Simmons, Dan. Hyperion. New York: Bantam Books, 1989.
Reason read: January is National Science Fiction Month.
A group of seven individuals are recruited to embark on a pilgrimage. Each of the seven, a priest, poet, soldier, captain, detective, consul and scholar have a story to tell. All stories relate back to their interactions, direct and indirect, with a creature called the Shrike on the planet of Hyperion. Simmons does an okay job at making each storyteller’s voice unique but I feel that was the weakest element to Hyperion. In an attempt to make each voice different some characters are exaggerated and come across as dramatic caricatures while others blend ho hum into the woodwork.
The plot itself is convincing. Each pilgrim has something to accomplish on this journey to Hyperion and this first book is the foundation for subsequent sequels. The hook is, if you want to know more, you need to keep reading.
As an aside, even sci-fi stories have to have some element of familiarity and/or reality so that it’s relate-able to readers. Simmons includes warring New Order Shi-ites and Suni shopkeepers along with some Hegemony infidels.
No quotes. But, I can say this. The story of Rachel is the most intriguing, ansd she never says a word in the present day story.
Author fact: I have six Dan Simmons books on my list. Five are in the Hyperion series.
Book trivia: Hyperion is the first book in a series.
Nancy said: not much, just the basic plot.
BookLust Twist: from More Book Lust in the chapter called “Space Operas” (p 211).
~*LunaSea*~ 