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Wil Wheaton's Reviews > Hyperion
Hyperion (Hyperion Cantos, #1)
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by
Wil Wheaton's review
bookshelves: sci-fi
Jun 02, 2009
bookshelves: sci-fi
Read 2 times. Last read September 13, 2019 to March 2, 2020.
** spoiler alert **
The updates I posted while reading this book pretty much capture how I felt the entire way, so rather than just rewrite them, I'll focus on my overall impression upon finishing Hyperion.
It's about the journey, it's not about the destination.
I was deeply disappointed that there was no resolution, once the pilgrims arrived at the Time Tombs, but I don't see how there could have been a satisfying resolution without adding at least another 100 pages to the book. So I just reminded myself that this book was about the journey, and not the destination.
I almost wish they'd left the entire Ouster/Spy/Galaxy-is-on-the-edge-of-Armageddon story out, and simply focused on the pilgrims and their story, letting their individual tales hint at the wider galaxy and its various conflicts. I guess the Consul's story wouldn't have been as meaningful without the greater understanding we got about the Hegemony and the Ousters, but if not knowing that meant not having this disappointing unresolved feeling that I have right now (I just finished the book a few minutes ago), I think it would have been a fair trade. If the whole thing is telling us about these people going to see The Shrike, fading out just before they do is like dropping Luke into the trench on the Death Star, and never letting us know what happens next.
I understand that much of the resolution I currently find lacking is provided in [Book: Fall of Hyperion], but every book, even those that are part of a series, should provide an entirely satisfying experience to someone who reads them in isolation of the other volumes. To that end, Hyperion succeeds, I think, even if it doesn't tell us what happens when they finally get to the Shrike (or if they even do) as long as we accept that it is about the journey, and not the destination.
I still loved it. I still thought it was a wonderfully-written novel that absolutely deserved the Hugo. I wish I could give it 3.5 stars, but thinking back on how much I enjoyed it while I was reading it (instead of how unresolved I feel at this moment) I'm bumping it up to 4.
It's about the journey, it's not about the destination.
I was deeply disappointed that there was no resolution, once the pilgrims arrived at the Time Tombs, but I don't see how there could have been a satisfying resolution without adding at least another 100 pages to the book. So I just reminded myself that this book was about the journey, and not the destination.
I almost wish they'd left the entire Ouster/Spy/Galaxy-is-on-the-edge-of-Armageddon story out, and simply focused on the pilgrims and their story, letting their individual tales hint at the wider galaxy and its various conflicts. I guess the Consul's story wouldn't have been as meaningful without the greater understanding we got about the Hegemony and the Ousters, but if not knowing that meant not having this disappointing unresolved feeling that I have right now (I just finished the book a few minutes ago), I think it would have been a fair trade. If the whole thing is telling us about these people going to see The Shrike, fading out just before they do is like dropping Luke into the trench on the Death Star, and never letting us know what happens next.
I understand that much of the resolution I currently find lacking is provided in [Book: Fall of Hyperion], but every book, even those that are part of a series, should provide an entirely satisfying experience to someone who reads them in isolation of the other volumes. To that end, Hyperion succeeds, I think, even if it doesn't tell us what happens when they finally get to the Shrike (or if they even do) as long as we accept that it is about the journey, and not the destination.
I still loved it. I still thought it was a wonderfully-written novel that absolutely deserved the Hugo. I wish I could give it 3.5 stars, but thinking back on how much I enjoyed it while I was reading it (instead of how unresolved I feel at this moment) I'm bumping it up to 4.
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Reading Progress
June 2, 2009
– Shelved
June 5, 2009
– Shelved as:
sci-fi
June 10, 2009
–
6.0%
"This starts so slowly, it's a real challenge to stick with it. I hear it's worth it, though, so I'm plodding along, a few pages a day."
page
30
June 14, 2009
–
16.8%
"Oh, I see what he's going for. This got compelling over the last 40 pages. Glad I stuck with it, even though it started out really slow."
page
84
June 20, 2009
–
26.2%
"Starting to know the characters, getting invested in their story and journey. Second story just began."
page
131
June 24, 2009
–
62.4%
"Made the mistake of reading Sol Weintraub's story in public. As a husband and father, it wrecked me. Love this book so much."
page
312
July 2, 2009
–
85.6%
"I don't know how he's going to wrap this up with under 100 pages left."
page
428
Started Reading
July 5, 2009
–
Finished Reading
September 13, 2019
–
Started Reading
September 13, 2019
–
21.4%
"Reading this for the second time, because I don't remember much about it other than the broad strokes."
page
107
September 30, 2019
–
35.6%
"So I may end up abandoning this re-read, because I'm not enjoying Hyperion NEARLY as much this time as I recall. It feels really slow and ponderous, and I just slogged through an entire chapter that was essentially military science fiction that in 2019 feels like a parody of men writing war fantasies.
I'll give it another 50 pages or 1 hour, and make a decision then."
page
178
I'll give it another 50 pages or 1 hour, and make a decision then."
March 2, 2020
–
35.6%
"I loved this the first time I read it. I picked it up again to reread, as I planned to go through the whole Hyperion canon this year.
But after about 175 pages and a little over two hours, it has not grabbed me, or held me, the way it did when I was a different person 15 years or so ago.
I still respect it, I'm still so glad I read it once before, but I'm abandoning the reread."
page
178
But after about 175 pages and a little over two hours, it has not grabbed me, or held me, the way it did when I was a different person 15 years or so ago.
I still respect it, I'm still so glad I read it once before, but I'm abandoning the reread."
