Backdraft Bookshelf's Reviews > Hyperion

Hyperion - Dan Simmons

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*Spoiler Free As Possible*

“Words are the only bullets in truth's bandolier. And poets are the snipers”.

I’ve been actively trying to refrain from giving out 5 stars like it’s Monopoly money, but hot damn does Hyperion deserve the full 5 🪓. Hyperion, a world out of reach from the laws of man, a creature known as the Shrike dwells. There are those who worship it, those who fear it, and those who vow to destroy it. In the Valley of the Time Tombs, the Shrike awaits them all. With deep philosophical undertones, religious allegories, and political machinations Hyperion has something for everyone, except the lazy reader.

“There is a fullness and calmness there which can come only from knowing pain”.

A group of strangers find themselves chosen for essentially a suicide pilgrimage to the Time Tombs. A family member to the writing style of Canterbury Tales, Simmons crafts a collection of stories that are masterfully woven together to create a web of interesting and compelling characters that fit nicely into a unifying canvas story. Each pilgrim tells their tale and each is wholly immersive. All able to contribute to the present framework and contain huge character development. Each backstory creates nuances within the world building; displaying the sheer expansiveness of Hyperion.

Simmons writes top notch prose. Nothing he puts on paper is wasted. It’s what helps make these tales so different and cohesive at the same time. I had a great time sifting through each characters purpose in life and why they’re called upon to join the pilgrimage. As each pilgrim reveals secrets that may or may not help survive the Shrike, Simmons examines the human condition through several different lenses of life. Making Hyperion a thought provoking masterpiece. Pieces of a puzzle can be scattered through the cosmos, but all is right. There is something stronger that binds them together. And they’re on their journey on their yellow brick road.

“It no longer matters who consider themselves the masters of events. Events no longer obey their masters”.

It’s mind boggling it took me so long to read this one. One of my favorite tropes is stories within stories; Canterbury Tales, Arabian Nights, The Merchant at the Alchemist’s Gate. I love the influence that the classics have on Hyperion and Simmons’ writing. There’s really too many references to name (has a nice little inception influence). And on the flip side you can clearly see what Hyperion has influenced since its publication. Hyperion is on the must read before you die list.

Q: If you’ve read Hyperion, what’s your favorite tale and why is it Hoyts 😂