Review of "Ilion" and "Olympus" by Dan Simmons:

I embarked on the adventure of reading "Ilion" and "Olympus" by Dan Simmons, and what a journey it was. These books are a crazy mix of science fiction and Greek mythology, with a whole bunch of twists that leave you thinking. We have post-humans who believe they are gods of Olympus, humans who are reliving the Trojan War without having any idea how it ends, and half-human robots called moravecs who are investigating quantum rolls on Mars.

The world that Simmons paints is the strangest: Earth has become a place where you live your "twenties" and then, supposedly, you go to heaven. And I can't forget the voyniks, those beings who start as assistants and end up wanting to destroy everything. It's madness.

Among all this salad, we have Thomas Hockenberry, a guy who knows a lot about ancient Greece and who finds himself in the middle of the mess of Troy. And of course, there can't be a lack of artificial intelligences that think they are smarter than everyone and end up messing things up.

Simmons pulls out of his sleeve things like aliens who communicate in a way that literally breaks your heart, and submarines with missiles with black hole warheads. Although it may sound like a hodgepodge, somehow it keeps you hooked and makes you want more.

As someone who has been reading science fiction for years, I tell you that although "Ilion" and "Olympus" can be a bit of a puzzle and the ending leaves you a bit like "eh?", in reality they are great. Dan Simmons has a way of telling stories that traps you, and although everything may seem like chaos, in the end it leaves you wanting more. It's as if a Greek storyteller had decided to write sci-fi. In summary, if you like science fiction with a touch of classic madness, these books are pure gold. End

Lord Mondador's imprint has also touched this two-volume original language saga, which naturally became four in Italian.

So, this is the first half of the first English book and no, the latter was not suitable to be divided into two pieces. The same happened with the "Hyperion Cantos" saga (Hyperion, The Fall of Hyperion, Endymion, The Rise of Endymion).

I am helped by the summary present in the subsequent Italian volume to tell you what this is about. There are some important revelations, but I don't think they can ruin the reading. If you don't want to take risks, resume reading after the only occurrence of the word "batracomiomachia" (no, a link would have been too easy!).

Thomas Hockenberry, a 21st-century university professor specialized in the works of Homer, has been brought back to life to perform, with other colleagues from various eras, a very strange task: to ensure that the Trojan War unfolds as narrated in the Iliad. Those who brought him back to life (but only with vague memories of his previous life) were the "gods" of ancient Greece, endowed with the most modern technologies, who, although intervening in the war, ignore (except, it seems, for Zeus) how it will end.

Among the gods, there are various factions and Hockenberry receives from the Muse in the service of Aphrodite two devices, the Helm of Hades that confers invisibility upon him and a medallion that allows him to teleport, in order to carry out the task of spying on the other gods and, at the opportune moment, kill Athena.

In the future of Thomas Hockenberry, Earth has been reduced to a planet inhabited by only one million individuals who spend their time having fun and following the story of the "lino", a device that makes them witness the Trojan War as if it were a television soap opera. Everyone lives for five Ventines, exactly one hundred years, "faxing" from one to another of the remaining cities, in an existence without difficulties, forgetting any element of science, history or technology. Then, according to their belief, they ascend to the orbital rings, a sort of afterlife where the "hospital" is located, a kind of repair shop in case of even mortal accidents.

Harman (the only one still able to read, having reached the ninety-ninth year of age and thus about to ascend to the rings), Daeman (who collects butterflies and seductions), Hannah (who has rediscovered the art of melting metals) and Ada (a young lady of Villa Ardis) set out to search for a spaceship to reach the rings; during the search, they encounter Savi, called the Wandering Jew, and then Odysseus (who neither denies nor confirms being the one from the story of the lino, that is, the same Odysseus of the Iliad).

Meanwhile, on the satellites of Jupiter, the "moravec", robots capable of evolving, created by humans before a pandemic made Earth semi-uninhabited, detect an increase in quantum activity that threatens to destroy the solar system; at the same time, they surprisingly discover that Mars has been "terraformed" within a century. They therefore decide to investigate and send an expedition to Mars, of which Mahnmut of Europa (a scholar of Shakespeare's sonnets) and Orphu of Io (a Proust enthusiast) are part.

Just as they are in orbit around the Red Planet, the moravec's spaceship is intercepted and destroyed by a flying chariot pulled by horses and driven by a creature that seems an ancient god; Mahnmut and Orphu save themselves and land on the planet to deposit there the Device that should neutralize the quantum activity of the mysterious creatures that have terraformed Mars. From some traces, it seems that Mars is inhabited by strange beings with the form and powers of the ancient Greek gods.

