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4.24 AVERAGE
4.24 AVERAGE
Resté longtemps sur ma liste de « livres à lire parce qu’apparemment très bien noté mais quand même je suis pas inspiré », je me suis finalement décidée à lui donner sa chance.
Hyperion se déroule dans un futur lointain, où l’humanité s’est étendue à travers l’espace, dans une sorte de système gouvernemental appelé l’Hégémonie (je suppose pour la traduction française), et du Web. Sur un de ces nombreux mondes, Hyperion, se trouve une créature mythique, le Shrike, dans l’étrange Vallée des « Time Tombs », révéré par certains, crains par d’autres. Sept pèlerins, tous liés à Hyperion d’une manière ou d’une autre, ont pour mission de détruire le Shrike. Si, comme moi, vous n’êtes pas nécessairement inspirés par ce bref synopsis, sachez que vous faites une erreur. Parce que l’histoire est bien, bien plus complexe que n’importe quel résumé. Chaque personnage a un développement et une histoire liée à Hyperion, et toutes sont à la fois tragiques et merveilleusement bien écrites. Quelques clichés sont parfois un peu dommageables - mais qui n’en fait pas ? J’ai particulièrement été touchée par celle de Sol Weintraub.
Le monde construit par Dan Simmons peut en décourager certains, faisant parti de ces auteurs qui te balancent dans l’histoire sans prévenir en bombardant de termes et d’éléments nouveaux, mais c’est personnellement quelque chose que j’apprécie énormément: j’aime les univers qui ont l’air d’avoir une histoire avant l’histoire, un vrai développement. Je ne peux que vous recommender chaudement Hyperion. Extrêmement bien écrit, cadencé, émouvant, j’ai vraiment hâte de plonger dans la suite !
As book that stayed for a while in my « books to read because it is apparently well marked but I don’t feel inspired by it » list, it was about time I give it a chance. Hyperion takes place in a faraway future, where mankind has spread through space, in a sort of governmental system called Hegemony, and in the Web. On one of these many worlds, Hyperion, is found a mythical creature, the Shrike, in the strange Time Tombs Valley, revered by some, feared by others. Seven pilgrims, all of them related to Hyperion in some way or another, have for mission to destroy the Shrike.
If, like me, you are not necessarily inspired by this brief synopsis, please note that you are making a mistake. Because the story is much, much more complex than any kind of summary. Each character has a true development and a story related to Hyperion, and each of them are both tragic and marvellously well-written. Some clichés are sometimes a bit prejudicial - but who never does any ? I have been particularly moved by Sol Weintraub’s one.
The world built by Dan Simmons may discourage some, being one of those authors who just thrown you into a story without any kind of warning and bombard with new terms and elements, but it is something that I personally love: I adore universe that seem to have a story before the story, and true development.
I can only recommend Hyperion. Extremely well written, cadenced, moving, I look forward to reading the next volume !
Hyperion se déroule dans un futur lointain, où l’humanité s’est étendue à travers l’espace, dans une sorte de système gouvernemental appelé l’Hégémonie (je suppose pour la traduction française), et du Web. Sur un de ces nombreux mondes, Hyperion, se trouve une créature mythique, le Shrike, dans l’étrange Vallée des « Time Tombs », révéré par certains, crains par d’autres. Sept pèlerins, tous liés à Hyperion d’une manière ou d’une autre, ont pour mission de détruire le Shrike. Si, comme moi, vous n’êtes pas nécessairement inspirés par ce bref synopsis, sachez que vous faites une erreur. Parce que l’histoire est bien, bien plus complexe que n’importe quel résumé. Chaque personnage a un développement et une histoire liée à Hyperion, et toutes sont à la fois tragiques et merveilleusement bien écrites. Quelques clichés sont parfois un peu dommageables - mais qui n’en fait pas ? J’ai particulièrement été touchée par celle de Sol Weintraub.
Le monde construit par Dan Simmons peut en décourager certains, faisant parti de ces auteurs qui te balancent dans l’histoire sans prévenir en bombardant de termes et d’éléments nouveaux, mais c’est personnellement quelque chose que j’apprécie énormément: j’aime les univers qui ont l’air d’avoir une histoire avant l’histoire, un vrai développement. Je ne peux que vous recommender chaudement Hyperion. Extrêmement bien écrit, cadencé, émouvant, j’ai vraiment hâte de plonger dans la suite !
As book that stayed for a while in my « books to read because it is apparently well marked but I don’t feel inspired by it » list, it was about time I give it a chance. Hyperion takes place in a faraway future, where mankind has spread through space, in a sort of governmental system called Hegemony, and in the Web. On one of these many worlds, Hyperion, is found a mythical creature, the Shrike, in the strange Time Tombs Valley, revered by some, feared by others. Seven pilgrims, all of them related to Hyperion in some way or another, have for mission to destroy the Shrike.
If, like me, you are not necessarily inspired by this brief synopsis, please note that you are making a mistake. Because the story is much, much more complex than any kind of summary. Each character has a true development and a story related to Hyperion, and each of them are both tragic and marvellously well-written. Some clichés are sometimes a bit prejudicial - but who never does any ? I have been particularly moved by Sol Weintraub’s one.
The world built by Dan Simmons may discourage some, being one of those authors who just thrown you into a story without any kind of warning and bombard with new terms and elements, but it is something that I personally love: I adore universe that seem to have a story before the story, and true development.
