Markus's Reviews > Hyperion
Hyperion (Hyperion Cantos, #1)
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![26681101](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1421952301p2/26681101.jpg)
Deep in the shady sadness of a vale
Far sunken from the healthy breath of morn.
Hyperion...
Imagine a universe where the Earth has been destroyed and humanity is spread out across hundreds of planets. Combine the artful poetry of John Keats with a science fiction retelling of the Canterbury Tales. Add tons of references to the myths and legends of the three Abrahamic religions, and what you have is Hyperion. A masterpiece of literature.
Seven pilgrims come together aboard the treeship Yggdrasil to make a journey to the remote planet Hyperion, outside the authority and jurisdiction of the Hegemony of Man. Each and every one of them has been specifically chosen by the Church of Final Atonement to undertake a pilgrimage to the enigmatic creature known only as the Shrike. And each and every one of them has been chosen because of a personal connection with the planet itself. Thus begins a quest to uncover the lost secrets hidden within the Valley of the Time Tombs, a place from which no pilgrim has ever come back alive.
This book deserves to be hailed alongside the greatest works of science fiction. While Dan Simmons’ writing is not something memorable in itself, he certainly makes up for it with the creation of his characters, his setting and most importantly his story.
The most fascinating part of the book is definitely the mystery of the Time Tombs themselves, huge structures that supposedly move backwards through time, originating in a distant future. Thus the book explores the concept of time itself, and the unforeseen consequences the effects of the Tombs have had and will have on the pilgrims' lives and the universe as a whole.
Hyperion is more a collection of short stories with an overarching frame story than an actual novel. That structure is part of what makes the book so much of a joy to read. Every chapter has one of the pilgrims tell his or her tale to the others in order to share information that will be vital for their survival and the success of their mission. And each tale brings the group closer to the Valley of the Time Tombs, where the Shrike is waiting for them.
The Priest, the Soldier, the Poet, the Scholar, the Detective, the Consul and the Templar. All of them with a with a story to tell and a part to play.
Still singing loudly, not looking back, matching stride for stride, they descended into the valley.
![description](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1415355235i/11776489._SX540_.jpg)
Far sunken from the healthy breath of morn.
Hyperion...
Imagine a universe where the Earth has been destroyed and humanity is spread out across hundreds of planets. Combine the artful poetry of John Keats with a science fiction retelling of the Canterbury Tales. Add tons of references to the myths and legends of the three Abrahamic religions, and what you have is Hyperion. A masterpiece of literature.
Seven pilgrims come together aboard the treeship Yggdrasil to make a journey to the remote planet Hyperion, outside the authority and jurisdiction of the Hegemony of Man. Each and every one of them has been specifically chosen by the Church of Final Atonement to undertake a pilgrimage to the enigmatic creature known only as the Shrike. And each and every one of them has been chosen because of a personal connection with the planet itself. Thus begins a quest to uncover the lost secrets hidden within the Valley of the Time Tombs, a place from which no pilgrim has ever come back alive.
This book deserves to be hailed alongside the greatest works of science fiction. While Dan Simmons’ writing is not something memorable in itself, he certainly makes up for it with the creation of his characters, his setting and most importantly his story.
The most fascinating part of the book is definitely the mystery of the Time Tombs themselves, huge structures that supposedly move backwards through time, originating in a distant future. Thus the book explores the concept of time itself, and the unforeseen consequences the effects of the Tombs have had and will have on the pilgrims' lives and the universe as a whole.
Hyperion is more a collection of short stories with an overarching frame story than an actual novel. That structure is part of what makes the book so much of a joy to read. Every chapter has one of the pilgrims tell his or her tale to the others in order to share information that will be vital for their survival and the success of their mission. And each tale brings the group closer to the Valley of the Time Tombs, where the Shrike is waiting for them.
The Priest, the Soldier, the Poet, the Scholar, the Detective, the Consul and the Templar. All of them with a with a story to tell and a part to play.