March 2, 2020
–
Finished Reading
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Kevin
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Jun 15, 2009 08:04AM
I read this a couple of months ago (I cobbled together a "Top 100 Science Fiction Novels" list based on Hugo/Nebula/Review lists/etc and am working my way up to #1), and I highly recommend it. I do remember it starting slowly but then, bang! There's one tale in there that I found particularly moving. Hope you enjoy the rest of it!
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I have to agree. I started reading this book on the recommendation of a friend. It took me ages to get into it, but once I did, I found it extremely compelling. It began as a tough read that I plodded through because of a girl, but turned into (with its sequels) what I believe is/are my favourite book(s).
Kevin wrote: "I read this a couple of months ago (I cobbled together a "Top 100 Science Fiction Novels" list based on Hugo/Nebula/Review lists/etc and am working my way up to #1), and I highly recommend it. I d..."Have you shared this list somewhere yet? I would be interested in seeing it. I have thought about putting together a list like that myself, but have never gotten to it.
I haven't, but that's a nifty idea. Wonder if I can figure out all my sources again, but I guess that's not so important. I'll see what I can do, maybe put it on Goodreads somewhere?Sounds like Wil and I had pretty much the same reaction to the Weintraub tale (though my daughter is still a month away from being born!).
Hyperion is really just laying the foundation for the rest of the book series, much in the same way as fellowship does for LOTR.Though there is a dramatic change in how the author relates the story from book to book, a fun and at times annoying aspect.
It took me a while to get to the next in the series but when I did, it didn't stop until there was nothing more to read.
I think I had to digest all that information first, the wide range of ideas took some digesting.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, it's now that the good stuff happens ;)
I try to avoid series in general. When I do read the first book in a series, I often wait several months before reading the next because there are too many books and too little time to read. Hyperion is one of the few books that made me run out the day I finished it to get the next installment. (I did wait about 6 months before reading the Endymion books though.)As far as your recommendation that it's for "Fathers who are also SciFi fans", I think you should change that to "parents". I really think Sol's story was the most gripping in the book. In fact, when I got the sequel, I skipped through it just to find out what happened with Rachel. I just wanted to cry about their situation.
OK, here's my roughly assembled, VERY-non-scientific "Top 201 SF novels" list. I used Hugo Best Novel Awards, Nebula Best Novel Awards, a Locus poll, and two other website rankings lists which I cannot recall at the moment, sorry. For the lists that had numerical rankings, I gave the #1 ranked book a score of 50 or 100, depending, #2 got 49 or 99, etc. For Hugo and Nebula, I gave them each 75 pts (which feels a bit high now that I look back at it but whatever). Added them all up, got my totals, ranked 'em. Plus I've re-ranked them based on my personal opinions after reading. And I only started reading around #60 because #60 was around #50 before I revised the list with another rankings list. So #50 dropped to #60 so I started from there. Missed several books since my local libraries didn't carry them. Now I'm about to start #8. Getting there!http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?ke...
I've included my current "official" list, my personal rankings, and the working list I used to run the numbers.
That's a great list, Kevin. (Why 201?) I see a lot of my favorites and some I've never heard of.
Kudos on the list, Kevin.I've read a fair number (or at least think I remember reading them). But, of course, it only reminds one of the other 201 titles that could probably go on here :-)
Sandi wrote: "That's a great list, Kevin. (Why 201?) I see a lot of my favorites and some I've never heard of."Thanks guys! It's 201 because that's what I ended up with from putting the separate rankings together.
Gotta throw myself in and say "Thanks!" to Kevin for the list, nice work and thanks for sharing =)
I just finished reading this book. Better late then never. I agree on most parts but what is surprising to me is that you gave it a good rating and still never got to reading The Fall of Hyperion. Why is that?
I believe he wrote one book and the publisher made him split it into 2 parts, so this book ends right in the middle of the story. I highly recommend reading the second half.
Thanks for the list Kevin..bookmarked!
I did feel as though the Consul had been stringing them out, and sympathize with Will's regret that Too Much Information was involved. But after getting over the shock (I read it on a Kindle, which makes finding the end even more of a shock)I had to bow to the cleverness of the ending, an old song from childhood ironically appropriate to sing to a child under those circumstances, and described only by key words and phrases, as they march bravely to their Fate. Perhaps putting in a little step behind dance move...
👀👀Are you THE Wil Wheaton!!???😦
I enjoyed the cliff-hanger ending; it felt right, somehow. Of course, I was on Kindle and immediately moved on to book #2. I wasn't able to do that the first time through, many moons ago.
Gotta read the whole series. It's truly great.
Oh man, 5 stars all the way!
I owe it to myself. But first I will read "The terror"
I really loved Hyperion, but the sequels didnt equal the fantastic setup of this first book.
best book ever just like wil wheaton
Just finished it and I kind of had the same feeling but it was still good
You summed up my feelings exactly! I was hoping it would resolve and i wouldn't have to read the rest. I fear the Hyperion series is going to be like the Dune series, a great opener and then progressively worse as the series continues. We shall see I guess. I was a little disappointed you used a star wars reference instead of a star trek reference but other than that great review.
Recommend this book to Sheldon. He will do everything to find mistakes. Hahaha
Sincerely glad y'all liked it. To each their own. I thought it was one of the trashiest pulp novels I'd ever read, with a story that was simple S&M porn (not that there's anything wrong with that) and another essentially a statutory rape fantasy (uh, yeah, there's something wrong with that). It's been described as Canterbury Tales in Space, which befits the lack of originality. I would call it the worst, except that Mary Doria Russel's "The Sparrow" still holds that distinction.
