Dan Simmons is an extraordinary and incredibly original author.

Hyperion, for example, is one of the best science fiction books I have ever read. And he has a couple of outstanding horror books as well, like the almost unbearable Song of Kali.

This book, about a telepathic professor whose wife, also a telepath and with whom he has an extraordinary connection, is dying, is as original as many of his other books. However, the scientific chatter (which is not that much, or at least, not that convincing) detracts from the story instead of strengthening it. I don't know why he insists on giving a believable hue to the "scientific" explanation of the telepathic ability of his two heroes (three, actually...). I don't think it is necessary for the story.

Because in the end, it is rather a love story that reaches an unexpected level related to the way the mind creates personality and what that implies for the existence of this personality separately from its physical substrate. Indeed, the relationship between the professor and his wife is so deep, thanks to their extremely close telepathic connection, that it is not obvious then to draw the exact boundaries of each one's personality. When she dies (sorry, but it wasn't obvious?), that close, intimate proximity generates a strange consequence in the professor's mind.

The more philosophical aspects that the novel explores (what is consciousness, if consciousness can exist outside of its physical substrate and how it can do so, etc.) are very interesting, but again, I get the impression that they don't quite gel despite the originality of the proposal.

Still, it is recommendable.

If I could have the extraordinary ability to read other people's minds, my life would take on a completely different trajectory.

Long before the protagonist of "The Hollow Man" attempts it, I would have already delved into the world of poker, using my mind-reading skills to gain an unbeatable advantage.

Alternatively, I could envision myself as a soccer goalie in the highly competitive Premier League, effortlessly stopping every single penalty kick with pinpoint accuracy.

Or perhaps I would find myself on Wall Street, capitalizing on my knowledge and foresight of others' decisions to amass great wealth.

Unlike Jerry, who seems to wander aimlessly through life without a clear objective, I would make the most of this remarkable power.

When it comes to rating this work, it's a tough call between 3 and 4 stars. If the website allowed, it would be a solid 3 and a half.

In the end, the sheer quality of the writing is so outstanding that it more than compensates for any minor shortcomings in the story.

I truly admire Dan Simmons for his ability to make every sentence sparkle with brilliance.

This is the third book written by Dan Simmons that I've had the pleasure of reading.

Going into it, I didn't have high expectations considering the widely varying reviews. However, it appears that Simmons has a very divided audience. Some are not easily satisfied, while others seem to truly understand and appreciate his work.

I was completely astonished by the intensity of this book. "Hollow Man" is a deeply poignant love story - perhaps the best one I've ever encountered. Simmons masterfully combines horror, romance, and science fiction seamlessly, keeping the reader engaged from start to finish and leaving them craving more.

Although the book contains some sections with rather technical jargon, which might deter a few readers, this does not overshadow its many strengths.

All in all, it's a great book that will offer you a fresh perspective and make you think long after you've turned the last page.

The main protagonist, Jeremy, is a brilliant mathematician and, moreover, has telepathic abilities, just like his wife, Gail. Together, they share their thoughts, have set up a home, are trying for a child, and Jeremy is conducting an incredible research on human consciousness that reaches into sci-fi categories such as parallel dimensions with alternative developments of probabilities. This idyll is shattered when Gail falls ill with cancer. After her death, Jeremy flees from his previous life, but its flashes still keep returning to him. Along the way, he gets involved in completely crazy situations. The whole story is intertwined with the world of a deaf-blind boy who, in some mysterious way, could be the key for Jeremy to go elsewhere and meet Gail again.

This book is beautiful, terrifying, and painful all at the same time, just as Dan Simmons knows how to do... It takes the reader on a journey through a complex web of emotions and ideas, exploring themes of love, loss, and the unknown. The characters are vividly drawn, and the plot is full of twists and turns that keep the reader on the edge of their seat. Simmons' writing is masterful, creating a world that is both familiar and strange, captivating and disturbing. Overall, it is a must-read for fans of science fiction and literary fiction alike.

I am an enthusiastic admirer of Dan Simmons. I have a strong inclination to explore his rather extensive body of work, rather than simply obtaining the new publications as they are released. Consequently, I was filled with excitement when I discovered this particular book (imported from the USA) on the shelf of a local bookstore.

However, this review has been truncated in protest against Goodreads' censorship policy. It is truly disheartening to see such a policy in place, which restricts the freedom of expression and the sharing of honest opinions.

To view the complete review, please visit the following link: http://arbieroo.booklikes.com/post/67.... I hope that Goodreads will reevaluate their policy and allow for a more open and inclusive platform for book lovers to share their thoughts and reviews.

The beginning is excellent, the middle is tough and makes no sense with horror, trash, and thriller themes. However, it redeemed itself in the last few chapters. It is really well-written, so even those parts that were boring to me, which is why it got a four instead of a five. Overall, this book could be split into two. One that I would never read again and one that would be dear...

The author managed to create a captivating start that immediately grabs the reader's attention. But as the story progresses, it takes some strange turns that seem to lack a clear direction. The use of horror, trash, and thriller elements feels a bit forced and disjointed in the middle sections.

Fortunately, towards the end, the author manages to bring everything together and provide a satisfying conclusion. The writing style is engaging throughout, which makes it easy to overlook the flaws in the middle. Despite the shortcomings, this book still has its redeeming qualities and can be enjoyed by readers who are willing to overlook the less interesting parts.

