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. ( )

When I read the German translation of the book I was disappointed. Maybe I was in the wrong mood, maybe it's the translation's fault, I can't tell for sure anymore. 2 years later the situation has changed completely and I was blown away. There are some parts of the book I like better than others, but the whole concept and the emotional touch of the stories makes this an outstanding read. Highly recommended. ( )

When I read the German translation of the book I was disappointed. Maybe I was in the wrong mood, maybe it's the translation's fault, I can't tell for sure anymore. 2 years later the situation has changed completely and I was blown away. There are some parts of the book I like better than others, but the whole concept and the emotional touch of the stories makes this an outstanding read. Highly recommended. ( )

Pre09:

Epic and plodding.

Characters: Some I liked. Some I didn't. With this many, I think that will always be the case.
Plot: There wasn't one plot. It basically was just a bunch of short stories running simultaneously.
Style: Epic Science Fiction. Too cumbersome for me in the end. If I want short stories I'll read short stories. If I want an epic I'd rather have some consistent characters. ( )

Complex space opera with literary (read: poetry of John Keats) & religious overtones. Unlike most novels, there is no main protagonist; the storyline is developed through several different characters, focusing on or around the pilgrims (Canterbury Tales!). The first book ("Hyperion")consists of the individual stories of the pilgrims, and their journey to the Time Tombs. The second book ("Fall of Hyperion") starts off where the first one ends, continues the story of the pilgrimage and further develops the story on a grander scale, with the invasion of Hyperion and the Web as a backdrop. Although satisfying, the end leaves many questions unanswered (the story _is_ complex). Good writer. Blend of themes and writing styles. ( )