Oh, dude, you make me wanna read this one all over again! It's been a good few years now and it's still the best Sci-Fi I've ever come across (well, it's between this and Blindsight by Peter Watts) and I remember bits and piece of all the other stories, but the bloody Priest's Story was seared into my brain like a brand!! I still think about it now, years later - as you said, it really gets under your skin! - side note; the Ilium books by Dan Simmons are also incredible. Totally batshit crazy, in a good way. Just so, so very creative :)
I quite liked this one, although I wouldn't say for me that it wove the stories together very well. The novel's structure inherently silos each story and their is little contemplation of how each story relates and contrasts with the others. You're spot on in saying how the novel reads like separate short stories and I felt this to be a bit of a weakness really. Each story in and of itself is great, especially the first four. There is some wonderful writing, brilliant scene-setting and iconic imagery utilised by the author throughout. I just wish that there was more of an effort to bind these tales together iteratively into a more cohesive overarching narrative. I also could have used more of a resolution, and as such would easily have read another 100 pages had it been on offer.
What I love about your videos is that I always learn something. I read Hyperion 8 years ago and didn't make the connection with the Canterbury Tales. It is so obvious after you mentioned it! I didn't love the sequels as much, but Simmons is definitely an author that combines literary writing with a science fiction universe. I am finding it more and more difficult to find contemporary SciFi authors who combine those talents. Maybe Tchaikovsky, Jemisin or Ishiguro. Would love to hear your thoughts on that.
I wasn't aware of this book, will definitely give it a go! My go - to recommendation for introducing friends to sci-fi are the two short story collections by Ted Chiang! I think you will enjoy them very much (if you haven't read them already)! Looking forward to your next video!
The Duology is excellent! Pleased you positively reviewed Hyperion and excited to hear your thoughts on the Fall of Hyperion. 1. Priest (5/5) A devastating take on being careful what you wish for. Perfect story. 2. Soldier (4.5/5) Loved being confused and then the best payoff of all stories. 3. Consul (4/5) Enjoyed the planet's world and characters and his adventures. 4. Scholar (3/5) Didnt quite emotionally land due to personal bias viz child as adult's motivation. 5. Detective (3/5) Least memorable story and didn't care for maternal resolution. 6. Poet (2/5) Protagonist was self indulgent and boring. The one story l never re-read.
It probably suffered a bit from overhype for me, because so many people describe it as the best sci-fi novel or their favourite sci-fi novel. I was a bit disappointed that the book is ONLY the back stories, and the detective one in particular with the "cybrid" and whatnot--maybe I didn't put in enough work as a reader--I just felt that I didn't know what was going on from a sci-fi perspective--what are the tech concepts and background the author is trying to communicate, etc.
I mean I really thought some of the politics and quite a bit of the writing in this book got pretty gross. I mean AIDS II. Jesus Dan Simmons. Plus some of the very weirdly leery, sexy eroticism language that creeps throughout it. and like, yo I'm not a prude but it was just giving me a bit of ick.
Oh, dude, you make me wanna read this one all over again! It's been a good few years now and it's still the best Sci-Fi I've ever come across (well, it's between this and Blindsight by Peter Watts) and I remember bits and piece of all the other stories, but the bloody Priest's Story was seared into my brain like a brand!! I still think about it now, years later - as you said, it really gets under your skin! - side note; the Ilium books by Dan Simmons are also incredible. Totally batshit crazy, in a good way. Just so, so very creative :)
Great review!
Hyperion is top 3 SF all time for me. Maybe Solaris, House of Suns or Fire Upon the Deep can challenge it for the top spot.
👍
I quite liked this one, although I wouldn't say for me that it wove the stories together very well. The novel's structure inherently silos each story and their is little contemplation of how each story relates and contrasts with the others. You're spot on in saying how the novel reads like separate short stories and I felt this to be a bit of a weakness really. Each story in and of itself is great, especially the first four. There is some wonderful writing, brilliant scene-setting and iconic imagery utilised by the author throughout. I just wish that there was more of an effort to bind these tales together iteratively into a more cohesive overarching narrative. I also could have used more of a resolution, and as such would easily have read another 100 pages had it been on offer.
What I love about your videos is that I always learn something. I read Hyperion 8 years ago and didn't make the connection with the Canterbury Tales. It is so obvious after you mentioned it! I didn't love the sequels as much, but Simmons is definitely an author that combines literary writing with a science fiction universe. I am finding it more and more difficult to find contemporary SciFi authors who combine those talents. Maybe Tchaikovsky, Jemisin or Ishiguro. Would love to hear your thoughts on that.
Those are all solid choices! And of course, ursula le guin.
@@rororeads Le Guin is definitely in the Pantheon of greats, but Imy concern was more focused on contemporary "living" authors.
@@Tensytheneedlesmith Arh, sorry I misread :) I’ll have a think.
Sold -- I will give it a try! Thanks for the warning about the beginning.
I wasn't aware of this book, will definitely give it a go! My go - to recommendation for introducing friends to sci-fi are the two short story collections by Ted Chiang! I think you will enjoy them very much (if you haven't read them already)! Looking forward to your next video!
The Duology is excellent! Pleased you positively reviewed Hyperion and excited to hear your thoughts on the Fall of Hyperion.
1. Priest (5/5) A devastating take on being careful what you wish for. Perfect story.
2. Soldier (4.5/5) Loved being confused and then the best payoff of all stories.
3. Consul (4/5) Enjoyed the planet's world and characters and his adventures.
4. Scholar (3/5) Didnt quite emotionally land due to personal bias viz child as adult's motivation.
5. Detective (3/5) Least memorable story and didn't care for maternal resolution.
6. Poet (2/5) Protagonist was self indulgent and boring. The one story l never re-read.
Thank you!
It probably suffered a bit from overhype for me, because so many people describe it as the best sci-fi novel or their favourite sci-fi novel. I was a bit disappointed that the book is ONLY the back stories, and the detective one in particular with the "cybrid" and whatnot--maybe I didn't put in enough work as a reader--I just felt that I didn't know what was going on from a sci-fi perspective--what are the tech concepts and background the author is trying to communicate, etc.
الله رفيو رهيب🤩 ح اقراها اكيد
Are you going to be reading Lightbringer (red rising #6) anytime soon? Would love to hear your thoughts
Hey, I’m waiting for the series to be finished before I continue :)
Huh, I've heard some mixed reviews, but after this rave, I'll have to borrow it from the library and see...
No… no way… you did it!
I mean I really thought some of the politics and quite a bit of the writing in this book got pretty gross. I mean AIDS II. Jesus Dan Simmons.
Plus some of the very weirdly leery, sexy eroticism language that creeps throughout it. and like, yo I'm not a prude but it was just giving me a bit of ick.
i will give the priest's story its flowers though. that whipped.