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Endymion  By  cover art

Endymion

By: Dan Simmons
Narrated by: Victor Bevine
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Publisher's summary

The multiple-award-winning science-fiction master returns to the universe that is his greatest triumph - the world of Hyperion and The Fall ofHyperion - with a novel even more magnificent than its predecessors.

Dan Simmons's Hyperion was an immediate sensation on its first publication in 1989. This staggering multifaceted tale of the far future heralded the conquest of the science-fiction field by a man who had already won the World Fantasy Award for his first novel (Song of Kali) and had also published one of the most well-received horror novels in the field, Carrion Comfort. Hyperion went on to win the Hugo Award as Best Novel, and it and its companion volume, The Fall of Hyperion, took their rightful places in the science-fiction pantheon of new classics.

Here, Simmons returns to this richly imagined world of technological achievement, excitement, wonder and fear. Endymion is a story about love and memory, triumph and terror - an instant candidate for the field's highest honors.

©1995 Dan Simmons (P)2009 Audible, Inc.

Featured Article: 12 of the Best Sci-Fi Series in Audio


From the furthest reaches of space to the microbiology of pandemics and gene manipulation, to the future implications of technology for societies similar to our own, science fiction is a fascinating genre that offers listeners a wide variety of ways to access its themes. In looking for the best sci-fi audiobook series, it can be difficult to know where to start due to the genre's sheer number of iterations and variations. But what these series have in common is an acute devotion to telling a good story, as well as fully building out the worlds therein. The writing is enhanced by the creative and impassioned narration.

What listeners say about Endymion

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Worthy addition to the Hyperion saga!

An excellent 3rd installment from Simmons. Well worth a listen. Anyone who was a fan of Hyperion should really finish the series to fully appreciate each book within the series. Once again, truly excellent narration by Victor Bevine. Highly recommend!

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14 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

Simple in comparision.

The Hyperion books were more... philosophically complex and interwoven, a LOT of it YOU had to figure out for yourself. Clues were slowly released and layers woven beautifully into one whole. It was the very act of discovery that made the books so VERY nice. This book is more of a straightforward adventure story. All of the complex philosophical stuff is laid out in an easy to understand and easy to follow format. Unfortunately the revelations are just that: obvious and straight up (or at least comparitively speaking). It feels like the author's head is in a different space here.

It's funny but there are a lot more groups and a lot more political intrigue and a lot more characters and a lot more scenery and a lot more.... of everything....BUT the book feels smaller somehow.

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13 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

The Third Book in the Series is a Great Storyline

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This is simply one of the best Sci Fi series I have every read. The entire storyline is well plotted out as opposed to other series that just seem to be after thoughts. I would recommend this book (and the series in general) to anyone who wants to get lost in a story that is riveting and colorful.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I like Raul. At times he is a bit of a doofus, but he has a good heart and is tenacious in his quest.

Which character – as performed by Victor Bevine – was your favorite?

His characterization of the Android is great. Victor does a fanastic job in all the previous books and I am glad he is the narrator on the entire series. I will miss him when it is over.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

The galaxy isnt big enough for the both of them!

Any additional comments?

Like the other books devout Christians should be warned that the basic premise of this series is to dissect relgion, power, myth and influence. If you can suspend your disbelief this is a rewarding and provactive story. Regardless, Simmons takes his time and paints a landscape that will draw you in and make you feel like you are living in this galaxy. Not only is it enjoyable but it is dark enough to make you feel on edge and wondering what is going to happen next. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Read Them All, Beginning with Hyperion

Why pay more to listen to 10 hour books when you can listen to some of the best science fiction for twice as long and completely become emersed into a new world and become friends with some of the most interesting characters in fiction.

Science Fiction at it's best I feel, From the first book to the last! These books do not stand alone. Hyperion is a Space Opera of epic proportions, so be prepared to enjoy.

Oh, and if you like easy reading, dislike stories that require you to think deep thoughts, then this is not for you. This is for the creative mind, the thinking mind, and for the true Science Fiction fan.

I've one book left to read and I'm out of credits for the month. For the first time I'm considering paying above my monthly membership credits rather then wait for next month's credits.

Now that's saying something!

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Should really be 5 stars

I've read (with my eyes) Hyperion and Fall of Hyperion. I listened to Endymion and I must say it was a pleasure to do so. Great naration, great story. Captivating all the way.

I've listened to many audiobooks, and this one ranks in the top 10.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Narration brings it to life.

I read this book a couple years ago. Maybe it was because I hadn't read the first two in the series -- though the novel is supposed to stand on its own -- but I never really followed the story, despite pressing though the dead-tree version. Had I not so thoroughly enjoyed books one and two I may never have revisited this incredible story. I'm glad I did. And the narration gives it a depth that brings the story to life.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Shrikefinn? Heart of Shrikeness? Mr Keats--He dead

"If there is a God, I thought, it’s a painkiller"
- Dan Simmons, Endymion

Enjoyed it, just not as much as Hyperion and The Fall of Hyperion. This is the equivalent of the Return of the Jedi for me. Still buzzing from the first two, but not as good as the first two either. There are certain parts I enjoyed and somethings that just seemed a bit overdone.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

More riveting that the prequels

This book was more interesting and captivating than the prequels. I was drawn in more by the characters to point of feeling involved with them.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Getting the series back on track...

If you could sum up Endymion in three words, what would they be?

Wow, three words... Whoops! Already exceeded my quota...

Here goes:
Adventure, Intrigue, Characterization

What was one of the most memorable moments of Endymion?

Really, this is a story about the characters. The events, while interesting, take a back seat to the characters and the relationships formed. I loved the adventurous nature of this novel. But the memorable moments will be the forming of relationships between Endymion and Aenea (and Bettik as well). The journey of the trio down the river on their home made raft will always stick in my mind due to the conversations and interactions that occur between the trio.

Which character – as performed by Victor Bevine – was your favorite?

Raul Endymion, although Bettik was a close second.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I'd say yes. I don't have the time that it would take to do so, but ultimately, I wanted to keep listening each and every time I turned it on. (well, there may have been a few slow parts here and there, but for the most part I always wanted to listen to more)

Any additional comments?

This is a completely different kind of book from the two earlier Hyperion books. And, the stakes never seem quite as epic as in those earlier books. But the more personal nature of this book really lent itself well to the situation. You still sense that the ultimate outcome of humanity is in the balance, but it's really a lot more personal than either Hyperion or Fall of Hyperion. (Note: Hyperion is still the better book, however)

In the end, this felt more like an adventure book than a science fiction novel. Let me clarify, it felt like an adventure story thrown into a science fiction universe. (although even that universe takes a back seat at most times to the natural worlds that the character sfind themselves in) I could see this novel lending itself well to a movie format, as the scenes are more "action" based. It reminded me in some respects to a classic Mark Twain novel, and in others like a good Indiana Jones movie... In the endi it is neither, but still a fun way to spend my commutes!

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Start with Fall of Hyperion

If you really care what I think of this book read my review of Fall of Hyperion. This is more of the same except maybe better.

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