Publisher:
Gollancz
Reviews & Overviews by Rod Cameron
Publisher: |
Gollancz |
|
Date: |
1989 |
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Size: |
473 Pages |
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Format: |
Paperback |
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Price: |
£7.99 |
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ISBN: |
0-57507-637-2 |
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Reviewed by: |
Rod Cameron |
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Review Date: |
September 2007 |
In 1989, Dan Simmons wrote a science fiction work that won the 1990 Hugo Award for Science Fiction. For some inexplicable reason, I have never got round to reading Hyperion at the time, and it has always been on “the heap” since then. Finally I have got round to reading it.
It is set in the 29th century and the universe of the Human Hegemony is under threat. Invasion by the warlike Ousters looms, and the mysterious schemes of the secessionist AI TechnoCore bring chaos ever closer. On the eve of disaster, with the entire galaxy at war, seven pilgrims set out on an epic journey. Their goal, the legendary Time Tombs on Hyperion, home to the Shrike, a lethal creature, part god and part killing machine, whose powers transcend the limits of time and space. The pilgrims have resolved to die before discovering anything less than the secrets of the universe itself.
Just as in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, the pilgrims agree to tell each other a story. However unlike the earlier pilgrimage this time the stories are of why the pilgrims are travelling to almost certain death. As the tales unfold, we quickly get a vivid sense of the Hegemony and all its troubles. The Priest, Father Lenar Hoyt’s tale is horrific and immediately alerts the reader to the facts that Hyperion is not going to be an entirely pleasant read, and that elements of Hyperion are completely alien. The Soldier’s tale, of Colonel Fedmahn Kassad, is of battles, war and sex. He has a mysterious lover that comes to him, often on the battle field. Stylistically, each tale is different, reflecting the character of its narrator. The Poet’s tale, Martin Silenus is rambling and probably the least accessible, but paints a broad history of human life on Hyperion. The Scholar’s tale, of Sol Weintraub and his daughter Rachel and why she is growing younger day by day I found very moving. The Detective’s tale, of Brawne Lamia introduces us to the AI TechnoCore and its cybrids. Also, I should not forget The Consul’s tale. We do not get to hear the tale of the seventh pilgrim Het Masteen, The Templar.
Hyperion is a complex very well written story with well developed characters set in a universe that has a very strange mystery. However, do not expect a resolution to the mystery. Hyperion poses the Question. For resolution you need to read the sequel – The Fall of Hyperion.