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The Fall of Hyperion (Hyperion Cantos)

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And this book knocks 'em over. I love reading stories in which "everything you know is wrong". Simmons takes the characters and events recounted in "Hyperion" and swallows them whole in a tale that had me scraping my brains off the back wall. The introduction of M. Severn and Meina Gladstone makes for two of the more fascinating and deep characters I think I've ever read. The former is a cipher, reflecting the events taking place hundreds of light-years away (those of "Hyperion") and interpreting them through a dead poet's thoughts. The other is a master politician, leader of a Hegemony that encompasses more billions of souls than almost is comprehensible. The sacrifices they both make to save themselves save humanity itself, but at a terrible price.

Some sections of the book are slow (I found the myriad battles with the Shrike tedious) the majority of the tale is fast moving, incredibly rich and believable, and astounding in its plot and details. This book and its predecessor are simply two of the finest works of literature in any genre, and are utterly entertaining.

I've handed copies of the "Hyperion" books over to probably 20 friends over the last 8-9 years, and had never had any of them returned to me. I don't care ... these books are *that* good.

Dan Simmon's 'The Fall of Hyperion' is not a sequel, but rather the second half of the unfinished story, 'Hyperion'. While 'Hyperion' was unique in its six wonderful tales as told by six people on a pilgrimage, 'The Fall of Hyperion' is more conventional, but is a real page-turner.

'The Fall of Hyperion' explains what happens to our travelers and delves into the purpose of the Shrike. It also expands greatly on the fairly thin plot exposed in 'Hyperion'. Most readers should enjoy this well-conceived and engrossing end to the story. Together, 'Hyperion' and 'The Fall of Hyperion' rank up there with the best science fiction has to offer and I give it 9 out of 10, or a five star ranking. However, because the reader is required (unknowingly) to purchase both books, I give each book 8 out of 10 and a four star rating.

Those who have forsaken 'The Fall of Hyperion' because it requires another purchase, are missing a rewarding experience. Those who have not yet read the Hyperion series are in for a treat. It is worth every penny of the two-book purchase price.

I loved Hyperion, but must admit that the second part of the story is not as good. It is a very different book and has to stand on it's own story more than Hyperion and it gets sort of long in the middle. I am glad I read it to get the rest of the story, and I will read Endymion after a brief break.

The follow-up to the Hyperion book is a complex, fascinating story that attempts to unify the tales presented in the Hyperion book. It is an absorbing, imaginative book with a very satisfying ending. The only drawbacks are somewhat long length and repeating subplots. Most readers will find it difficult to tie the loose ends of the story. The most memorable part of the story is the discussions with Ummon, an artificial intelligence. The are elements that will satisfy both the philosophical, thoughtful and the suspense-oriented readers.

The strength of Hyperion was its structure, loosely modeled on The Canterbury Tales. The pilgrims' stories were focused, fast-paced, and compelling. The Fall of Hyperion tells several stories at once, stretching across 500 pages. Each time we visit a particular protagonist or subplot, we're given another piece of the puzzle. The problem is that oftentimes the characters enter the stage, make their contribution, and then leave with little or no drama. The novel would have been better served by a more focused, more coherent narrative. Many of the questions raised in Hyperion are answered, but the journey isn't anywhere near as interesting.

In diesem Buch wird die Geschichte über die sieben Shriek-Pilger aus Hyperion weitergesponnen. Was das Buch interessant macht sind vor allem die faszinierenden Ideen die der Autor bei der Beschreibung der fernen Zukunft entwickelt.
Aber auch die Spannung kommt nicht zu kurz. Das Ende war dann für meinen Geschmack etwas zu wirr und esoterisch - aber dem Gesamteindruck tut das keinen Abbruch.

Im direkten Anschluss an die Ereignisse im Vorgängerband "Hyperion" haben die sieben Pilger das Ziel ihrer Pilgerreise erreicht: das Domizil des Shrike, des legendären "Lord of Pain". Während jeder Einzelne der Pilger nunmehr seinen eigenen Weg geht und damit dem Shrike immer näher zu kommen scheint, überschlagen sich die Ereignisse außerhalb von Hyperion. Das Intermezzo mit dem Sternenvolk der Ousters wächst sich zu einem galaktischen Vernichtungskrieg aus und ist dies noch nicht Bedrohung genug, steht der Menschheit noch ihrer eigenen Schöpfung gegenüber: dem Core, der allgegenwärtigen ungreifbaren künstlichen Intelligenz. Fast unscheinbar und doch zentral im Auge dieses galaktischen Wirbels tritt die Reinkarnation des englischen Dichters John Keats zu Tage, der als Hybrid aus Mensch und künstlicher Intelligenz eine entscheidende Rolle für das Schicksal der Menschheit spielen soll. Die Galaxis, wie wir sie kennen gelernt haben, wird nie wieder die selbe sein.