In conclusion, while this book is not perfect, it does have its moments of brilliance. It would be interesting to see how the author could have developed the story differently to avoid the pitfalls in the middle. Nevertheless, it is still a worthwhile read for fans of the genre.

It is difficult to write a review about this book, which is so beloved by many and yet some cannot even get past its first few pages.

Yes, it is a slow book. It does not contain grand action scenes. But that is precisely not the strength of this book. We are dealing with a book that must be read carefully in order to understand well what it is about.

For those who are further away from the world of science, perhaps it can be a bit difficult to follow due to the inherent complexity of the topics it addresses. But for those who manage to get past the first pages and get hooked on the plot, it ends up being a gem. Personally, I don't understand how this work of the author is not more well-known yet.

When we talk about Dan Simmons, we are talking about an intelligent writer, and "The Hollow Man" is no exception.

Full review at: https://elavernoliterario.wordpress.c...

Hyperion is a good solid science fiction that delves into the concept of mind reading.

Written in the early 90's, it places a significant emphasis on chaos theory and complexity science. However, in my opinion, the author overdoes the actual presentation of the science and math portion. For instance, several equations are included that only those with a high level of mathematical knowledge would understand. I, for one, certainly didn't. At the time the book was written, I was very much into those subjects, yet I realize that I don't come across many of the terms used then, such as strange attractors. The general term complexity science doesn't seem to be a current topic. I suppose it has been superseded by machine learning, which I'll have to look into.

In any case, Hyperion was one of the best sci-fi series I've ever read. This book is interesting as many of the themes from Hyperion surface here, like the need to travel to find a solution while being hunted simultaneously. Additionally, some of the descriptions, such as a mouth with razor blades, are similar to those of characters in Hyperion.

This was the second book I’ve read by Dan Simmons. The first one was Song of Kali, and wow, what a truly strange and wild trip this latest one has been.

The dude is an incredibly amazing writer. The subject matter between these two books couldn’t be more different or further apart. So, I really had no idea what I was getting myself into.

This book is sort of a strange science fiction themed telepathic love story. It’s quite hard for me to compare it with the works of anyone else. However, I did sense a bit of Stephen King inspiration within the story.

The characters in this book were really great. Although, there was some really weird side-story madness going on, and it was a little bit too heavy on the technobabble.

Nonetheless, I still really enjoyed it a lot. And I simply can’t wait to keep making my way through Simmons’ extensive bibliography, eager to discover more of his unique and captivating stories.

The Hollow Man seems to be a book that is confused about its own identity. Is it a philosophical exploration delving into the quantum physics of consciousness? Or perhaps a harrowing account of a descent into madness? Maybe it's supposed to be a tragic love story or an allegorical tale of suffering and redemption. Could it even be a slasher novel? Sadly, Dan Simmons attempted to stuff all of these elements into a single narrative. The result is a novel that is distracted, unfocused, and a frenetic mess.

The basic premise has its moments of engagement. A telepathic quantum physicist struggles to control the onslaught of others' thoughts. When he loses the love of his life, who is also a mind reader, he completely falls apart. (It's important to note that this isn't really a spoiler as the lover's death occurs in the first chapter.) Our somewhat hero then disintegrates far too quickly and completely. He commits unlikely acts of mayhem at home and then embarks on a series of increasingly outlandish misadventures, including some gratuitously gory scenes straight out of a bad horror movie. A pathetic and, once again, unnecessarily disgusting side story is shoehorned into the middle of the action to provide a more or less happy (albeit painfully forced) ending.

I have enjoyed other works by Simmons, especially the Hyperion series. That's probably what made me persevere with this hodgepodge of oddities until the bitter and quite drawn-out end. Don't bother opening Schroedinger's box on this one; this cat is dead on arrival.

I'm not entirely sure whether I love it or hate it.

There are moments when it seems to bring a certain sense of excitement and joy, making me feel alive and engaged. But then there are also times when it frustrates me to no end, causing me to question its value and wonder if it's really worth all the effort.

Maybe it's a bit of both. Maybe the love and hate are intertwined, creating a complex web of emotions that I can't quite untangle.

On one hand, it has the power to inspire and motivate me, pushing me to reach for something greater. On the other hand, it can be a source of stress and anxiety, making me feel overwhelmed and unsure of myself.

In the end, I guess only time will tell if my feelings towards it will tip more towards love or hate. For now, I'll just have to ride the wave and see where it takes me.

The Hollow Man is a novel that, essentially, has only one redeeming quality. That is the quick reference it makes to a far superior novel, Alfred Bester's The Stars My Destination.

I am a passionate fan of Dan Simmons. However, this particular novel is probably the worst among his works. I was really excited to read it, especially since the content seemed similar (as per the description) to Robert Silverberg's Dying Inside. But, The Hollow Man jumps around erratically. While Dying Inside presents a relatively continuous descent into a terrible depression, The Hollow Man attempts to dabble in various genres, fails miserably, and then concludes on a strange and rather unsatisfactory note.

I understand what Simmons was trying to do, but the end result is not great. There is definitely a reason why it took me such a long time to get through this book. It lacks the coherence and depth that his other works usually possess.