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eighnjel's review against another edition
5.0
This book was more like a collection of short stories, where all of the short stories are all amazing in their own rights. Each bringing up their own set of thought experiments and ideas to meditate on. Soo good!
willinthehead's review against another edition
5.0
Not since "Dune" have I been so enthralled by a work of science fiction.
Despite the exotic settings and futuristic backdrop Simmons crafts a strikingly human tale in the 28th century about a group of six pilgrims on a voyage to contact a terrifying and menacing being known as the Shrike.
The novel is lush with intriguing SF concepts but also manages to fully realize its human elements creating a unique piece of fiction that is not to be missed by genre fans.
Despite the exotic settings and futuristic backdrop Simmons crafts a strikingly human tale in the 28th century about a group of six pilgrims on a voyage to contact a terrifying and menacing being known as the Shrike.
The novel is lush with intriguing SF concepts but also manages to fully realize its human elements creating a unique piece of fiction that is not to be missed by genre fans.
reidob's review against another edition
4.0
As someone who only occasionally dips his toe into the sci-fi canon, I feel a bit hesitant writing a review of one of its acknowledged classics, but here goes:
Hyperion is the name of a world, and is central to the stories told here. This world contains the time tombs, and within the time tombs is a creature that, in one way or another, has had a profound effect on all of the characters this book contains.
As it turns out, this is more a series of very clever short stories tied together with a compelling central plot—all of those telling their stories are on a pilgrimage to Hyperion, each for their own reasons, and their stories are thought to possibly contain the seeds of their survival. My son pointed out to me that this is much the structure of the Canterbury Tales; I must admit this had not occurred to me, but it fits, and makes the conceit all the more compelling.
As might be expected, the stories are a bit uneven in quality, and the transition between them can feel a bit jarring. But they are very smart, expertly contrived, well-written, and compelling. Each one takes on somewhat of a different genre, including the hard-boiled detective and a retelling of a Shakespearean tragedy. It's as if Simmons has set himself a challenge to base these disparate ways of telling a story all on the same world, or with some connection to it. I applaud his ambition and think he has amply achieved it.
This book was written in 1989, and although it is difficult to put my finger on precisely why, the language and style felt a bit old-fashioned to me. I know 28 years is not really all that long ago, but there is something a bit stodgy in this world of the far distant future. This is a minor complaint, though, and for the most part I found this fine book a wonderful read. I look forward to the second book in the series.
Hyperion is the name of a world, and is central to the stories told here. This world contains the time tombs, and within the time tombs is a creature that, in one way or another, has had a profound effect on all of the characters this book contains.
As it turns out, this is more a series of very clever short stories tied together with a compelling central plot—all of those telling their stories are on a pilgrimage to Hyperion, each for their own reasons, and their stories are thought to possibly contain the seeds of their survival. My son pointed out to me that this is much the structure of the Canterbury Tales; I must admit this had not occurred to me, but it fits, and makes the conceit all the more compelling.
As might be expected, the stories are a bit uneven in quality, and the transition between them can feel a bit jarring. But they are very smart, expertly contrived, well-written, and compelling. Each one takes on somewhat of a different genre, including the hard-boiled detective and a retelling of a Shakespearean tragedy. It's as if Simmons has set himself a challenge to base these disparate ways of telling a story all on the same world, or with some connection to it. I applaud his ambition and think he has amply achieved it.
This book was written in 1989, and although it is difficult to put my finger on precisely why, the language and style felt a bit old-fashioned to me. I know 28 years is not really all that long ago, but there is something a bit stodgy in this world of the far distant future. This is a minor complaint, though, and for the most part I found this fine book a wonderful read. I look forward to the second book in the series.
emmapaul's review against another edition
5.0
I can’t believe I’ve had this book sitting in my room for 2 years
mkhoffs's review against another edition
4.75
This book kept me up at night: both to finish reading because I was so enthralled (which I feel like I haven’t done in years!) and because it was a bit *~spooky~*. I loved the way this story was told and I can’t wait to see how it gets wrapped up! It ends right on a cliffhanger, making it nearly impossible to not want to start the second book immediately.
There’s a ton of world building in this book: bits and pieces of what caused people to migrate off of “Old Earth”, intergalactic politics/conflict, and AI/cybrids. This is the first of a dense four part series, so the author spends a LOT of time setting everything up accordingly. These parts are fairly easy to get through (the worst of it comes in the second to last ‘story’), a little painful at times, but totally necessary.
I’m not sure if I’m going to read the whole series yet but I’m definitely gonna plow through the second book.
There’s a ton of world building in this book: bits and pieces of what caused people to migrate off of “Old Earth”, intergalactic politics/conflict, and AI/cybrids. This is the first of a dense four part series, so the author spends a LOT of time setting everything up accordingly. These parts are fairly easy to get through (the worst of it comes in the second to last ‘story’), a little painful at times, but totally necessary.
I’m not sure if I’m going to read the whole series yet but I’m definitely gonna plow through the second book.
jdbuffington's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed the changing storytelling styles with the shifts in perspective between the characters. Each one of the characters were engaging enough on their own that I never felt bored and ready to just get to the point. However, that ending dammit. Now I have to go get the next one!
pammerhammer's review against another edition
5.0
I was not sold on this book for the first thirty or so pages. It sounded like complicated, sci-fi jargon filled, vaguely sexist and trope filled. I was wrong. So wrong. So so so so wrong.
Each story described in this book is achingly beautiful in its own way. Dan Simmons articulates a different voice for each character, completes six unique and fascinating vignettes that join together at their corners to paint a picture of a universe, a history, a culture....
My favorites were the priest, the scholar and the consul. I even cried. I never cry during books.
I have the remaining three books in the series and I can't wait to get started on them.
Each story described in this book is achingly beautiful in its own way. Dan Simmons articulates a different voice for each character, completes six unique and fascinating vignettes that join together at their corners to paint a picture of a universe, a history, a culture....
My favorites were the priest, the scholar and the consul. I even cried. I never cry during books.
I have the remaining three books in the series and I can't wait to get started on them.
magicmicah's review against another edition
5.0
Hyperion is an epic book. Like Lord of the Rings, I grew attached to the characters and their stories and read this book as fast as I could to hear all of their stories. And then I read the sequels. Truly Dan Simmons' greatest work.