The book is truly unusual for Simmons. It is marketed as science fiction, but in reality, it is not quite what one might expect. The astronauts in the story experience "phases of gravity" as they attempt to return to a normal life on earth. They have reached the infinite, and yet, the question remains: where do they go from here? The options seem limited to divorce, suicide, self-destruction, and alcoholism. The struggling astronaut encounters former comrades who are also trying to lead normal lives, but it seems like an impossible task. How does the astronaut find himself in this difficult situation?

The book ends in a rather mystical way, with humanity ascending to the stars in ways that they have not previously seen. It leaves the reader with a sense of wonder and speculation about what lies beyond. Overall, the book offers a unique perspective on the challenges faced by astronauts and the mysteries of the universe.

As a die-hard Dan Simmons fan, I am eager to devour everything that he publishes, regardless of its quality. Even the not-so-great works like "Flashback" have found their way into my reading list.

However, this particular little book is an absolute gem. It is simply wonderful and captivating from start to finish.

What makes it even more special is the context in which it is read today. With the space shuttle program now completed, a sense of nostalgia inevitably rises to the surface.

The book seems to transport the reader back to a time when space exploration was at its peak, filled with excitement and wonder.

It serves as a reminder of the great achievements and sacrifices that went into the space shuttle program, and the impact it had on our understanding of the universe.

Overall, this little book is a must-read for any fan of science fiction or space exploration, and a testament to Dan Simmons' talent as a writer.

Once upon a time, there was an astronaut who found himself in a rather perilous situation. He was far away from Earth, floating in the vastness of space. His sole desire was to make contact with his home planet once again. For days, he tirelessly worked on his communication equipment, trying every possible method.

He faced numerous setbacks and technical difficulties along the way. But he refused to give up. With unwavering determination, he continued to tinker and adjust.

Finally, after many attempts, he managed to get a signal through. The joy that filled his heart was indescribable. He had succeeded in making contact with Earth, and a sense of relief washed over him.

This interesting tale of the astronaut's perseverance and success serves as an inspiration to us all. It shows that with determination and hard work, anything is possible, even in the most challenging of circumstances.

Simmons is indeed one of my all-time favorite authors. However, I would only truly recommend this particular work if you have an insatiable desire to read everything he has ever written.

There are fleeting moments that hint at the brilliant writer he would later become, but they are just that - fleeting. Overall, the book progresses at an incredibly sluggish pace, and the opening section is even more lackluster.

It also contains some rather strange content that is characteristic of some of Simmons' works. There are semi-racist descriptions of India, which seem to be a continuation from his previous book, Song of Kali. Additionally, it features another male protagonist paired with a much younger woman, this time his son's ex-girlfriend, and the way this relationship is resolved is rather peculiar. It makes you reevaluate the love interest in Endymion.

Ultimately, I believe this would have been more effective as a short story or a shorter novella. There simply isn't a substantial enough story here, and our main character is not particularly interesting in himself. The book does come to life a bit with some of the side characters, such as Maggie (the love interest) and Dave (the astronaut), but otherwise, it can be quite bland.

Possibly my least favorite Simmons book, and looking back on my review of Hollow Man from 6 years ago, it seems they will be vying for that bottom spot. Interestingly, I had some of the same criticisms for that book as well. Neither of them would ever justify a reread, so any other similarities will likely be forgotten.

I’d give this six stars if I could.

This book is truly outstanding. It received a rating of six out of five, which is an indication of how easy and enjoyable it is to read. The author has a remarkable talent for writing, and every word in this book is carefully crafted to engage the reader. I initially read it on my Kindle, which was convenient, but I was so impressed that I decided to buy a printed copy for my next reading. The physical copy will allow me to fully appreciate the book's beauty and quality. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves reading and wants to be transported to another world through the power of words.

A very cool book indeed! It's about a former astronaut who is going through a midlife crisis, basically. However, there is so much more to this book than meets the eye. At first glance, it may seem like a simple story, but as you dig deeper, you'll discover its hidden depths. I truly wish it was wayyy longer, as I wanted to spend more time with the characters and explore the story further.

This book would have easily been 5 stars if we could have gone on a suspenseful and eerie journey with the main character, perhaps involving aliens, which is so typical in Dan Simmons' writing. Nevertheless, for an early novel by a tremendous writer, this is still a solid 4 stars. Most people tend to skip this book when talking about Dan Simmons, but it is a very introspective one that will make you think about your own life.

Highly recommend this book, especially since you probably haven't read it yet or it's been a long time since you last did. Give it a chance and you might be pleasantly surprised!

