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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
It has like 2 decent ideas. I got to read this and pretend I've read the Illiad.
adventurous
challenging
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I really like this mix of space future and the Illiad. There are three main stories and while they are confusing in how they relate at first, it eventually becomes clear.
Having not yet read its sequel, Olympos, I will withhold my critique until I can take in the work as a full piece.
I have read this a few times. This time, I read it alongside the Robert Fagles translation of the Iliad. I was impressed by just how closely Simmons followed the action with his fictional characters.
It's tough to briefly describe this book. There are three settings, which you have to trust will eventually converge. In one, a former classics professor from the 20th to 21st century has been reconstituted in the far future by what appear to be the actual Greek gods and goddesses, for the purpose of observing the actual events around the siege of Troy and determining how they differ from Homer's account. In another, a couple of organic sentient robot friends (moravecs) are traveling from Jupiter space to Mars to see what the heck is going on there, because it's recently been terraformed, but way faster than the time it should have taken to do so. In the third, we're back on Earth, ca. 3500 or so, maybe, following a group of new-style humans who move around by teleportation, having all their needs taken care of for them by non-sentient robots, and living lives of leisure.
Whew! So you can see why I've read it more than once. Every time I do, I uncover more to think about. I've read other works by Simmons, of course, and there are themes here that reappear in his other works. He's a really good storyteller, and it's easy to get immersed in the world(s) in the book. Happily, there is a sequel.
Can you enjoy this book if you haven't read the Iliad? Probably. But pick up a moden translation anyway and read along -- Simmons will tell you right in the text of this book what parts you need to read to follow the action. Oh yeah, if you have a little familiarity with Shakespeare and Proust, that will serve you well here, too.
It's tough to briefly describe this book. There are three settings, which you have to trust will eventually converge. In one, a former classics professor from the 20th to 21st century has been reconstituted in the far future by what appear to be the actual Greek gods and goddesses, for the purpose of observing the actual events around the siege of Troy and determining how they differ from Homer's account. In another, a couple of organic sentient robot friends (moravecs) are traveling from Jupiter space to Mars to see what the heck is going on there, because it's recently been terraformed, but way faster than the time it should have taken to do so. In the third, we're back on Earth, ca. 3500 or so, maybe, following a group of new-style humans who move around by teleportation, having all their needs taken care of for them by non-sentient robots, and living lives of leisure.
Whew! So you can see why I've read it more than once. Every time I do, I uncover more to think about. I've read other works by Simmons, of course, and there are themes here that reappear in his other works. He's a really good storyteller, and it's easy to get immersed in the world(s) in the book. Happily, there is a sequel.
Can you enjoy this book if you haven't read the Iliad? Probably. But pick up a moden translation anyway and read along -- Simmons will tell you right in the text of this book what parts you need to read to follow the action. Oh yeah, if you have a little familiarity with Shakespeare and Proust, that will serve you well here, too.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
funny
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Wow! Dan Simmons strikes once again, with an absolutely beautiful work of science fiction, deeply influenced by a number of classics.
Regardless of whether you're a fan of Simmons' Hyperion, sci-fi in general, or perhaps are looking for a modern retelling of the Illiad, you will find much to be pleased by! As a special treat you'll find a bit of Shakespeare and Proust for good measure!
Ilium is told from several points of view, and follows three distinct (at first, at the very least) plotlines. Suffice to say, you'll find plenty to like in each of these storylines as they wrap and encompass in something far larger.
Dan Simmons truly is a modern master of prose. Reading him has once againg been a great and profound joy, and I can only advise you to get a copy of Ilium and bury yourself within its pages.
The journey, filled with gods (Greek among others) and heroes and so much more, will not disappoint you.
Regardless of whether you're a fan of Simmons' Hyperion, sci-fi in general, or perhaps are looking for a modern retelling of the Illiad, you will find much to be pleased by! As a special treat you'll find a bit of Shakespeare and Proust for good measure!
Ilium is told from several points of view, and follows three distinct (at first, at the very least) plotlines. Suffice to say, you'll find plenty to like in each of these storylines as they wrap and encompass in something far larger.
Dan Simmons truly is a modern master of prose. Reading him has once againg been a great and profound joy, and I can only advise you to get a copy of Ilium and bury yourself within its pages.
The journey, filled with gods (Greek among others) and heroes and so much more, will not disappoint you.