Meanwhile, Thomas Hockenberry falls in love with Helen and devises a plan to change the outcome of the Trojan War: he wants to make it so that the Achaeans and Trojans stop fighting each other for the amusement of the gods, but turn against them and even attack Olympus.

"Batracomiomachia"!

I find it too early to judge this saga precisely because it was not the author's intention that the first book be arbitrarily truncated in half, effectively interrupting the three narrative threads. This, of course, only makes it impossible to understand any point of the plot.

What I can say is that this is a science fiction novel that makes extensive use of technological elements: just think that the Greek gods use nanotechnologies to enhance their human protégés. In some passages, some descriptions are too long and may not be to the liking of those who do not like hard science fiction. However, the combination of elements belonging, in our History, to extremely diverse eras is pleasant and intriguing and shows how much fantasy and courage the author has in trying to achieve a certain credibility in presenting encounters between really improbable cultures.

As for the characters, they do not have a great depth and generally seem rather comical, including the gods, who inspire more fear for their names than for anything else. It remains to be seen how things will unfold and if the tone will become more serious now that the equilibria are supposed to break.

I defer further comments to the review of the second part.

(The review is also available at http://www.jhack.it/blog/2013/05/01/i...)

This first part of a first part (in the original edition Ilión is only a novel) is an introduction to a futuristic revision of Homer's Iliad.

Three seemingly unconnected stories introduce you to a future world where humanity has undergone a great social transformation and where machines exist as thinking and feeling beings.

The future world has its own vocabulary that at times is so strange that it makes it a bit difficult to enter the stories told in this novel. However, once familiarized with it, the pages seem to read themselves.

Each chapter delves only into one of the three stories: a strategy that is overused to hook the reader, which, at least for me, still works.

This approach keeps the reader engaged as they try to piece together the bigger picture and understand the connections between the different storylines.

It also allows for a more in-depth exploration of each individual story, giving the reader a chance to really get to know the characters and their motives.

Overall, this first part sets the stage for an exciting and thought-provoking journey into a future that is both familiar and strange.

In a future Mars, the siege of Troy is reinvented. Achilles is immersed in nanotechnology. The Olympic gods have quantum teleportation. Organic robots engage in dialogues about Shakespeare or Proust. Humanity is reduced to simple and innocent Eloi, just as Wells predicted over a hundred years ago. And in the middle, there is Dr. Hockenberry, an expert in the Iliad, resurrected from his elemental molecules. He must observe and note every fact to inform Zeus of even the slightest deviation from the events narrated by Homer.

This new setting combines elements of ancient mythology with advanced technology, creating a captivating and thought-provoking scenario. The presence of nanotechnology and quantum teleportation adds a sense of modernity and wonder, while the reduction of humanity to the Eloi raises questions about the future of our species. Dr. Hockenberry's role as an observer and informant adds an interesting layer of complexity, as he is tasked with ensuring that the events unfold according to the ancient narrative. Overall, this reinvention of the siege of Troy on Mars offers a unique and exciting perspective on an age-old story.

Under the guidance of Dan Simmons, we have one of the most exciting space operas that I have read so far. In it, we encounter the immortal work of Homer, "The Iliad", but this time in the key of science fiction.

Dan Simmons has masterfully taken the classic tale of "The Iliad" and reimagined it in a futuristic and interstellar setting. The story unfolds with all the drama, action, and conflict that made the original so captivating.

We follow the adventures of the characters as they navigate the vastness of space, facing off against powerful enemies and grappling with the complex moral and ethical issues that arise in such a setting. The author's vivid descriptions and detailed world-building bring this new version of "The Iliad" to life, making it a truly immersive and engaging read.

Whether you are a fan of science fiction or of classic literature, this space opera is sure to delight and entertain. It offers a unique and fresh perspective on a timeless story, and is a must-read for anyone looking for an exciting and thought-provoking adventure.

First of all, I have to say that I have read this book in the two-volume version, and therefore I have only read this first part.

The story of each of the three plots seems very original and fresh to me. But if I had to choose one, it would undoubtedly be the one that refers to Homer's Iliad.

That mixture of the Trojan War, posthuman Greek gods, and that touch of science fiction has seemed like a real madness to me. I wish the whole book was about that XD

The uncertainty of not knowing where the shots are going, although I have a hypothesis in my head, helps one to get hooked on this reading.

The book is very well written, and only the irregularity of the other two plots, a bit slower and perhaps with a greater need for time to mature, prevent me from giving it 5 stars for now. Maybe when I read the second part, things will change.

It is a highly recommended reading for anyone who likes good science fiction.

As always, I leave you the link to my blog in case you want to read the more complete review that I have posted there.

http://fantasiascifiymuchomas.blogspo...

Me encantaaaaaa.

This simple expression holds a world of meaning. It is a statement of pure delight and passion. When I say "Me encantaaaaaa," it means that something has truly captured my heart and filled me with joy.

It could be a beautiful sunset that takes my breath away, a delicious meal that tantalizes my taste buds, or a wonderful book that transports me to another world.

Whatever it is, it has the power to make me forget about all my worries and simply enjoy the moment.

"Me encantaaaaaa" is a celebration of life's simple pleasures and a reminder to appreciate the beauty and wonder that surrounds us every day.

It is a phrase that can bring a smile to my face and a warmth to my heart, no matter what the circumstances.

So, the next time you experience something that makes you feel "Me encantaaaaaa," take a moment to savor it and let the joy wash over you.

Because in those moments of pure delight, we truly experience the magic of life.

Excelente!

The Iliad has been revisited with thousands of additional things. It is truly fascinating.

To see my post regarding this, please visit:

http://arellanos.blogspot.com/2008/01...

This rediscovery of The Iliad offers a fresh perspective and uncovers a wealth of new details and interpretations.

It allows readers to explore the epic in a whole new light and gain a deeper understanding of its significance.

The addition of these thousands of extra elements enriches the reading experience and makes it even more engaging.

Whether you are a long-time fan of The Iliad or new to this classic work, this revisitation is sure to captivate and inspire.

Don't miss out on the opportunity to explore this fascinating new take on The Iliad.

Visit the provided link and discover the wonders that await.

Excelente


This is an excelente piece of work. The narration is truly outstanding, with a masterful combination of the Iliada and the account of history. There are no wasted words or details. It is a delicious read that keeps you engaged from start to finish. It is highly recommended for all lovers of good literature. Whether you are a fan of ancient epics or simply enjoy a well-told story, this work is sure to please. The author has done a remarkable job of bringing these two elements together in a seamless and captivating way. You will find yourself immersed in the world of the Iliada and the historical events that surround it. So, if you are looking for a great read, look no further than this excelente piece of literature.

REssenya en català:

http://www.elkraken.com/R-Ilion.htm

This is a link in Catalan that leads to a specific page on the website elkraken.com. It might contain some interesting information or content related to a particular topic, perhaps a review, an article, or some other form of media.

Reseña en castellano:

http://www.elkraken.com/Esp/R-ilion-e...

Similarly, this is a link in Spanish that directs to another page on the same website. The content on this page could also be a review or something else relevant. It's interesting to note that the website seems to have different versions of the same or related content in different languages, which can be beneficial for reaching a wider audience. Whether one is interested in the Catalan or Spanish version, these links provide access to potentially valuable information.

Excelente por ahora!

This simple phrase holds a world of meaning. It implies that things are going extremely well at the present moment.

It could refer to a wide range of situations, such as a project that is progressing smoothly, a relationship that is in a great state, or a personal achievement that has brought a sense of satisfaction.

When we say "Excelente por ahora," we are acknowledging the positive circumstances and enjoying the moment.

However, it also leaves room for the future. It suggests that while things are excellent now, there is always the possibility of change.

We should cherish the good times and use them as a foundation for continued success.

At the same time, we should be prepared for any challenges that may come our way.

In conclusion, "Excelente por ahora" is a phrase that encapsulates the essence of living in the present and looking forward to the future with hope and optimism.

La Iliada, that magnificent epic, stands as a cornerstone of Western literature. Then there's Shakespeare, the literary giant whose works have endured through the ages.

Imagine a colonia established on the moons of Júpiter, a place of mystery and wonder. Meanwhile, on Marte, the Guerra de Troya unfolds in a whole new and unexpected way.

We enter a world of post-humanos, beings who have evolved beyond our current understanding. And within this strange and captivating universe, a historia takes shape that challenges some of my wildest dreams while incorporating some of my most beloved literary stories.

It's a fascinating blend of the ancient and the futuristic, of myth and science fiction, all coming together to create a narrative that is both thrilling and thought-provoking.

As I envision this world, I can't help but be drawn in by the possibilities and the endless adventures that await. It's a place where anything can happen, and where the boundaries of imagination are constantly being pushed.

Who knows what other wonders and surprises this unique combination of elements will bring? Only time will tell as this historia continues to unfold.