I can only recommend Hyperion. Extremely well written, cadenced, moving, I look forward to reading the next volume !
Wow. I can see why this is considered such a classic and a pillar of the genre. As far as praise, I can't say much that hasn't already been said by reviews more eloquent than mine, but here are some of my disjointed thoughts.
I certainly wasn't sold in the first story or even in the first half, but once I got to The Poet's Tale, I couldn't put this down. I love the format - each chapter is a different literary style - horror, war story, poetic epic, tragedy, romance, noir detective, etc. There's a genre in here for everyone, but each tale is weaved seamlessly together by the end, and we see how all of the major players have arrived at their pilgrimage.
I absolutely love how literary and philosophical this was. I was expecting a space opera with a lot of interesting technology, good characters, and a grand, interwoven story, but I wasn't expecting the amount of depth this held. It contains exciting literary and philosophical references from "Old Earth" thinkers, a grappling with religion and an unjust world, passages on environmental collapse and the eternally self-destructive nature of humanity, and dangerous AI. The musings on life, particularly from Martin Silenus in The Poet's Tale and Sol and Sarai Weintraub in The Scholar's Tale, were deeply moving. The Scholar's Tale made me cry for more than half the chapter for how tragic it was.
My only criticism - some of the romances were a bit clunky - Kassad's, in particular, with a female character who really isn't a person and is just an object of his lust, flitting in and out of his life. I hope book two will reveal more about Moneta.
Some questions I have: Did Martin Silenus really invent or create the Shrike with his epic poem, similar to the idea that folkloric creatures exist the more people believe in them? Does the Shrike simply fulfill the role that people dream up for it? Is it a god for the Bikura, a boogeyman for the common people of Hyperion, and death itself as brought about by Martin Silenus? Did the Catholic Church die and become the Shrike Cult, based on similar terminology used to describe both? Why is there cruciform imagery present in otherwise unrelated stories? Why, of all the things from Old Earth, did the Hells Angels survive in some form? Lol. Did Dan Simmons take inspiration from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and make the Maui-Covenant's dolphins the secret sentient, actually all-knowing beings?
I certainly wasn't sold in the first story or even in the first half, but once I got to The Poet's Tale, I couldn't put this down. I love the format - each chapter is a different literary style - horror, war story, poetic epic, tragedy, romance, noir detective, etc. There's a genre in here for everyone, but each tale is weaved seamlessly together by the end, and we see how all of the major players have arrived at their pilgrimage.
I absolutely love how literary and philosophical this was. I was expecting a space opera with a lot of interesting technology, good characters, and a grand, interwoven story, but I wasn't expecting the amount of depth this held. It contains exciting literary and philosophical references from "Old Earth" thinkers, a grappling with religion and an unjust world, passages on environmental collapse and the eternally self-destructive nature of humanity, and dangerous AI. The musings on life, particularly from Martin Silenus in The Poet's Tale and Sol and Sarai Weintraub in The Scholar's Tale, were deeply moving. The Scholar's Tale made me cry for more than half the chapter for how tragic it was.
My only criticism - some of the romances were a bit clunky - Kassad's, in particular, with a female character who really isn't a person and is just an object of his lust, flitting in and out of his life. I hope book two will reveal more about Moneta.
Some questions I have: Did Martin Silenus really invent or create the Shrike with his epic poem, similar to the idea that folkloric creatures exist the more people believe in them? Does the Shrike simply fulfill the role that people dream up for it? Is it a god for the Bikura, a boogeyman for the common people of Hyperion, and death itself as brought about by Martin Silenus? Did the Catholic Church die and become the Shrike Cult, based on similar terminology used to describe both? Why is there cruciform imagery present in otherwise unrelated stories? Why, of all the things from Old Earth, did the Hells Angels survive in some form? Lol. Did Dan Simmons take inspiration from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and make the Maui-Covenant's dolphins the secret sentient, actually all-knowing beings?
adventurous
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
My book club picked this to read in April 2021. I've always avoided it, mostly because of the cult that posts about it endlessly. I was joking with a friend who only reads SFF, that anyone on reddit with a request gets *Hyperion* as a suggestion. Every single time.
"I want a fun space opera." "Have you tried 'Hyperion'?"
"I'd like a mystery novel." "I suggest 'Hyperion'."
"I need gluten free recipes." "Gotta be 'Hyperion'."
"I'm looking for an owner manual for a 1985 Ford Ranger." "You need 'Hyperion'."
I've thought of a lot of these, but you get the point.
So yeah, I was reluctant. But I read it. It took me all month. I thought it was technically fine. It's definitely not deserving of all the hype. I get that I've only received part of the story by not immediately starting book 2, but I needed a break from that.
I'll admit, Weintraub's story got me thinking, and if I try book 2 it's only to find out what happens next. Otherwise, eh... I'm good.
"I want a fun space opera." "Have you tried 'Hyperion'?"
"I'd like a mystery novel." "I suggest 'Hyperion'."
"I need gluten free recipes." "Gotta be 'Hyperion'."
"I'm looking for an owner manual for a 1985 Ford Ranger." "You need 'Hyperion'."
I've thought of a lot of these, but you get the point.
So yeah, I was reluctant. But I read it. It took me all month. I thought it was technically fine. It's definitely not deserving of all the hype. I get that I've only received part of the story by not immediately starting book 2, but I needed a break from that.
I'll admit, Weintraub's story got me thinking, and if I try book 2 it's only to find out what happens next. Otherwise, eh... I'm good.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated