The Hollow Man

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful throughout
Review: I think this is probably one of the best works I have ever read, by anyone (I say "probably" because Neil Gaiman's Sandman series is quite a rival for best). I can't say enough good things about it. For anyone who loves TRUE science fiction (and by that I mean fiction that relies heavily upon actual science for the plot, not simply fantasy set in outer space) this is a must-have gem far surpassing the Hyperion series.

I read another review of this book, though, saying that the short story version is better. If anyone knows what the short story version is called, and where I can find it, please e-mail me at [e-mail].

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful throughout
Review: I think this is probably one of the best works I have ever read, by anyone (I say "probably" because Neil Gaiman's Sandman series is quite a rival for best). I can't say enough good things about it. For anyone who loves TRUE science fiction (and by that I mean fiction that relies heavily upon actual science for the plot, not simply fantasy set in outer space) this is a must-have gem far surpassing the Hyperion series.

I read another review of this book, though, saying that the short story version is better. If anyone knows what the short story version is called, and where I can find it, please e-mail me at [e-mail].

Rating:
Summary: The worst of Simmons work I've read
Review: I was really surprised to see good reviews for this book. I bought it because I really loved other books I've read by Simmons - and was very let down. If you are looking for a story like Hyperion, skip this book. I can appreciate that others liked the romance/mystery/whatever aspect of this book. To me the weakness is the writing and the foggy plot made it hard to appreciate whatever inherent qualities the story was intended to have.

Rating:
Summary: 'Hell is other people'
Review: It is a rare occurrence for me to read a book straight through from sunset to sunrise, but "The Hollow Man" deserved that kind of attention, even though it is very grim reading--in Dan Simmon's world, it is better to be brain-damaged than normal, drunk or drugged rather than sober, possibly dead rather than alive.

After his wife dies, Simmon's telepathic hero descends into a peculiarly American hell of gangsters, cardboard cities, rabid gangs, child molesters, and serial killers--there are many references to Dante in this book, and although Sartre isn't directly quoted, I'd guess that the main message of "The Hollow Man" is 'Hell is other people.'

What can a brilliant mathematician do when his perfect relationship with his telepathic wife ends with her death? He can commit suicide quickly or commit suicide slowly. Jeremy Bremen tries both ways.

I didn't even try to follow the equations in this book. I had my fill of diffie q's when I was in college. You might be interested in figuring out whether the author is merely waving his hands over the math and science, or whether he is truly attempting to make a case for the creation of new universes every time we commit to an action--whether it is something as simple as sitting down or remaining on our feet. Somewhere in the swiftly branching universes, Jeremy Bremen's wife didn't get brain cancer and die. Another, much older scientist who may be the only one who understands Jeremy's equations, gets the notion that he can find a universe that didn't experience the Holocaust of WWII, and where his family didn't die in the Ravensbruck concentration camp.

He kills himself.

"The Hollow Man" splits its chapters between Jeremy's hellish adventures after his wife dies, and flashbacks to happier days when she was alive and he was solving the mysteries of the universe. The poignancy is almost too difficult to bear, but Simmons is a good author and he makes you want to follow Jeremy to his quietus. Another character, a boy who was born blind, deaf, and mute and who is viciously abused by his mother and her live-in boyfriends, also narrates parts of the story. How Jeremy's universe and the universe of the handicapped boy overlap is the highlight and climax of "The Hollow Man."


Rating:
Summary: no words
Review: No author has had a greater impact on my life than Dan Simmons ... the Hyperion cantos , Phases of Gravity ... and this incredible book . Love or Hate it but it won't let you choose

Rating:
Summary: save your money, this was the worst in a long time
Review: simmons has been a good read in the past, hyperion was excellent great ideas and characters. the hollow man is one of the worst books ive read in a while and i have read many.

Rating:
Summary: This can't be the same Dan Simmons
Review: Terrible. Just Terrible. This is the first time in years I wanted to put down a book before I finished it. In fact, I wanted to invent a time machine just so I could tell myself not to pick it up.

The Hyperion series was excellent and for this reason I picked up "The Hollow Man." This book completely lacks fresh concepts. The KIRKUS REVIEW is actually pretty accurrate when they say the author leaps but doesn't land anywhere.

The book gets caught up in ideas based on made up mathematical equasions, concepts too ill defined to really sink your teeth into and a plot which could have been told in a thirty page short story. Simmons keeps moving between current time and flashbacks in a pointless way and never finds a sense of direction (much like the movements of his protagonist). On top of all this, there are no (repeat NO) new ideas here at all.

I'm sorry I bothered with it. I'd have been better off rereading the New York Times from three weeks ago.

Rating:
Summary: **One of Simmons' best**
Review: The Hollow Man is a great read for any Simmons fan. A lovestory and a tale of personal journey (with some greatSimmons science fiction throughout). Has many moving and thoughtful passages and a particularly scary bit in the middle that you will never forget. A must-read.

Rating:
Summary: hate it or love it -- not much middle ground
Review: The Hyperion series was recommended to me by a friend, but when I went to the bookstore, the story line on HOLLOW MAN grabbed me, so I bought it first. The 'math' and metaphysical questions that seem to turn some of the other reviewers off are what really grabbed me. It makes you think, it makes you go beyond your way of thinking. Suspense, too ... compelling read.

Rating:
Summary: Hollow Man should be read on its own terms
Review: This and Summer of Night are my two favorite Dan Simmons books. However, I enjoyed the short story version of Hollow Man more than the novel version. It was also the first book to ever instill any sort of appreciation for math in me. This is one of those books however, that I fear that if you do not understand or are unable to empathasize with the loss of a loved one, it won't reach you. If you can however, it will tear your heart out and you'll totally understand our Hero's loss and drive to try anything to be with his wife again.