Meet New Books
Meet New Books
Book Cover

Hyperion

Book 1 in the series:Hyperion Cantos

Save:
Find on Amazon

Hyperion is a science fiction novel that follows the journey of seven individuals on a pilgrimage to the mysterious Time Tombs, each sharing their own unique tale along the way. The storytelling style is reminiscent of The Canterbury Tales, with each character's story adding depth to the overall thematic arc. The book is praised for its intricate world-building, futuristic setting, and exploration of complex philosophical and ethical themes.

Characters:

The characters in Hyperion are complex and multi-faceted, each with unique motivations and backgrounds that contribute significantly to the novel's depth.

Writing/Prose:

Simmons's writing style is richly poetic and descriptive, utilizing varied narrative techniques for each character's story, making it a unique reading experience.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot intricately weaves the stories of seven pilgrims on a journey to Hyperion, revealing personal connections to the mysterious Shrike and exploring profound themes.

Setting:

The setting is a richly developed future universe, focusing on the planet Hyperion and the tensions within a galactic civilization on the edge of conflict.

Pacing:

Pacing is variable, with a mix of slow and fast sections that build tension toward a cliffhanger that some readers find unsatisfying.
The Consul awoke with the peculiar headache, dry throat, and sense of having forgotten a thousand dreams which only periods in cryogenic fugue could bring. He blinked, sat upright on a low couch, and ...

Notes:

Hyperion is structured like The Canterbury Tales, featuring pilgrims exchanging stories.
The book is set in a distant future where humanity has colonized space.
It follows seven pilgrims on a journey to the Time Tombs on the planet Hyperion.
Each pilgrim's tale reveals how they are connected to the monstrous Shrike.
The narrative spans various genres, including horror, military sci-fi, and detective noir.
The Shrike is a terrifying creature with the ability to manipulate time and inflict pain.
Major themes include the nature of faith, the consequences of human hubris, and the role of storytelling in understanding reality.
The Priest's Tale and the Scholar's Tale are standout stories for many readers due to their emotional impact.
Hyperion won the Hugo Award and is considered a classic of science fiction.
The first book ends on a cliffhanger, leading directly into its sequel, The Fall of Hyperion.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings for Hyperion include instances of graphic violence, death, trauma, and dark themes such as existential despair and psychological horror.

Has Romance?

While not the central focus, there are romantic elements present within the character stories, particularly in the contexts of love, sacrifice, and relationships that add emotional depth.

From The Publisher:

A stunning tour de force filled with transcendent awe and wonder, Hyperion is a masterwork of science fiction that resonates with excitement and invention, the first volume in a remarkable epic by the multiple-award-winning author of The Hollow Man.

On the world called Hyperion, beyond the reach of galactic law, waits a creature called the Shrike. There are those who worship it. There are those who fear it. And there are those who have vowed to destroy it. In the Valley of the Time Tombs, where huge, brooding structures move backward through time, the Shrike waits for them all.

On the eve of Armageddon, with the entire galaxy at war, seven pilgrims set forth on a final voyage to Hyperion seeking the answers to the unsolved riddles of their lives. Each carries a desperate hope-and a terrible secret. And one may hold the fate of humanity in his hands.

Praise for Dan Simmons and Hyperion

"Dan Simmons has brilliantly conceptualized a future 700 years distant. In sheer scope and complexity it matches, and perhaps even surpasses, those of Isaac Asimov and James Blish."-The Washington Post Book World

"An unfailingly inventive narrative . . . generously conceived and stylistically sure-handed."-The New York Times Book Review

"Simmons's own genius transforms space opera into a new kind of poetry."-The Denver Post

"An essential part of any science fiction collection."-Booklist

Ratings (201)

Incredible (70)
Loved It (63)
Liked It (34)
It Was OK (20)
Did Not Like (10)
Hated It (4)

Reader Stats (441):

Read It (199)
Currently Reading (9)
Want To Read (175)
Did Not Finish (12)
Not Interested (46)

1 comment(s)

Loved It
6 months

The world in this book, and the individual stories within are incredibly compelling. Can't wait to read the next one.

 

About the Author:

Dan Simmons, a full-time public school teacher until 1987, is one of the few writers who consistently work across genres, producing novels described as science fiction, horror, fantasy, and mainstream fiction, while winning major awards in all these fields. His…

 
Meet New Books is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to products and services on amazon.com and its subsidiaries.
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.