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Hyperion  By  cover art

Hyperion

By: Dan Simmons
Narrated by: Marc Vietor, Allyson Johnson, Kevin Pariseau, Jay Snyder, Victor Bevine
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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)

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.

Editor's Pick

A sci-fi classic with a masterful full cast narration
"This epic sci-fi listen was way outside of my usual comfort zone so I did not go in expecting to get so sucked in by the stories or deeply affected by the characters as I did. Dan Simmons is a literary force to be reckoned with and Hyperion is accessible for both devoted fans and newbies like me, with its incredible word-building and character-driven storylines. The impeccable full-cast narration is just the cherry on top of this adventure through time and space."
Catherine H., Audible Editor

What listeners say about Hyperion

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

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.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

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.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

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.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Supernaturally imaginative Supernaturally imaginative

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

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

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.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent Audio, Great Book

This edition of Hyperion really impressed me with the quality of the voice actors. Having so many different voices to cover the many different points of view in the book really sold the story. The poet's voice in particular got quite a few laughs out of me. Enjoyed the changing tone of the different stories within the larger narrative of the book. Well worth a read!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Wish I had found this sooner

I would like to start off by saying the voice acting and narration are some of the best I have ever heard.

When this book first starts, I felt lost, like I had skipped a chapter. But it eventually smooths out and forms an amazing tale worth your time and imagination.

My only complaint is that I wish I had found this sooner.

10/10 would farcast again.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

the ending really?

This build-up of characters and their stories was amazing I got invested in each character.

The ending just was 12 min long? To end up in Kansas? Curse you for finishing with a crappy ending.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fabulous Story

It was a wonder story that keeps drawing you in to learn more. was pleasantly suprises

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant story and strong voice acting.

Great performances although Browne Lamias voice actor sometimes reminded me of an old pc adventure game voice actress. A bit wooden. The story is complex and fascinating.

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