Incredible story of travellers plagued with a puzzle uniting them all. This tale chronicles their individual journeys - how each came to arrive at this deadly crossroad. Particularly interesting is the story of the woman who is aging backward and rapidly running out of time.

Absolutely loved that book. Very entertaining!

Both the first book and the second book are excellent. The first book is a bunch of related short stories, and the second book ties them together. My friend didn't like it because there wasn't enough action, so let me warn you about that despite the fact that *I* didn't mind.

A tour de force masterwork!

Greatest series I ever read....sort of sci-fi Canterbury Tales. Read it!!!

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In the style of The Canterbury Tales, this is the story of a group of people on a pilgrimage. During their journey, each member of the group tells the story of how and why they came to be traveling on this particular pilgrimage. Unlike the Canterbury Tales, however, these pilgrims are all from different worlds and they're on their way to see the Lord of Pain, the Shrike, who will grant the wish of one of them and kill all the rest. The main plot of the book is that simple: a bunch of rather ordinary seeming people go on a trip. But the individual stories they tell are all very interesting and unexpectedly heart-wrenching. From a preacher's interactions with an unusually simple-minded tribe of indigenous people, to a teacher's desperate plight to save his daughter's life, to a private investigator's emotional attachment to a client who's murder she has been investigating, every single one of these stories touched me in some way. There are sequels to this novel and I will definitely be seeking them out.

First-rate science fiction. Highly recommended.

Simmons seemingly draws his inspiration from "The Canterbury Tales." Seven pilgrims journey to the Time Tombs on Hyperion. The narrative alternates between present time Hyperion and times past as each pilgrim (Priest, Soldier, Poet, Scholar, Detective, Consul and Captain) reflects and reveals what events brought them on this pilgrimage.

Each story has a different feel. The Soldier's story is war, action and sci-fi violence. The Scholar's story is domestic, tame and family centered. The Detective's story is mystery and suspense.

You'll get your money's worth here. Be advised that "Hyperion" needs to be read with the follow up book, "The Fall of Hyperion." The book is so well written it stands alone as a great read but it does not complete the journey.

One of the best science fiction books every written - a classic.

Awesome book. Different from a lot in the way it's told. My first time through a few years back, I got confused, but I paid more attention this time, and it was really easy to follow, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I was not able to finish this book. I read a lot but admit that I like the action packed stories better than the descriptive hard Science Fiction. Not sure if this qualifies as "hard sci fi" but it was a burden to read for me.

Lots of people like this book and I think that most people know of it so I am sure it is a well written story but its not my cup of tea.

So this book won the Hugo award, and I understand why! This book was a pretty quick read, and I found the story very captivating. I often compare this to sci-fi version of Agatha Christie's Ten Little Indians. Beyond that (without giving away too much) there is a combination of suspense and intrigue that keeps you reading. Loved it!!

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.
A stunning tour de force, this Hugo Award-winning novel is the first volume in a remarkable new science fiction epic by the author of The Hollow Man. --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

Review
Each of [the pilgrim's] stories would make a superb novella on its own. -- The New York Times Book Review, Gerald Jonas --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

Product Description
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.

Although it bugged me to read a book whose premise is borrowed from Chaucer, I really enjoyed this book. The stories are gripping and the world is interesting. The author creates very real and scary antagonists. I didn't like the sequel nearly as much, even though it wraps things up.

Wow. This was an exceptional book. I enjoyed the characters and how each of their unique stories came together for the plot.

Dan Simmons is a masterful writer. He deftly treads that fine line between too much description of a fictional world and too little description. If you like science fiction, this is worth a read!

I have found the entire seried very hard to get into.. I do know a lot of people that enjoyed it very much. For me I think it was a liitle too much fantasy.

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