Book Review: Hyperion by Dan Simmons
“We’re off to see the Wizard, the wonderful Wizard of Oz”
Summary
The story unfolds around 6 pilgrims, each carrying a dark secret to the world of Hyperion. The six have a past as mixed and varied as they come; the Priest, the Solider, the Poet, the Cop, the Scholar and the Diplomat. It is an account as they make a pilgrimage to Hyperion to seek out one the most terrifying monster ever created in fiction, the Shrike. They all have various reasons to risk their lives, and all hold the belief that whoever survives the Shrike, one prayer will be granted.
Opinion
The book is an excellent read but would not be everyone’s “cup of tea”. The book is also dependant upon it’s sequel, The fall of Hyperion. The book consists of a story line connecting the six members as we learn their back stories, any of which would be a novella that would stand alone. You learn to love and hate certain characters and the depth of back story is exhausting. Without the back story this would be another “quest” style outing. It is not. The book is worth reading for the story of Sol and Rachael alone. I find theirs most compelling and I am routing them on. I know I will most likely be disappointed, not by the sequel but by my expectations of story as Mr Simmons does keep you guessing the whole time.
In my “new reading plan” – I am off to the Dark Tower but my desire to get back to Hyperion is strong and this is exactly what I was hoping for.
As I have told you, I think the world of this book and it’s sequel. I think it is some of the finest, if not THE finest Sci-Fi ever written. Simmons is an amazing writer, as you know already. I don’t know if you will be disappointed with the ending. I wasn’t. I was surprised by it. The complexity goes up a notch, because you learn so much more about the rest of the universe, and the enemies they face. Plus you learn more of the Shrike. And there are many surprises along the way.
Agree with Scott here. This was totally amazing. By far my best read of the year, and generally speaking a book that deserves an honored place on any aficionados book self.
I am scared that when I pick up the next two books in the Hyperion Cantos they won’t be as good!