Hyperion by Dan Simmons
So, it finally happened. I ran out of stuff I had to read for the podcasts I am involved with and finally find that I have time to read things that I want to read, or at least look for books I want to read. I began a Google search for some ideas of sci-fi that might be considered essential for any fan to look into. I found Hyperion on many of the lists in my search. I downloaded it and almost immediately found myself hooked. This is the first book in a series called Hyperion Cantos, which I might translate as meaning “the song of Hyperion.” It is a Hugo and Locus award winner and I can certainly understand why.
One of the things one can expect a lot of in Hyperion is worldbuilding. Up until now, books I have read that contain as much about the setting of the story as this one does have been in the Fantasy genre. The known universe of Hyperion is somewhat complicated. There is no more Earth and people have moved out to live among the stars. There are numerous planets in the human organization known as the Hegemony. All of the planets of the Hegemony are connected by the “WorldWeb,” which is a network that allows people to travel instantaneously between worlds by “farcaster.” There are also planets that are not connected to the WorldWeb that can only be reached by spaceship, of which the planet Hyperion is one. Planets that are not connected are thought to be of little economic interest. A group of “interstellar barbarians” known as Ousters are headed toward Hyperion for some unknown purpose.
On Hyperion itself resides a being called the “Shrike.” It is a brutal killer that seems to permeate every part of human history and society. At this point, I would have to call it an interstellar boogeyman, but it seems to be a very real threat. The Shrike is based on Hyperion but can travel through space and time at will. It is further described as having a metal shell that has spikes all over its body. It is named after a bird that impales its prey on the thorns of trees. At over nine feet tall and having four arms, it isn’t surprising that it terrifies the characters in the book as it would terrify children in nightmares. Apparently, the Shrike is associated with a place on Hyperion called the “Time Tombs.”
It is believed that the Time Tombs, a group of six structures in a remote valley on Hyperion, were built in the far future and are moving backwards in time. With the Ousters approaching Hyperion as well as some apparent activity at the site of the Time Tombs, a group of six pilgrims are sent there to investigate what is happening on Hyperion as a large part of the population is disappearing.
As the pilgrims approach Hyperion on a spaceship, they contemplate why the Ousters are approaching the planet. Knowing that it is going to be some time before they actually arrive at the Tombs, and because they don’t know why they have been selected for the pilgrimage, they decide to tell stories. They believe that by doing this, each will contribute to a piece of a puzzle of what is expected from them once they reach their goal.
Each of the main characters, save one, tells their story within the story as they travel to the Temples on Hyperion:
Father Lenar Hoyt is a young priest of the Catholic Church, which is apparently quite a challenge in the future. His tale is of events that actually are more about his mentor and friend, Fr. Paul Dure, and his time on Hyperion in a sort of archaeological expedition that goes wrong.
Colonel Fedmahn Kassad is an officer of the Force, this universe'smilitary. He is also known as the “Butcher of Bressia.” Beginning in his training days, Kassad is visited by a mysterious woman calling herself Moneta. These meetings take place over his entire career as a Force officer as he fights against the Ousters.
Martin Silenius is an old, foulmouthed, drunken poet that was highly respected by the higher-ups on Hyperion. He has been working on an epic poem called the Hyperion Cantos and needs to return to the Tombs to write an ending to his lifelong work.
Sol Weintraub is a well known scholar who is traveling with an infant. The story he tells is of his daughter, Rachel, who falls victim to an accident while studying in the Tombs. The accident drastically changes not only Rachel’s life, but also that of her family.
Brawne Lamia is a hardboiled, noir-like private detective from Lusia. She is hired by a Cybrid (an artificial intelligence in control of a human body) to investigate a murder. Her actions and findings may have profound effects on future events.
The Consul is a high government official who has been involved with politics all his life. He tells the tale of his planned rebellion against the Hegemony.
Het Masteen is the only one that does not tell a tale, but he is identified as the seventh pilgrim. He was supposed to tell his tale, but before his turn came around, he disappeared on the trip to the Tombs.
In its entirety, Hyperion is a book that is completely expository as it introduces the reader to what appears to be a very complicated universe. The real appeal for me in this book is in the tales that are told by the characters. Between the stories that are told by each character, and what takes place before, after, and in between each tale we get a good picture of what the main players are about, and what motivates them. Each one is appealing and is written so that they bring something to the entire group that will contribute to the whole, even though each one also has a private agenda. Each has a skill set that gives them a unique perspective on what will happen as the story continues to unfold in later books. I have given some thought as to who my favorite character is and am having a hard time deciding. All of the characters have appeal; even the snarky poet, Silenius, has a certain cynical outlook that is humorous, while at the same time somewhat pragmatic. While the individual stories not only reveal what the main characters are, they also help to develop the antagonist of the story - the Shrike.
Along with its imposing appearance, the Shrike has the ability to travel freely, and quickly, through time and space. It can attack so quickly that it’s victims sometimes don’t even see it. The Shrike’s body is covered with thorns and blades that will allow it to easily eviscerate its victims, but it does so in cruel, painful ways. It is also impervious to damage by conventional weapons and can survive after being submerged in molten lava. The Shrike is the stuff of childhood nightmares.
What appeals to me most about Hyperion is the craft with which the author can put words together. In the main character’s individual stories, Simmons tells the tale as his character might. In other words, the scholar’s language is well thought out and precise, the detective’s is much as one would expect from a hardboiled noir figure. His ability to capture and communicate each voice makes the novel even more engaging beyond the story. The story that takes place between the character’s stories is where he really shows his ability. For me, it was Simmon’s descriptions of people, places, and things that came off the page and flowed so smoothly, I would almost have to call it poetic.
I enjoy the story-within-a-story format of this book and I read it very quickly, mostly because I didn’t want to be away from it for long. It is a great story and an excellent introduction to the rest of the series of which there are three more books. I guarantee that I will be picking up those in the future. Hyperion is not something that one can read casually, it requires a reader’s full attention in order to savor the content and enjoy it to its fullest. I think that this is a must-read for fans of sci-fi.
Well, there it is…
Qapla’!
Edited By Benjamin Arrowood
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