Hyperion by Dan Simmons

Book

reviewed in 2004

Dan Simmons creates a complex and nuanced view far into the future. Earth has long ago died and humankind has spread into the stars, encountering alien races and technologies through the centuries. As a backdrop to the six mini-novellas that comprise the heart of this novel the very fabric of the Federation is unraveling. Hostile forces from Earth's past and the artificial intelligences that control the means of transportation between planets have become increasingly ambivalent about the future of humanity. 

With Hyperion Simmons weaves six intricate tales of seven travelers making a pilgrimage to the to the time tombs on the planet Hyperion. There they will come face to face with the most terrifying monster ever created in science fiction, the Shrike.

Hyperion and it's sequel The Fall of Hyperion are masterpieces of science fiction storytelling. What a treat to encounter the far future universe Dan Simmons has created. What sets Hyperion apart from so very many sci-fi sagas are the characters. Far too many authors have great stories to tell but fail to develop anything but paper thin one-dimensional caricatures... Not so in the Hegemony of Man. The poet Martin Silenus is as prickly of a smart-ass as you'd ever meet in any timeline. Sol and Rachel's story is as touching as anything you'll ever read. I particularly liked the wit and humor of Ummon the AI personality of the TechnoCore.


Those who love hard core Sci-Fi will love this book and it's sequels, it just isn't done any better than this. Those whose Sci-Fi appetite is satisfied by R2D2 and Chewbacca may not have the patience for this.   

5 of 5 stars

CW