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jarrahpenguin 's review for:
Ilium
by Dan Simmons
Dan Simmons' expansive, imaginative novel Ilium is not the kind of book I'd usually go for. I picked it up on a recommendation from a friend and was really drawn into the incredibly creative world Simmons built in the book, including a reinactment of the Trojan War on Mars; future humans who have forgotten their ancestors' history and way of life, and "moravec" robots from Jupiter on a deadly mission, who keep each other company by debating Proust and Shakespeare.
At times the cast of characters and events gets so huge, especially during the Trojan War scenes, that you think you're going to lose track of what's happening, but Simmons has a way of wrapping everything up in one simple sentence before that happens.
In the end, Ilium has enough depth of thought and concept to keep a history and/or literature enthusiast intrigued, but also enough action to keep any reader from getting bored.
The only thing I found lacking was an overall political or philosophical message or important statement for the reader, beyond the idea that we should value our history and always strive for knowledge and new experiences. My favourite kind of sci-fi novels are those that challenge the reader to consider their own world differently, and I don't think Ilium really does. But it's definitely a good read anyway.
At times the cast of characters and events gets so huge, especially during the Trojan War scenes, that you think you're going to lose track of what's happening, but Simmons has a way of wrapping everything up in one simple sentence before that happens.
In the end, Ilium has enough depth of thought and concept to keep a history and/or literature enthusiast intrigued, but also enough action to keep any reader from getting bored.
The only thing I found lacking was an overall political or philosophical message or important statement for the reader, beyond the idea that we should value our history and always strive for knowledge and new experiences. My favourite kind of sci-fi novels are those that challenge the reader to consider their own world differently, and I don't think Ilium really does. But it's definitely a good read anyway.