Still singing loudly, not looking back, matching stride for stride, they descended into the valley.
![description](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1415355235i/11776489._SX540_.jpg)
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Reading Progress
October 24, 2014
–
Started Reading
October 24, 2014
– Shelved
October 24, 2014
–
11.0%
""You have been chosen to return to Hyperion as a member of the Shrike Pilgrimage."
Awesome beginning!"
Awesome beginning!"
October 25, 2014
–
21.0%
"Father Hoyt's tale has been told, and this book has got me firmly on the hook!"
October 27, 2014
–
36.0%
"End of Chapter 2.
The soldier's tale was just as interesting as the priest's!"
The soldier's tale was just as interesting as the priest's!"
November 1, 2014
–
48.0%
"End of Chapter 3.
The Poet's tale was definitely the least interesting of the three pilgrim's tales that have been told so far. The only good thing about it was the introduction to the character of Sad King Billy."
The Poet's tale was definitely the least interesting of the three pilgrim's tales that have been told so far. The only good thing about it was the introduction to the character of Sad King Billy."
November 4, 2014
–
64.0%
"End of Chapter 4.
Astonishing. Beautiful. And heartbreaking. Four of the pilgrims' tales have been told, and the Scholar's Tale was the most fascinating by far!"
Astonishing. Beautiful. And heartbreaking. Four of the pilgrims' tales have been told, and the Scholar's Tale was the most fascinating by far!"
November 6, 2014
–
85.0%
"End of Chapter 5.
Telling your tale just after Sol Weintraub, the Scholar, seemed like a monumental task. But the Detective Brawne Lamia handled it remarkably well. It was also deeply fascinating to explore Dan Simmons' connection to the poet John Keats."
Telling your tale just after Sol Weintraub, the Scholar, seemed like a monumental task. But the Detective Brawne Lamia handled it remarkably well. It was also deeply fascinating to explore Dan Simmons' connection to the poet John Keats."
November 7, 2014
–
100.0%
"Still singing loudly, not looking back, matching stride for stride, they descended into the valley.
Wonderful. The Consul's Tale was grand, but the Epilogue made the whole book brilliant."
Wonderful. The Consul's Tale was grand, but the Epilogue made the whole book brilliant."
November 7, 2014
–
Finished Reading
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message 1:
by
Andrew
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rated it 5 stars
Oct 24, 2014 03:58PM
![Andrew Obrigewitsch](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1512627613p1/16087568.jpg)
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![Andrew Obrigewitsch](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1512627613p1/16087568.jpg)
![Markus](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1421952301p1/26681101.jpg)
I was a bit in doubt whether to give this one four or five stars, and I didn't really come to a decision, but I think I'l let it stand. Let's see what the others think :)
![Athena Shardbearer](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1546027968p1/4159427.jpg)
I was a bit in doubt whether to give this one four or five stars, and I didn't really come to a decision, but I think I'l let it stand. Let's see what the others think :)"
I think it's worth more than 4, even 4.5 is good but I really really enjoyed this one.
![Conor](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1400278909p1/30552336.jpg)
![Markus](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1421952301p1/26681101.jpg)
I was a bit in doubt whether to give this one four or five stars, and I didn't really come to a decision, but I think I'l let it stand. Let's see what the othe..."
I'm still not sure. Dammit, ratings are serious things, lol.
![Markus](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1421952301p1/26681101.jpg)
Thanks! I think you'd enjoy this one (feels like I've said that 538 times), so I'd definitely recommend it.
![Markus](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1421952301p1/26681101.jpg)
Thanks! I hope it will. It deserves it!
![Carmen](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1412617445p1/25353295.jpg)
One of those books I feel guilty about not having read yet. I definitely need to make some time for it.
Great review.
Great review.
![Markus](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1421952301p1/26681101.jpg)
Thank you! I found it on DeviantArt. Here: http://shrike67.deviantart.com/art/Ti...