Science Fiction Aficionados discussion

This month's themed read comes from our very own Best Sci Fi List - Hyperion, by Dan Simmons.

I am absolutely loving this book so far.

one of my favorite books! i'm looking forward to seeing what folks think about it.

Ditto. Loved the entire series, would love to read peoples perspectives on this masterpiece.

Just began the book and looks pretty nice thus far...

Dang! It's time already-I have to go dig this out of the tbr mountain...

I read this a year ago and loved it. Also looking forward to comments. There is so much here too this book. I had not planned on a reread, but may have too.

I'm about 20% into Hyperion, and like what I'm reading. The story is unique, and the imagery of the planet and people are leaving me crave for more.

I'm 1/3 through. The Colonel is telling his story. And I thought the priest's was wild! If everyone's story are as good as these, I will be more than happy. This was an excellent pick!

Just finished the Colonel's story, I'm with Linda, if the remaining stories are as good, then I'm excited about the rest of the ride on which this book promises to take me! Very enjoyable. Great world building, great amount of suspense, mystery and intrigue - I'm hooked and loving this book, and if things continue then I'm glad it's a series and won't end with this book.

I'm reading the third story (Poet's) and it astounds me how Simmons can find so very different perspectives and story telling styles to all this characters. The three people are very different, their perspectives and vocabulary and language use differ dramatically. I only hope that the rest of the stories will be as good!

Very enjoyable indeed!

The scientist's tale was surprisingly sad and I could not sleep immediately after finishing it. Had to read a few pages further to put the sadness out of my mind.

I´ve read it two times. It´s fantastic I´m enjoying it again through your messages

It's surprising how each of this stories starts relatively uninterestingly, but you get completely hooked only a few pages in. :)

I really enjoyed Hyperion! As soon as I finished it, I had to get the next book in the series, wasn't even an option. But I was a little disappointed by the third book in the trilogy. But, sticking to Hyperion, I thought it was a great book.

I loved the Canterbury Tales feeling, but so much more somber. Rachel's story absolutely broke my heart. I mean shattered it, and I'm still recovering. (view spoiler)[I have an 18 month old son, and I try NOT to imagine him growing up to achieve great dreams and then declining back into infancy. It's heartbreaking. I know most parents joke that they miss the peaceful sweetness of newborns, but this is not how I'd want to retrieve it. The details about when her mom dies, having to tell the toddler every day that she's on a trip? Having to relive that every single day as the father would have been too much to bear, but you have no choice but to keep going. I cried. A lot. I'm probably going to start again if I don't move on. (hide spoiler)]

The priest's story was absolutely horrifying. (view spoiler)[ And the third book made all the more horrific because this story was SO traumatic! (hide spoiler)]

Each of the characters were remarkably endearing and even relatable. I was really impressed with Simmons's story telling in Hyperion.

Just finished. Before I read this, I had great hopes for this book based on the reviews and ratings it has, and I have to say, I was not in the slightest disappointed. This book was a thorough joy from start to finish, I just loved, loved, loved the way the story was told. These characters were developed in the most unique and interesting way, I'm still reeling from how they all came from such different places to meet up together - it wasn't contrived or forced or in any way artificially created. I won't say more for fear of spoiling it for some, but I will say this, I don't read books that make me want to read the next in the series like this one is making me feel right now. I've got 4 more group reads for this month, and I'm thinking perhaps I either rush through those quickly, or put off so I can advance one more book into this series. Great nomination and selection!!

Just finished this one. Excellent read! As I said above, the start of each short story kind of grinds the story to a halt for a few moments (especially in the case of the last story), but then as things start rolling, they really roll.

Overall, the Academic's story was the most touching, but I loved the Poet's story as well. Cannot wait to read the next one!

So, now that a few people have finished, what were your favourite stories and why? (Try to use spoiler tags.)

I'd have to say that the Priest's story just entirely creeped me out (in a good way), and that the Academic's story was very melancholy and sad. They're probably my favourite two.

Finished it a bit back, had lost the thread and really have not had much time to log in. Was a little skeptical prior to reading, but this book threw me for a loop. I loved it. Loved the different stories, great story telling. Love the characters. The only 1 thing that irked me ( yes, I know it's a series.)was the ......to be continued...... type ending. Took me quite a while to get the book from the library, now they will probably not have the next one so I'll have to buy it. : P

I more or less said so above, but I liked the Academic's and Poet's stories the most. The first because it was very touching and sad (will certainly haunt me for a while) and the latter because it involved humour and discussed language and writing.

Finished last night ... I thought all the stories were riveting. I agree with Megan that the Priest's story was rather creepy but good. The character I liked the least after hearing his story was the Poet. The Scholar's story, as much Rachel's as his, was the saddest. The story I liked the most, however, was the Investigator's. I think it was the AI aspect, as Johnny was certainly as human as any "real" person. I'm sure glad I bought Hyperion's Fall at the same time as Hyperion because I really want to know what happens when they reach "Oz."

I have been taking my time and reading this slowly...just finished the poet's story this morning, but so far I am really hooked. I need to go order Fall of Hyperion so I have it ready when I am.
I like all the stories so far, each for different reasons

Finished it 3 weeks ago and I loved everything about it. Each story is unique in storytelling and has a distinctive feel to it. The Priest´s story was one of my favorites, aswell as the Investigator´s. I wasn´t reading the stories, I was part of them. I already started with the Fall of Hyperion. Couldn´t wait. Well deserved 5 stars.

I loved this book so much that I snuck my kindle into the bed while my wife was asleep so that I could finish it.