Clarke, Orson Scott Card, and William Gibson seem to be taking.
Rating:
Summary: Mediocre for Dan Simmons
Review: First off, I am a huge fan of Dan Simmons, but I felt that 'The Hollow Man' fell far below his usual standards in storytelling and writing. Although it begins and initially proceeds well, towards the end it becomes confused and it seems that Mr. Simmons doesn't really know how to end the story and resolve all the questions it ultimately poses. I'd recommend skipping this novel altogether and reading his other excellent novels, especially the Hyperion series.
| 
