The Sword and Laser discussion
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The Fall of Hyperion
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Hyp: Will You Read Fall of Hyperion? *spoilers likely*
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Another atheist who likes to read about religion here!Questions of faith in far-future societies are something I find fascinating. (Or even not-so-far-future societies, I also loved The Sparrow.)
I will definately read Fall of Hyperion. I loved the book, there were definately times when I could not put it down. However, even knowing it was half-a-book going into it the end felt rushed and out of place. The Consul's tale after Remembering Siri didn't really hit me. And the resolution just felt awkward. But the last ten pages of a book aren't enough to make me lem the series.
I'm a little past half way through Fall of Hyperion and still loving it though I have to admit that I agree with the publishers decision to split this into two parts. I KNOW I would have never started, if I'd known it was this long. But now that I've been sucked into the world of Hyperion I'll probably continue through the Endymion pair as well, this time with eyes open.
Tassie Dave, Louis, Jess - I agree. One of the reasons why I like to read SF (and really got me hooked in the first place) is to have my assumptions challenged. I am new to the forum but I am surprised on how may posts on the forum complain about an SF book because it doesn't agree with the readers point of view in real life. Shouldn't SF shock/offend/challenge?
I will read the Fall of Hyperion. I don't think it was a classic. I don't think I go any of the literary references. The characters didn't seem that real to really empathise with. But the Universe and story was interesting enough for me to want to find out more and see how things resolve.
I will read the Fall of Hyperion. I don't think it was a classic. I don't think I go any of the literary references. The characters didn't seem that real to really empathise with. But the Universe and story was interesting enough for me to want to find out more and see how things resolve.
Joe wrote: "I'm a little past half way through Fall of Hyperion and still loving it though I have to admit that I agree with the publishers decision to split this into two parts. I KNOW I would have never star..."If you are loving it this far then you have to keep going all the way. Fall of Hyperion will give you some satisfying answers. But Endymion and The Rise of Endymion will show you that they are the WRONG answers - lol. Particularly about the nature of the impending conflict/war. In Hyperion we have the Web vs Ousters looming. Fall of Hyperion we have (view spoiler). Then by the last book in the series which I am 65% through its (view spoiler).
Anyway, my point is you will not fully appreciate the original book and how cleverly it was written until at least Fall of Hyperion and probably not fully till the last book.
That's why I feel a lot of the criticisms of the book are a little unfair - but I understand if the author doesn't grab you immediately he cannot expect you to trust him with more time(debt?).
Ok, I'm sold...and completely intrigued. Now I just need to find another 40 + hours in my life. Aww, who needs work anyway.
Maybe we should have just started with the last book and work our way backwards via the time tombs. :-) Anyway, I am softening my current criticisms of Hyperion because I think I read it when it was first published, so much of it rang a bell with me including the ending now that I have had time to think about it. I may have read Fall of Hyperion also since the spoilers ring bells also. But, I still don't have a complete picture so maybe I will move on to Endymion and see where that gets me and see if Simmons style improves.
Well I just downloaded the audionso I guess I'll get to it sooner than I thought, especially since I'm skipping June's book.
terpkristin wrote: "How many people, if you've finished, will read The Fall of Hyperion?"Ehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh – uh-uh.
I really liked chapters three and four (i.e.) the poet and Sol, but beyond this the story was flat. Kind of like a pancake that fell wet side down mid-flip onto the cobblestone street just after a sounder of hogs meandered by. I mean you could pick the pancake up and try to bravely press on... But is it worth it? Not when the griddle is hot and the batter is A'plenty. That is to say, when there are so many great books why choose to read a book that is so-so or just doesn't reach you. Life is too short to read unenjoyable literature.
I passed 75% on Fall of Hymperion today.
I personally loved this book. I'm not a fan of Poet but his tale was interesting as where they all. I almost cried while reading Sol's tale. The ending made me laugh in a good way and I can't wait to read the next book. As a fan of Fantasy this was a surprising two thumbs up!
Mod
With Hyperion, I felt Simmons pulled off an ambitious blend of science fiction, fantasy, horror and mystery. I found each story engaging in its own right and very intriguing as interlocking pieces to the puzzle of "What is the Shrike?".
Like others in this discussion, I've heard that Fall gives some satisfaction as completing the tale started in Hyperion, but that the subsequent books, while giving more (or alternate) answers, are nowhere near as strong. But I'll at least read through Fall.
No, I don't think I'll be getting the next book right away. I have a few other books that I want to use my precious audible credits on. :)
Started on Fall of Hyperion yesterday - It starts off pretty good!
