Hyperion (Hyperion Cantos, #1) in Beyond Reality

Sep 16, 2011 Soo rated it really liked it

Shelves: audiobook, audiodrama

04/07/2020 Notes:

Rating Raised from 3 Stars to 4 Stars on Audio Re-read
- The different POVs were very interesting. The cast of narrators were not great a whole because some were better than others.
- Social Aspects/Impacts on different levels/ages/location
- Time travel (in space vs planetside) on relationships.
- Religion/s
- Cyborg/Digitized Intelligence
- Aliens

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Feb 04, 2013 Antonis rated it it was amazing

4,5 / 5

Hyperion, by Dan Simmons is the first half of a truly epic science fiction story that will blow away any fan of speculative fiction! It is a book that will make you keep going “wow!” continuously! It is the story of 7 very different characters that go on a pilgrimage together, a common adventure that will reveal each one’s hidden secrets and will shake their view of their own world. If you want a quick review, here it is: It’s an amazing literary SF epic, worthy of the accolades and award 4,5 / 5

Hyperion, by Dan Simmons is the first half of a truly epic science fiction story that will blow away any fan of speculative fiction! It is a book that will make you keep going “wow!” continuously! It is the story of 7 very different characters that go on a pilgrimage together, a common adventure that will reveal each one’s hidden secrets and will shake their view of their own world. If you want a quick review, here it is: It’s an amazing literary SF epic, worthy of the accolades and awards it has received. Don’t hesitate to read it but keep the second part ready at hand before you finish!

Still here with me? Perfect! This review will be a little different than my usual structured reviews. I will give my thoughts on a more casual style. Here we go!

The book is structured as several stand-alone tales set in a common universe. This sounds a bit fractured and risky but it works perfectly. The main characters share their stories, one at a time, while advancing on their journey. Little by little, each person’s history, secrets, motivations and aims are revealed. What makes this roll even smoother is that along with those, we keep learning about the universe, the world of Hyperion and about the Shrike and its mystery. If there’s one big negative that I can charge on this book is lack of resolution at the ending. The book ends incredibly abruptly and it’s obvious that it was never meant to be read as a stand-alone but only as the first half of the story. And that’s why I subtracted a half-point from the score.

What about the pace and writing I hear you asking! The least I can say about Simmons’ pace and way of exposition is that it’s masterful and ingenious! The individual stories might sometimes drag a bit or feel a bit irrelevant but by the end of each one, we can feel their importance and their value. Even though there’s not so much action, the pace is fast and smooth, eventually becoming a true page-turner with clear and beautiful language. Especially on that last part, I am simply astounded by the perfect balance Simmons has achieved in Hyperion. Simmons manages to showcase his wonderful skill with beautiful, complex and truly literary writing style while at the same time keeping it simple enough and to-the-point that it never hinders or tires the reader. The descriptions are apt and precise, yet unique and interesting. Background information is given often at every chance but it never ever feels as a dry info-dump; on the contrary it is there exactly when we want it and always as much as is required. Dialogues are crisp and realistic, coming off very naturally and appropriately.

The characters, as mentioned earlier, are very different from each other and that is portrayed excellently. Very soon we come to expect each one’s reactions and after every story we get a better glimpse of who they are and what made them so. Even though interaction among them is restricted to the chapters in-between their tales, the group’s social dynamics evolve fittingly. In short, characterization is never found lacking with imperfect, realistic and believable personalities that can be related to.

The world building is also incredible! The scope and complexity of the universe and all its parts that Simmons has created, balanced and presents herein is truly captivating! As I believe that this is a major part of the mystery of the book and a lot of enjoyment comes from discovering it, I will refrain from saying more. But trust me when I say that without a doubt this is the book’s strongest and most appealing attribute!! Since we’re talking about a SF work, it’s only right that I mention the science of Hyperion. As usually expected from a SF epic novel, some exaggerating and far-fetched scientific explanations are always to be present. After all, an adequate level of suspension of disbelief is always required when reading SF/F. But even here, Simmons works his magic and even when some science might be a bit strange it never feels jarring or off-putting. And that’s because all parts of the created universe in Hyperion support each other, science included. I’m pretty confident that Simmons must have had a paper-mountain of notes when writing this one!

In conclusion, this is easily one of the best works of science fiction I have ever read. It is impressive and brilliant, epic and magnificent. The only problem is that it does not stand alone but requires the reader to continue to the second half of the story immediately. That’s exactly what I intend to do. I suggest you follow my advice and read Hyperion! Highly recommended!

4,5 / 5
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