Need Advice - Is Hyperion Really That Good?

DixieGal · 05-28-2009, 09:58 AM

I read book 1 back in the 80's or whenever it first came out. In my mind, I remember it as being horrible. However, many people here have mentioned reading the whole series, and when I went to whatshouldireadnext.com, typed in A Fire Upon the Deep, it listed Hyperion as something I might enjoy.

This is the one with the wheel of fortune which judges life or death, right?

You guys know I like hard scifi but not fantasy. No dragons or vampires, please.

DO YOU THINK I SHOULD GIVE HYPERION ANOTHER LOOK?

DixieGal · 05-28-2009, 10:42 AM

Anybody?

kaas · 05-28-2009, 10:58 AM

I have read and enjoyed Hyperion and Endymion. I think that Dan Simmons is quite an acomplished writer, but a lot is lost in his books if you do not know your mythology/ history ...

Definetely try it- he paints a fascinating world

cheers,

kaas

tompe · 05-28-2009, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaas

I have read and enjoyed Hyperion and Endymion. I think that Dan Simmons is quite an acomplished writer, but a lot is lost in his books if you do not know your mythology/ history ...

Notice that _Hyperion_ and _The Fall of Hyperion_ is really one book. I liked it a lot but I did not continued with more books in the series.

poohbear_nc · 05-28-2009, 11:01 AM

It seems people either love or hate Dan Simmons - I've read several of his books and enjoyed them - my only complaint is that they tend to drag on at the end - but Hyperion is worth a second look (IMHO).

wallcraft · 05-28-2009, 11:08 AM

There have been two recent threads/posts on Hyperion at tor.com, both by Jo Walton, Is the right book winning the Hugo? and Better to travel hopefully: Dan Simmons’s Hyperion. Hyperion won the Hugo in 1990, and Jo concludes that it was the best novel of that year. She also concludes that

Quote:

The reading order for the Hyperion series is “Read Hyperion and then stop.” But Hyperion itself is well worth reading and re-reading. It’s undoubtedly a masterpiece.

Others agree with tompe that Fall of Hyperion rounds out the storyline.

DixieGal · 05-28-2009, 11:33 AM

All right, I'll get all three. (Stocking upon ebooks before going on "vacation" to the piney woods of Young Harris, GA, next week.)

Is the reading order Hyperion, Endymion, and Fall of Hyperion?

BenG · 05-28-2009, 11:33 AM

If you hated the first book, you will probably hate the second book. But people's taste change over time so you have to take that into account.

Even if you like the two original books there's no guarantee that you will like the two Endymion books. I know I didn't.

BenG · 05-28-2009, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DixieGal

Is the reading order Hyperion, Endymion, and Fall of Hyperion?

There are four books:
Hyperion (1989)
The Fall of Hyperion (1990)
Endymion (1996)
The Rise of Endymion (1997)

DixieGal · 05-28-2009, 11:58 AM

The reason I am reconsidering them is because I loved Simmons' Ilium and Olympos so much. So when the suggestion surfaced again, it sort of sparked my interest.

NEXT QUESTION: Why didn't you guys tell me the books are not available in e-format?

I've been searching the usual bookstores, but if there is a link (NOT KINDLE), I would appreciate it.

BlackVoid · 05-28-2009, 03:38 PM

I found the Hyperion cycle slow and torturous. I skipped some parts in the 1st book and gave up 1/3 way through the 2nd.

I would not order all of the books at once. Try one and see it if you like it or not.

If I want something slower paced but really deep, Gene Wolfe and David Zindell are my choices.

DixieGal · 05-28-2009, 03:43 PM

Any specific titles you would recommend?

Penforhire · 05-28-2009, 05:40 PM

I enjoyed Hyperion and Endymion but would not compare them to A Fire Upon the Deep. They are a little, um, ponderous and vague. I like Ilium & Olympos much more myself.

I recommend a look-see at Richard Morgan (Altered Carbon, Thirteen, Market Forces).

Andybaby · 05-28-2009, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DixieGal

The reason I am reconsidering them is because I loved Simmons' Ilium and Olympos so much. So when the suggestion surfaced again, it sort of sparked my interest.

NEXT QUESTION: Why didn't you guys tell me the books are not available in e-format?