Excellent

I have read this book (in paperback, and unfortunately, I don't own it anymore) on several occasions. However, I stopped reading it more than 15 years ago. Despite the passage of time, a couple of things it said still lingered in my memory. Recently, something prompted me to seek it out again. I managed to read it in three sittings, and I was truly amazed by how well-written it was, just as I had remembered. It's not a science fiction story; rather, it offers a fascinating look into the life of an astronaut who has landed on the moon and returned. The book vividly describes how Richard Auerbacher (I'm not sure if the spelling is correct) lived his life in search of some form of guidance, and eventually, he finds it. It's a wonderful and engaging account that kept me hooked from start to finish.

Having delved into a considerable number of Simmon's works that came after this particular one, my anticipation was set on something distinct. I suppose I was hoping for a touch more of that science fiction essence. However, "Phases" turned out to be a bit more profound and perhaps more human in nature. It was truly an excellent read.

Moreover, it was a heck of a lot shorter than many of the other works in the collection. This brevity didn't detract from its quality but rather added a certain charm. It managed to convey its message and engage the reader in a relatively concise manner.

The story had its own unique allure, drawing the reader in and keeping them hooked until the very end. Despite not meeting my initial expectations in terms of being more overtly science fiction, it offered a different kind of satisfaction. It made me appreciate the diversity of Simmon's writing and the ability to explore various themes and tones within his body of work.

My father is an ardent fan of Dan Simmons. It was he who initially recommended that I read the Hyperion Cantos, which has since become one of my all-time favorite book series. This particular book, however, holds a special place in his heart. Now that I've read it, I can easily understand why. It delves into various themes such as astronauts, pilots, and father-son issues, hitting many of his soft spots.

This book is not sci-fi in the traditional sense. Instead, it centers around a fictional Apollo astronaut who had the remarkable experience of flying to and walking on the moon. Sadly, his life after this momentous event seems to have taken a downward spiral, leaving him trudging through life unhappily. His marriage has disintegrated, his son is estranged and following a new-age guru in India, and his job provides little satisfaction. The novel chronicles his journey as events unfold, leading him to turn his life around and discover new meaning.

I found this book enjoyable. I have a hunch that I will likely appreciate it even more and uncover deeper meaning as I progress through life. It taps into a common fear among the populace: "Has my life already peaked?" By examining this through the perspective of an Apollo astronaut, someone for whom it would be easy to point to their moonwalk and claim, "That is definitely your peak!" the book magnifies this fear. Despite the excellent writing, I do feel it succumbs to some clichés. For instance, the breakdown and the public speech that reveals too much truth, resulting in job loss, is one such example. Additionally, I thought the ending was perhaps a bit too neatly wrapped up. Don't misunderstand me; it's a nice ending, but it was so overly nice that it slightly disrupted my immersion in the story.

Kargia is good, but the author of Hyperion demands much more in this genre. Let's look at "terror".

Terror is a powerful and often disturbing emotion that can grip us in the face of the unknown or the threatening. It has the ability to send shivers down our spines and make our hearts race.

In the world of literature and art, terror has been explored in various ways. Authors and artists use different techniques to evoke this emotion in their audiences.

Some might use vivid descriptions of grotesque or terrifying scenes, while others might rely on psychological suspense to build a sense of unease.

The concept of terror can also vary from person to person, depending on their individual fears and experiences.

What one person finds terrifying, another might not be affected by at all.

Nevertheless, the exploration of terror continues to fascinate and engage us, as it allows us to confront our deepest fears and perhaps gain a better understanding of ourselves and the world around us.

The wonderful exploration of relationships is like embarking on a journey filled with mysteries and surprises. It delves into the complex web of emotions, connections, and interactions that define our human experience.

Moreover, it also takes into account the gravity exerted by life itself. The challenges, responsibilities, and joys that come with living life can have a profound impact on our relationships.

Living life to the fullest means not only experiencing the highs and lows but also understanding how these experiences shape our connections with others. It's about learning to adapt, forgive, and grow together.

This exploration of relationships and the gravity of life is a continuous process, one that enriches our lives and makes us more empathetic, understanding, and resilient individuals.

It allows us to see the beauty in the ordinary and find meaning in the simplest of interactions.

Ultimately, it is through this exploration that we can truly appreciate the depth and complexity of our relationships and the precious gift of life.

At the beginning, it had a slow start. I wasn't sure if I was going to like it. The pace seemed a bit sluggish and I wasn't fully engaged. However, as I continued to experience it, something changed. Gradually, I found myself getting more and more interested. The details that I initially overlooked started to stand out and capture my attention. Before I knew it, I was really enjoying it. It was like a hidden gem that I had to dig a little deeper to discover. The more I delved into it, the more I realized its true charm. In the end, I was glad that I didn't give up at the beginning. It goes to show that sometimes, things that start off slowly can turn out to be truly wonderful if we just give them a chance.