I finished Hyperion a few days ago, and I really have to say WOW. I think this officially becomes the best sci-fi book I have ever read. The intricate plot, unconventional storytelling and social commentary really blew me away. My only quibble is with the “ending” which only earns that title from the fact that the pages stop. The actual ending must be in the sequel, The Fall of Hyperion, which I plan to read as soon as my hold at the library is fulfilled (which, sadly, looks like it’ll take a while… There are only 4 copies, all currently checked out, and I’m 4th in the hold queue). I suppose I could go out and buy it, but I’m sure I can find enough books to read in the meantime…
I started the 2nd Harry Potter book last night and I’m already over 100 pages into it… it’s like it’s a kids book or something! I read the 1st one over a year ago and I wasn’t very impressed. I had seen the movie before the book so there wasn’t really anything new in the book. Don’t know what possessed me to borrow Chamber of Secrets from Angela (I’ve seen that movie too). I guess I’m just trying to understand why so many adults seem enthralled by this series. So far this one is just like the movie as well (ok, the movie was just like the book) and I still feel meh about the series…. However, I DIDN’T see Prisoner of Azkaban so I plan to read that one fresh as the final chance for the series to woo me.
Oh, and I finally got someone I know to read a Tom Robbins book! I had to go to extreme measures to ensure success (I bought Jitterbug Perfume and gave it to Marisa). She read it, “loved it”, and asked me which Robbins book she should get next! One down, the rest of my friends to go.
Fall of Hyperion isn't so much a sequel as a second part. It's really one novel split into two volumes. And then there's the REAL sequel, Endymion and Rise of Endymion which are again one story split into two volumes.
The Hyperion books are, of course, an update on The Canterbury Tales. The structure is the same-- a group of religious pilgrims exchanging stories of their lives, with the Shrike standing in for Jesus. I found the paradoxical nature of the Shrike (trying not to give anything away here) ultimately unsatisfying, and in fact both the Hyperion and Endymion duologies suffer from endings which fail to live up to the promise of what has comes before. But they're good reads.
Ooh, a mysterious voice from the net... then again only like 5 people read my blog, so I assume it was Peter?
I had no idea that Hyperion mimicked The Canterbury Tales, in fact I had no idea about Hyperion at all when I picked it up. I think I found it through some book recommendation website at the library and I grabbed it not knowing anything about it.
I take it from your critiques that you wouldn't agree with my "best sci-fi book" award... Do you have any excellent books to recommend?
Sorry, forgot to "sign" my comment above.
I quite enjoyed the Hyperion books, it's just that the endings were let-downs.
For my money, science fiction doesn't get much better than David Brin's Uplift books-- Sundiver, Startide Rising, The Uplift War, and the most recent trilogy that begins with Brightness Reef. And of course, there's Ender's Game (which is much, much better than any of the Ender books that came afterward). Orson Scott Card's Pastwatch: The Redemption of Christopher Columbus is well worth reading. For sheer fun, you can't beat Lois McMaster Bujold's Miles Vorkosigan series. Peter Hamilton's Flashforward has some great ideas. I loved the Wild Cards series edited by George R. R. Martin. I'll have to check my shelves at home and see what else comes to mind.
Well sweet! Now I have plenty of books to read! The only Brin book I've read is The Postman, back before the movie was made. I was unimpressed, so I didn't read any of his others... But on your recommendation I’ll check out Sundiver and go from there!