Ok. I just finished reading Hyperion 30 minutes ago. I will definitely read Fall of Hyperion. As is my usual pattern though, I'll read another book in between. I pretty much always do this.I really enjoyed Hyperion. I liked the individual stories and their explanations of the tellers' connections to Hyperion. I want to know what's over the hill for the characters I've just met.
I do think the yellow brick road bit was on the cheesy side, but I can forgive that.
Jlawrence wrote:ike others in this discussion, I've heard that Fall gives some satisfaction as completing the tale started in Hyperion, but that the subsequent books, while giving more (or alternate) answers, are nowhere near as strong. But I'll at least read through Fall. I don't find books three and four weaker. I used to think book three was sorta weak while book four was very strong but another poster here brought up a good point about book three that has made me reconsider and realize its fine. I'll try to explain while staying as spoiler free as I can.
Books three and four take place a couple hundred years after the first two. I forget exactly how much time has passed but its been a while. The last two books center primarily around four characters, three of whom are new characters to the series. The 4th has an extremely minor cameo in Hyperion but is elevated to full fledged major character status here. How he is still around is explained plausibly and early so I'm not ruining anything if I tell you who but I'll put it in spoiler regardless (view spoiler)
Anyway the third book, Endymion, is basically about getting to know the new characters and bonding with them while learning how the universe has changed since the end of Fall of Hyperion. My initial complaint with it was that after the densely packed first two books where so much mystery and meaning was packed into every chapter that Endymion felt rather light. It wasn't bad, it was just stylistically much more a straight forward sci-fi action book and felt out of place. What another poster pointed out is that this book is for is basically to get you emotionally invested in the new characters.
Thats because book four is a return to books one and two in terms of complexity and mysteries. By the end all your questions will be answered. Also by the end if you like it well enough to stick with it you'll probably be in tears as the ending is an emotional rollercoaster. It is the first book I can ever remember tearing up over.
Mod
Just finished the series. The first book barely sets the stage. It is as a long drive to dinner to meet a lover for a romantic evening. The individual story technique of the first book nearly drove me away. I gave book two a try to see if the time spent in book one was a waste of time or an investment in pleasure. Book two is where you start to feel your heart beating a little faster with the anticipation of the events to come.
It would be interesting to have someone read books two, three, and four first. Book one might be considered delicious instead of time consuming.
No I don't think I'll read the next one. There were some parts that piqued my interest; chapter 4 was intriguing, but the book didn't entertain me enough to read a sequel.
I think I will read the all, I think the author has some great idea about the future and the society and I would like to explore them more. I hope I have the time to do so
EZ8-D
Joe wrote: "You've all read only half a novel. Reserve judgement until you've finished the novel as the author intended. You won't regret it."I appreciate what you're saying, Joe, I really do. However, I am really struggling with whether I will continue because thus far, Simmons has taken nearly 500 pages of backstory and world-building, and very little payoff to keep me invested. While obviously he's going to hold off the denouement to the end, as he should, he should have included some mini-story arcs along the way to keep us wanting more. And I have to say, there are only 1 or 2 characters for whom I can say I really care what ends up happening to them. I haven't ruled out reading the second book yet, but as of now the chances aren't that great.
I'm reading the second book since I was unhappy with the "Now that we have everyone together, let's get to work" ending of the first book. I'm still not happy with some of the unexplained bits of what's going on, but I'm hoping the second book provides a satisfying resolution for many of the questions I have.
I just started Fall of Hyperion this morning. I had planned to start Tuesday but got swamped with work. Thank goodness for a long doctor appointment today!
I just finished Hyperion today and am going to start Fall of Hyperion ... today.I really enjoyed it and I can't imagine reading through it and getting to that "end" and not needing to keep going. If you didn't like it then obviously why bother but I did! I haven't read too much of the posts since I'm just now starting to participate, but I saw some people say they didn't care about the characters, but I don't know how you can come out of each characters story and not care for them. It takes a long time to care for EVERYBODY since you only get one at a time, but by the "end" I wanted to see everyone through. (Obviously I get not liking the poet). I also saw some complaining about the world building but that was maybe my favorite thing about the whole book and one of the reasons I want to read the sequel, there's still world to build. I'd say the biggest draw for me to scifan is the world building. I love the feeling of inhabiting a new universe and the more shape there is to that universe the more immersive the inhabiting.
Nope - not moving forward. Had to Lem the first book (reasons detailed in section about Lemming).
**specifically, I wrote in the "countering loud voices of Lem-ment" section on my lemming reasons.
The Sword and Laser
Books mentioned in this topic
The Sparrow (other topics)The Fall of Hyperion (other topics)
Hyperion (other topics)
The Fall of Hyperion (other topics)
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Besides, by the time you get through to the end of the series, the question of faith is sufficiently examined and answered.