Hyperion

By: Dan Simmons

Narrated by: Marc Vietor, Allyson Johnson, Kevin Pariseau, Jay Snyder, Victor Bevine

Length: 20 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

On the world called Hyperion, beyond the law of the Hegemony of Man, there waits the creature called the Shrike. There are those who worship it. There are those who fear it. And there are those who have vowed to destroy it.

In the Valley of the Time Tombs, where huge, brooding structures move backward through time, the Shrike waits for them all. On the eve of Armageddon, with the entire galaxy at war, seven pilgrims set forth on a final voyage to Hyperion seeking the answers to the unsolved riddles of their lives. Each carries a desperate hope - and a terrible secret. And one may hold the fate of humanity in his hands.

©1989 Dan Simmons (P)2008 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

Hugo Award, Best Novel, 1990
Locus Award, Best Novel, 1990
"Dan Simmons has the Midas touch: Every genre he writes - whether SF, horror, mystery, historical, or thriller - he turns to gold. Hyperion and The Fall Of Hyperion set a new standard for grand-scale science fiction." (Kevin J. Anderson, author of The Saga of Seven Suns)
"Dan Simmons was a star from the outset. It was the Hyperion books that made him a superstar. The man, quite simply, is what we in the trade call a writer's writer." (Mike Resnick, Hugo and Nebula Award-winning author)
Each of [the pilgrim's] stories would make a superb novella on its own. ( The New York Times Book Review, Gerald Jonas)

started listening and couldn't stop

there are very few books that will suck you in this is one of them

All setup. No payoff.

Invites the reader to ask questions and speculate, but never answers those questions. Different characters all have their own stories with inconsistent viewpoints but they all talk the same way; use the same terms. "Lapis sky" is my personal fave. Also, if you don't think poets are the greatest thinkers and the most shining examples of what it means to be human, prepare to roll your eyes on every other page.

Must read scifi

Full of great ideas, unique structure, strong world building, had me totally hooked all the way through

It's Old but it's Amazing.

Described as a "tour de force" in many a book description they do not underrate it at all. This book is a journey, a journey you'll not want to end and can't wait to end at the same time because you have to know what happens. When you start you care about none of the characters at all. In the middle you think you have favourites and by the end you can't separate who you like and don't. They're all wonderfully written, real and voiced different. The voice actors did a great job to make each voice unique and make each really fit the characters. I'd put this book of for a long time because of the age of it as some aging Sci Fi just doesn't stand up. This is not one of those. There's talk of it being made into a film and it'd be criminal to do so. As much as it'd make the book mainstream a show like GoT would suit it better. I can't think of much to relate this to personally other than another sci-fi that that's probably less famous but just as deserving: Armor by John Stakely. If you liked that I think you'll love this. If you've not listened to or read either I'd highly recommend them both but be ready for an emotional rollercoaster.

Once I was captured I couldn’t stop

Fantastic book!

Not what I was expecting. It’s a collection of stories with the main plot playing out in the background. Each story builds to satisfying convulsions and leaves you mouth agape.

The following are very minor complaints that should not keep anyone from listening but that I hope reaches the creators:
- tone done the sex scene descriptions (there aren’t many to begin with)
- re-record the female voice actor’s lines. Half were fantastic but half were also robotic

Again. Great read. Zero regrets

what just happened ....

A very long build up with no ending. a weak cliffhanger at best. Concept was unique and different. However no book 2 for me.

Good story.

I enjoyed the stories. Feels like a prequel in a way. (I live prequel’s ) but ends on a giant cliffhanger 😂 so have two credits.

Sci-fi classic for a reason

Great writing and great narration; a pleasure to listen to!

The world building is fantastic and explores how Humanity both fractures but still remains a whole as they spread out across the stars. The author weaves lots of seemingly unrelated events together to form a larger and richer tapestry of the triumphs and failures of a galactic civilization.

The narration was great as well. Each character has a separate voice actor which makes their stories feel more personal and intimate. It was fun learning how all the characters were connected by the end but they were still independent and unique.

And the Shrike is such a fun and menacing figure. I cannot wait to read the other books to learn more.

Supernaturally imaginative Supernaturally imaginative

Each character’s story is of unfailing originality and poignance. Extraordinary narration. A classic for a reason.

Unique - series needed otherwise no ending

If you invest into this book, then expect to need to complete the series. The main characters of this tale, all on a pilgrimage that may end their lives, each take turns telling their individual stories of how and why they've gotten to where they are now. Each of these stories is its own distinct and compelling mini-novel. The planet Hyperion, and its mysterious "time tombs", play a role in each person's account, and are the destination of their pilgrimage. Excellent narration by the team.