I've been searching the usual bookstores, but if there is a link (NOT KINDLE), I would appreciate it.

yeah I know right, after reading a bunch of positive reviews about it I went to look for it.

and the bad boys copy is chucker block full of ocr errors and my local library branches don't have it.

JSWolf · 05-28-2009, 10:49 PM

Who has Hyperion in eBook form? I've not been able to find it.

05-28-2009, 09:58 AM	#1
DixieGal Hi There! Posts: 7,473 Karma: 2930523 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ft Lauderdale Device: iPad	Need Advice - Is Hyperion Really That Good? I read book 1 back in the 80's or whenever it first came out. In my mind, I remember it as being horrible. However, many people here have mentioned reading the whole series, and when I went to whatshouldireadnext.com, typed in A Fire Upon the Deep, it listed Hyperion as something I might enjoy. This is the one with the wheel of fortune which judges life or death, right? You guys know I like hard scifi but not fantasy. No dragons or vampires, please. DO YOU THINK I SHOULD GIVE HYPERION ANOTHER LOOK?

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05-28-2009, 10:42 AM	#2
DixieGal Hi There! Posts: 7,473 Karma: 2930523 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ft Lauderdale Device: iPad	Anybody?

05-28-2009, 10:58 AM	#3
kaas Muncher of ebooks Posts: 312 Karma: 6423 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Fürth, Germany Device: Pocketbook 360	I have read and enjoyed Hyperion and Endymion. I think that Dan Simmons is quite an acomplished writer, but a lot is lost in his books if you do not know your mythology/ history ... Definetely try it- he paints a fascinating world cheers, kaas

05-28-2009, 11:01 AM	#5
poohbear_nc Now what? Posts: 58,796 Karma: 135181808 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Durham, NC Device: Every Kindle Ever Made & To Be Made!	It seems people either love or hate Dan Simmons - I've read several of his books and enjoyed them - my only complaint is that they tend to drag on at the end - but Hyperion is worth a second look (IMHO).

05-28-2009, 11:33 AM	#7
DixieGal Hi There! Posts: 7,473 Karma: 2930523 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ft Lauderdale Device: iPad	All right, I'll get all three. (Stocking upon ebooks before going on "vacation" to the piney woods of Young Harris, GA, next week.) Is the reading order Hyperion, Endymion, and Fall of Hyperion?

05-28-2009, 11:33 AM	#8
BenG Home Guard Posts: 4,729 Karma: 86721650 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Alpha Ralpha Boulevard Device: Kindle Oasis 3G, iPhone 6	If you hated the first book, you will probably hate the second book. But people's taste change over time so you have to take that into account. Even if you like the two original books there's no guarantee that you will like the two Endymion books. I know I didn't.

05-28-2009, 11:58 AM	#10
DixieGal Hi There! Posts: 7,473 Karma: 2930523 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ft Lauderdale Device: iPad	The reason I am reconsidering them is because I loved Simmons' Ilium and Olympos so much. So when the suggestion surfaced again, it sort of sparked my interest. NEXT QUESTION: Why didn't you guys tell me the books are not available in e-format? I've been searching the usual bookstores, but if there is a link (NOT KINDLE), I would appreciate it.

05-28-2009, 03:38 PM	#11
BlackVoid Evangelist Posts: 415 Karma: 510423 Join Date: Nov 2006 Device: Sony PRS-505	I found the Hyperion cycle slow and torturous. I skipped some parts in the 1st book and gave up 1/3 way through the 2nd. I would not order all of the books at once. Try one and see it if you like it or not. If I want something slower paced but really deep, Gene Wolfe and David Zindell are my choices.

05-28-2009, 03:43 PM	#12
DixieGal Hi There! Posts: 7,473 Karma: 2930523 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ft Lauderdale Device: iPad	Any specific titles you would recommend?

05-28-2009, 05:40 PM	#13
Penforhire Wizard Posts: 2,230 Karma: 7145404 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern California Device: Kindle Voyage & iPhone 7+	I enjoyed Hyperion and Endymion but would not compare them to A Fire Upon the Deep. They are a little, um, ponderous and vague. I like Ilium & Olympos much more myself. I recommend a look-see at Richard Morgan (Altered Carbon, Thirteen, Market Forces).

05-28-2009, 10:49 PM	#15
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,887 Karma: 128597114 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Who has Hyperion in eBook form? I've not been able to find it.