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This is our discussion of...



Hyperion by Dan Simmons

Hugo Award for Best Novel, 1990.

wow, I wasn't expecting it, but this book is really pulling me in. the mystery of what is going on is great, as well as really wanting to know the back story of the pilgrims. I'm not a big fan of hard core sci-fi, and finding this book an nice medium ground is a pleasant surprise.

Hyperion: the two best short stories in science fiction surrounded by a middling space opera.

Kinda feel like I'm the only one reading this... Any other takes on the book so far?

You're not alone, Jason! I've been busy with midterms so I'm only 30 pages in, but I'm buckling down this weekend to read. I started pretty skeptical - never having read a "hard core" sci-fi novel before, but I'm starting to be pulled in. The character development seems like it's going to be extremely intricate. I'm looking forward to it.
I'll be back tonight or tomorrow with some more thoughts and questions!

Hyperion fell into the odd category of a book I enjoyed reading, but had no interest in reading again. While I liked the general Canterbury Tales structure of each Pilgrim sharing a background story, as well as most of those stories themselves, I don't have really clear recollection of which story went with which character. (Canterbury Tales is a story I didn't particularly like nor care to read again. :)

I skimmed through Hyperion last month for the group discussion and found it even better than the first time I read it. Especially the heartbreaking story of the little Rachel. But "The fall of Hyperion" is even better imo.

I've just started The Fall of Hyperion - I'm hoping it will reveal the mystery that the first book took all of its pages building up.

Hmm, this is one of those books that while I liked the first one, I had no interest in following the rest of the series. Hyperion hit moments of brilliance but if the rest of it is just more mediocre space opera I'm not really interested in finding out how the story ends. Can anything else really match the Scholar's Tale?

Dan Simmons has officially attracted my interest, steadily melting my initial skepticism throughout Father Hoyt's story. I love the portrayal of the Bikura and the gradual explanation of the mysticism they represent. The Canterbury Tale type structure hasn't failed, in my opinion, quite yet. I just hope the other stories are as interesting as Father Hoyt's.
I'm about ten pages into chapter two. How far is everyone else?

I've never read The Canterbury tales, but I think Hyperion is one of the greatest books I've read. My favorite tales are the priest's, the scholar's, and the consul's; I just find these stories amazing and I'd read them again.
I see everything that happens in the "present" as just a setup for the Fall of Hyperion.

Mason wrote: "I just hope the other stories are as interesting as Father Hoyt's."

I don't know that all the other stories are as interesting as this one because I found it great, but it's probably safe to say that you'll at least like Sol's tale.

I was subjected to The Canterbury Tales in school. While I admired the structure, I was not particularly enamored of the book itself. Just started Hyperion. Still in the Prologue. So far, beautiful prose.

Bryan wrote: "I don't know that all the other stories are as interesting as this one because I found it great, but it's probably safe to say that you'll at least like Sol's tale."

Yeah Simmons definitely set himself a high standard for the rest of the stories. I don't think there's any way he could top Father Hoyt's, but we'll see. And good! I'm looking forward to Sol's!

Charles wrote: "Just started Hyperion. Still in the Prologue. So far, beautiful prose."

I agree with the prose comment! I didn't at first - maybe just because I was adjusting to all the world-specific words I didn't recognize, but the prose is growing on me. I like the way he examines each of the characters. He does this, at times, at the cost of sacrificing some scene description, but I think it serves the story well, as the plot is largely character based.

About mid-way through Sol's tale about his daughter, Rachel. A week ago I felt like Mason...I didn't think Simmons would be able to top the Priest's story, which lead off these tales in such strong fashion.

I have to say, so far, Sol's story is probably my favorite because it's just so damn heartbreaking. The soldier's story was decent and the poet's was pretty good but the Priest and the Scholar have been easily my two favorites so far.

I also find myself liking the Consul and look forward to his story since he seems to be the main character, if there is one.

That's good to hear I have a story to look forward to that will rival the priest's! I'm nervous for the heartbreak, though. I don't do well with tear-jerkers.

Currently about to start Kassad's story. I'll be back tomorrow with thoughts and questions!

Just finished Kassad's story. It was a complete 180 from the Priest's. Maybe ordering the two in quick succession was a conscious choice by Simmons. It made Kassad's story that much more primal and raw. I liked the action in his tale which, though perhaps not as gripping as the mystery in the Priest's, served Kassad's personality well. The final stroke of brilliance, though, was the revelation about the Shrike's killing Tree. Nothing like a little foreshadowing to keep me turning the pages.
Anybody like Kassad's story better than the Priest's?

Mason wrote: "Just finished Kassad's story. It was a complete 180 from the Priest's. Maybe ordering the two in quick succession was a conscious choice by Simmons. It made Kassad's story that much more primal and..."

Kassad's story was my favorite. I've always liked stories about soldiers bred or conditioned to be "super soldiers", like Dickson's Dorsai or Herbert's Fremen. All the stories are good though, and important to the overall story

Garyjn wrote: "Kassad's story was my favorite. I've always liked stories about soldiers bred or conditioned to be "super soldiers", like Dickson's Dorsai or Herbert's Fremen. All the stories are good though, and important to the overall story."

I'm a fan of the "super soldier" plot line as well. Normally though, I prefer soldiers who rely almost exclusively on intellect like Bean and Ender from the Ender's Game books. On the other hand, Kassad is an interesting blend of intellect and physique, so I'm looking forward to see what he comes up with against the Shrike.

