The Hyperion Omnibus

Eines der Sci-Fi Klassiker schlechthin - wie ich im Nachwort erfahren habe

This volume contains the first duology of the Hyperion Cantos. You really do need to allocate time to read both (779 pages) because Hyperion by itself is not a satisfactory standalone (no sooner do the characters arrive at their destination than the book ends practically mid-sentence).

The first book is an interesting tale of seven travelers on their journey to the planet Hyperion. Along the way we get their backstories amidst some present-tense narrative. The seven characters are all very different from one another, some, like the crass and self-absorbed poet I was loath to occupy the same headspace, so I read those sections as quickly as I could. Others, like the war hero were more sympathetic at first but ventured into extreme situations that provided for most unpleasant imagery in the reader’s mind, i.e. fits of bloodlust on the battlefield and then having sex with his lover on the field of bloody carnage and body parts.

I was most engaged with professor Weintraub’s story involving reverse aging, despite leaning heavily upon paranormal dream connection and supernatural agency. In fact, there is a lot in the story that falls outside of reasonable scientific explanation, the how and why are baffling in book one, and only parenthetically explained in the second book. Thus, for most of the story we are left to ponder how creatures are regenerated upon a stone alter (how does the parasite manipulate matter – and this is the best solution an advanced sentience could come up with?); how, or why, the Time Tombs run backward in time (a super advanced civilization has to travel back in time to fix its problems?); how the Hawkins mat works (a high-tech flying carpet!); or how humanity was able to harness the farcaster singularities which allow instantaneous travel throughout the galaxy. Also have to laugh out loud at the pseudo-scientific gobbledygook such as the description of a carbon constructed Mobius cube containment field with a living, but non-sentient Erg inside: “a piezoelectric nervous system sheathed in silicon gristle” … able to “manipulate forcefields as large as those generated by small spinships.” Alrighty then.

So, the story is uneven based on the differing perspectives of the characters telling their tales. This first book is essentially just introducing us to the characters and doing some elaborate world building.

Book Two, the Fall of Hyperion, I actually enjoyed more, and if it wasn’t an essential part of a duology I’d probably give it five stars. Firstly, the pacing is faster and we get an interesting new character along with a clever narrative trick which allows us to follow present-tense action on two fronts. Of course this involves inexplicable science which goes beyond the farcaster singularities with an ability to reliably connect consciousness using dark energy as a medium for quantum entanglement across billions of neural networks. But what is lacking in clear science is made up for in literary and philosophical depth. I was also pleased to see a reference to Robinson Jeffers (Cawdor is one of my favorites); obviously, Mr. Simmons’ reading extends beyond just the science fiction genre. In the end, despite the quibbles and varying levels of engagement, this duology warrants a solid four star recommendation. I will be following up with the final two books soon!

Here’s my take, by the numbers, Book One “Hyperion” and Book Two “Fall of Hyperion”:
Story Concept:t5/5t5/5
Story Structure:t5/5t5/5
Writing Style:t 4/5t4/5
Characterization:t4/5t5/5
World Building:t5/5t5/5
Engagement:t 3/5 t5/5
Science:tt 3/5t3/5

Average Score:t4.14t4.57

Wahahauw. Mijn hoofd is te klein opdat een meesterwerk zo groot en vol stekelige ideeën erin zou passen na een eerste keer lezen. Hoewel Simmons een prachtige wereld vol paralelle verhaallijnen uit zijn mouw tovert, leest ie wel even zwaar als het verorberen van een dubbele portie kaasfondue.

Capolavoro assoluto della fantascienza.

Simmons riesce a creare un'opera dove, con una struttura molto intelligente, riesce a toccare tutti gli elementi tipici della fantascienza, inclusa la sfera del cyberpunk.
Il volume contiene i primi due libri de I Canti di Hyperion, in un'edizione (quella Mondadori) che personalmente non mi dispiace.
Consigliato.

Soaringly ambitious and incredibly accomplished. This far future space opera has a touch of everything: great ideas, beautiful planetscapes, exciting battles but also poetry and a deeply thoughtful theology that lifts the whole thing above the norm. Well deserving of its classic status.

Kann ich nicht empfehlen. Wirr und schwer zu lesen. Es gibt einen klaren roten Pfaden aber der ist versteckt unter einem Berg von Nebensächlichkeiten. Die Grund Idee ist aber trotzdem gut. Nur schlecht ausgeführt

Dan Simmon's four /Hyperion/ books. Excellent space-opera, with allusions to all kinds of literary genres and books, such as Keats or the Canterbury Tales.

It's years back since I read the books, but I remember thoroughly enjoying them.

Absolut großartig. Eigentlich kann man so ein Epos gar nicht in Worte fassen. Das Buch war ein Geschenk und ich hatte keine großen Erwartungen als ich angefangen habe. Nie hätte ich erwartet so eine komplexe Welt mit so einer komplexen Erzählstruktur zu erleben. Jede Seite war eine absolute Freude.