Dan Simmons hatte bereit mit "Hyperion" in ein komplexes geheimnisumwittertes Universum eingeführt und mit jedem neuem Handlungsstrang neue Fragen aufgeworfen und minutiös vorangetrieben. Nachdem er vorliegend die Spannungsspirale noch zum ersten Drittel auf schwindelerrgende Höhen bugsierte, zerschlug er nun endlich zum Anfang des zweiten Drittels den gordisch anmutenden Knoten und entzündete im Strudel von Vergangenheit, Gegenwart und Zukunft an fürwahr jedem möglichen und unmöglichen Punkt zwischen Himmel und Erde wahre Leuchtfeuer an packender Schreibkunst. In in schriftstellerisch bestechender Art und Weise verknüpft er jeden einzelnen noch so kleinen Handlungspfad und krempelt damit das gesamte Universum von oben bis unten um und um. Nichts ist so, wie es scheint - erst recht nicht das Shrike. Dementsprechend wächst sich jede der handelnden Hauptpersonen zum entscheidenden Teil eines galaktischen Mosaiks aus, das auf denkbar clevere Art und Weise so vage Gebiete wie Ethik, Moral, Philosophie, Historie, Göttersagen, Wissenschaft, Lyrik, Individualität, Vernunft und Religion reibungslos miteinander verwebt und damit Fragen zu Gott, Mensch und Welt dergestalt tiefgründig aufwirft, dass das eigene Weltbild nicht unwesentlich tangiert wird. Bei aller Komplexität und Detailfülle ist das Werk in einer bestechend klaren und prägnanten Schilderung entworfen und findet ein wahrhaft galaktisch-episches Ende.

Fazit:

Eine grandiose Sinfonie an intelligent dargebotener gnadenlos tiefschürfender Science-Fiction, meisterlich erzählt von einem begnadeten Autoren.

Simmons' conclusion to Hyperion opens a deluge of plotlines and character situations so finely detailed and expertly executed the reading is effortless.

The Shrike is a more dominant character in this book and as a result, we see it rip the plotline apart from the inside out--with not a word being said. The explosiveness and pain only hinted at in Hyperion are manifested clearly and demonstrate the ability for words to truly hurt--I cringed more reading this book than I can remember in a long time.

The introductoin of active politics and technology virtually unseen in the prior book support the plot as opposed to hindering it; we really get a glimpse behind the pilgramage and the true meaning to the Hegemony of Man.

A exciting and adept work for Simmons and a keeper for all SF and non-SF readers!

'Fall of Hyperion' follows the style of an epic which can be read on many levels. It is an analysis of John Keats's poetry, the relationship of God and Man, whether there is a God at all, and the purpose of human suffering all at once--and this to name just a few. I do not think it should be judged in comparison with the first book, as they are both extremely different in structure. 'Hyperion' is a tight novel centering on the past lives of the pilgrims, while 'Fall of Hyperion' is an intricately woven tapestry much akin to epics such as 'Dune'. Both are ingenious in their respective approaches to theme and character.

The new character viewpoints, Severn and Paul Dure, are well-developed, and Meina Gladstone is a tragic gem of characterization. The other characters undergo trials that stretch them to the limits, and lend a glimpse into the fragility of humankind. My only complaint is Kassad, who never feels real, though the author obviously admires him very much. His relationship with Moneta was a disappointment to me, as it never developed beyond sex, yet is referred to as 'love'. I didn't see it, and therefore didn't buy it.

'Fall' contains the same trauma and horror from 'Hyperion', on a deeper and larger scale, making some scenes intensely painful to read. But with the pain comes a massive wellspring of emotion which, though still painful, is ultimately a pain which shapes and refines. Simmons is unafraid to go where other authors dare not, and for that he is deserving of praise. The action is such that there is never a slow moment, and the surprises are endless. Without question, Simmons knows how to weave a story.

The multiple themes running through this book are difficult to follow. Somehow Simmons meant to tie the poetry of John Keats with questions relating to the nature of God and humanity, but this is done with such complicated strokes that the book probably needs to be re-read many times to be fully appreciated. I for one developed an interest in Keats as a result of reading this book--not to mention an affection for 'Mister John Keats, five feet high'.

I loved "Hyperion" so much that I was almost afraid to pick the sequel up, fearing that it wouldn't measure up to the incredibly high standard that Dan Simmons had set (see my review of "Hyperion" for more details). I needn't have worried. "The Fall of Hyperion" further demonstrates Simmons' amazing ability to meld science fiction with poetry, two genres that I would have never thought could be combined. There were several points when I had to put the book down in order to digest what I had just read before i was able to continue, it moved me that muchThe characters you have grown to empathize with in the first novel are forced through more unnerving experiences on the world of Hyperion, with the mysterious Shrike. However, the focus of this book shifts somewhat from the first, elaborating on the big picture as well as the events that are happening on Hyperion. I found much of the book to be confusing, but I kept going anyways and it all eventually made sense in the end."The Fall of Hyperion" explores issues that normally do not surface in the science fiction genre: free will and slavery, religion and faith, and whether the ultimate loyalty should be to the institutions that humanity has created or to the human race itself. It is a work of literature that, in my opinion, should be ranked along with many of the other enduring classics that are taught in our schools. This is not an easy book to read - the Shrike is, after all, known as "The Lord of Pain" - but it is well worth it.