Just finished Martin Silenus’s tale. I didn’t have high standards, not having identified much with the poet, but I found him nearly as interesting as Kassad. Being a writer myself, I can relate to, despite my initial doubts, Silenus’s obsession with words. To me, it seemed that the largest part of his story is predicated on his fixation with purpose which, ultimately, he finds on Hyperion through his writing. To feel such a purpose is my ultimate goal. If I can channel a message or story or poem through myself that transcends my own mind, then I will have succeeded as a writer.

Does anyone else identify with Martin’s actions (or lack thereof) on Hyperion?

Just finished Sol’s story. I have to say I like Kassad’s and the Priest’s better only because they left my emotions intact. Sol’s did not. His journey to Hyperion was far and above the most difficult one. Accordingly, he has, so far, the most pressing need out of the entire group. I’m rooting for him to come back alive. What about everyone else? If you had to choose only one person to come back alive (zero clue how applicable this question may be), whom would you choose?

Well, Mason, we're at about the same point in the book now since I haven't had much opportunity to read this past week. So far I would have to say I'm rooting for Rachel (via Sol, of course) to be the one who gets the most benefit our of this "pilgrimage". I do feel for the others, but not nearly as much as the Weintraubs, at least at this point...

...Will try to get through the Detective's Tale either tonight or tomorrow afternoon.

Awesome, Doug, I'll do the same. Anyone else team Rachel?

I love the stories as well, Paolo! Do you have a favorite one?

Just finished Brawne Lamia’s tale. I like Brawne much more as a character now. I have a respect for her hard-nosed, no nonsense approach to her work. Also, I think her story has had the most far reaching political consequences of those told so far. Johnny’s information about the TechnoCore begins to tie everything together on a much grander scale. I’m beginning to see how there could be an entire Hyperion series. I’m excited to see how everything is resolved (or not), but I’m also starting to get a sinking feeling about the ending. Anyone else who hasn’t finished have the same feeling?

Mason wrote: "Just finished Brawne Lamia’s tale. I like Brawne much more as a character now. I have a respect for her hard-nosed, no nonsense approach to her work. Also, I think her story has had the most far re..."

I am definitely getting that same feeling re: the end. I'm not too sure any of our brave pilgrims are going to make it out of this one alive..Having just finished Brawne's tale as well, there's not a whole lot of time left before we reach the conclusion.

My random prediction is the Consul makes it out of this with Rachel as the two lone survivors. We shall see!

Unfortunately, I don't think your prediction is too outlandish, Doug. We shall see indeed!

Just got it from Audible to listen while away for a few days. The audio version has different readers for the pilgrims. That could be interesting.

Just finished the priest's story. Definitely looking forward to reading more.

Sarah wrote: "Just finished the priest's story. Definitely looking forward to reading more."

Exactly how I felt! The author definitely chose the Priest's story to go first for a reason.

I just have a few pages left! I'll be back tonight with some final thoughts.

The Consul introduced a whole new dimension to the plot. His story helped highlight some of the gray politics within Brawne and Johnny’s story. Further, his tale paints him as one of my favorite characters to read about: a rogue specialist with no clear enemy or objective in mind.

The Consul’s recording was interesting as well. I like the idea of the odd relationship between Merin and Siri. I was drawn in by the sequence of the story, only being allowed to nibble on different bits at any one time.

All in all, the Priest’s story is still my favorite with Kassad’s, Lamia’s, and Sol’s all close behind. I’m definitely going to pick up the next installment in the series. But first, I think it would be cool if everyone shared their reviews of Hyperion here. If you plan to write one, just copy and paste it into this group so the rest of us can see. It’s been great discussing with you guys!

Here's my review!
Rating
Hyperion is the first "hardcore" science book I've ever read and, unfortunately, I think it set the bar unreasonably high for the rest of the genre. I gave it four stars instead of five only because of some fairly minor issues I had with the writing. The story itself, however, deserves a perfect score.

Plot
“Hyperion� is a thrilling space opera began in media res with little world description or scene setting. Instead, Simmons sprinkles details of his futuristic universe throughout the course of the entire novel with a Canterbury Tales type structure wherein we hear the backstories of the main characters. Brought together for a galactic pilgrimage, the protagonists seem to share one common trait: Hyperion. Only recently colonized, the world called Hyperion is the location of the only unsolved scientific anomaly in the universe and the blade covered "Shrike" that manipulates it. Through a series of extended stories, Simmons not only unveils the mystery of the Shrike, he delves into the politics of the galactic government called the Hegemony, the turmoil within the cohort of artificial intelligence computers called the TechnoCore, and motivations of the Hegemony's biggest threat, a race called the Ousters.
“Hyperion� gives the reader just enough information to make her want more and constantly has her guessing what will happen next - all in all a great story.

Writing
Simmons is more than capable as a writer. I enjoyed his prose and his poetic style, but there were times throughout the book when he failed to reach these standards. It seemed to me that he had a tendency to strive for the eloquent, poetic prose too often and, consequently, was not able to achieve it every time. This resulted in, what appeared to be, a writer trying too hard to prove the quality of his writing. Ultimately, though, Simmons prose was well within the range of quality needed to tell such a great story.

Recommendation
I highly recommend. Even if you're not a fan of science fiction, I think you'll find Hyperion to be an outlier. The characters' stories have their own miniature genres which contain much broader appeal than does a typical science fiction read.

For those interesting in continuing the discussion, we now have a Discussion of The Fall of Hyperion.