Hyperion cover art

Hyperion

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Hyperion

By: Dan Simmons
Narrated by: Marc Vietor, Allyson Johnson, Kevin Pariseau, Jay Snyder, Victor Bevine
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About this listen

 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.©1989 Dan Simmons (P)2008 Audible, Inc. Adventure Fantasy Science Fiction Space Opera Fiction Mythology Funny Scary Greek Mythology Classics

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Editor reviews

Hyperion, one of the most celebrated Sci-Fi novels of all time and the first book in the Hyperion Cantos series, begins in the midst of an interplanetary war in the 29th century. Five pilgrims set out to the mysterious title planet in an attempt to prevent Armageddon, but while most of the planets in the Hegemony are connected by rapid transit farcaster portals, the journey is far from safe. Modified humans known as Outsters lurk in space stations between planets, threatening the very fabric of the planetary alliance.

Winner of both the Hugo Award and the Locus Award for Best Novel, Hyperion is easily one of the most important, groundbreaking books in Sci-Fi. It incorporates favourite elements of genre — including time travel, galactic war and intricate world building — making for a listen that any space odyssey fan will love. In audio, the experience is even more immersive as you’ll hear the individual stories of the five Pilgrims, each brought vividly to life by a different narrator.

Critic reviews

Hugo Award, Best Novel, 1990
Locus Award, Best Novel, 1990
"Dan Simmons has the Midas touch: Every genre he writes - whether SF, horror, mystery, historical, or thriller - he turns to gold. Hyperion and The Fall Of Hyperion set a new standard for grand-scale science fiction." (Kevin J. Anderson, author of The Saga of Seven Suns)
"Dan Simmons was a star from the outset. It was the Hyperion books that made him a superstar. The man, quite simply, is what we in the trade call a writer's writer." (Mike Resnick, Hugo and Nebula Award-winning author)
Each of [the pilgrim's] stories would make a superb novella on its own. ( The New York Times Book Review, Gerald Jonas)
All stars
Most relevant
This story is probably one of the best sci fi books I have ever read (listened to!). The stories within the story are likewise fantastic.

The only reason I gave it 4 stars is that an audiobook is only as good as the narrator. This book is read by numerous narrators and the lady who narrates M. Brawne Lamia has one of the most annoying accents ever! It was more frustrating as Brawne Lamia is a really interesting character.

Fantastic...but only as good as the narrators

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This was an eye-opener! The whole series is exquisitely crafted and sensitively narrated and so good I hope it wins many many awards. The ONLY writer to rival Ian M Banks.
It takes just a little while to engage with the story, but then you realise that you are in love with this strange but fascinating world with astonishing yet poignant tales.
Highly addictive, I bought the whole series.

The Best Sci Fi Series in Audiotape

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Would you listen to Hyperion again? Why?

No. I'd prefer to listen to the other books in the series. I also found the main narration to be boring and monotone. It was just the strength of the story that held my attention.

What did you like best about this story?

The separate story lines are all unique and very engaging. Thankfully they also gave my ears a break from the main narrator as they were narrated by different voice actors.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

Everything! The main narration is so monotone I almost stopped listening to the book. I decided to give the book until the end of the first mini story (which starts at about the 2 hour mark) before deciding if the entire book was a lemon. Luckily, the first story was very enjoyable and after that the other voice actors who narrated the other stories really saved the audio for me. Had I stopped listening I would have missed out on a very good book.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The first narration from a different voice actor!

Any additional comments?

I think this book could have been so much better with a different narrator (such as R.C. Bray). With better narration I would have given 5 stars across the board. The other narrators were very good I just didn't like the main narration.

Brilliant Story Let Down By Monotone Narration

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I've little to add to what previous reviewers have said except that this is a truly superb audiobook. I was gripped from the word go, and was engrossed right the way through despite the book's length. Probably in the top two or three audibooks I've listened to this year. Narration is excellent. Strongly recommended.

Brilliant and gripping story

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Having owned the book for years but not read it I downloaded the audio to listen to as I drive.
I should have read it when I bought it.
An engrossing story with a steadily evolving and involving cast set in a well constructed universe over a traditional story arc.
The narration is exceptional and allows you to sink into the story and characters like a read book, no jarring over performance or theatrics just clear, beautifully read storytelling.
Enjoy.

Outstanding.

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One of the best stories I've ever "read". I really don't understand why Hyperion doesn't have more of a following, or a film, or a series, or a series of films.

Absolutely loved it.

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Once you get into this novel, it's brilliant. It's worth perceveiring with as it does get going

Slow start but really interesting once started

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This is a beautiful production / narration of a fascinating book, it's well worth your time~☆

Wonderful Narration of a Great Book

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It kind of builds up to nothing, there is no conclusion offered at the end.

Its good but;

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At some point listening to this book I was completely captured. Every so often the book strays in crazy ultra violence or some weird sexual stuff but the rest of the book is so compelling and strong that it'd only be when someone I recommended the book to gives me an accusatory look that I'd even remember it happened.

Each story is fascinating and I was invested in every character. Every narrator is good, with special mention of Marc Vietor who really brought his character to life. This is one of the rare books when I realised that it wasn't going to wrap up I wasn't annoyed, I just immediately bought the sequel. The book has great ideas, characters and potential. Definitely one of the best audiobooks I've listened to.

Loved it

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