Beyond Reality discussion

The story continues with The Fall of Hyperion! A very different structure than the first book, it follows the characters we know and introduces more characters that are central to the wider human society. Let us know what you thought. Spoilers ahead!

Ok, sorry, I know this is a much loved book but it just was not for me: 2.5 stars

Hyperion was OK with its various different stories being related, and even though I didn’t love it I was looking forward to getting closure in this second half of the story arc.

Yes, there is closure (mostly), but it is wrapped in way too much musing about the nature of god, empathy, the human condition, poetry, etc. So the big reveal that the post-human ousters are not the bad guys but actually it’s the AIs/Techno Core setting up a Matrix-type situation either farcaster system and not even needing the humans as batteries anymore (so to speak). I would have been much happier to condense all that and just follow Rachel around on what she was doing.

It’s hard for me to believe that this is the same person who wrote The Terror, which I thought was brilliant and absolutely engrossing.

Anyway, not for me, but very clearly for most people given the high ratings generally accorded.

I’m not sure if I can do the last two books in the cantos; I may have to throw in the towel on the rest. Is it just more of the same or is there a change in the way the story is being told?

Actually the second two are very different than the first two. I know many people loved one but not the other.

They take place several hundred years later and follow two different POV characters in alternating chapters. Much more of an adventure story.

I reread all four about 10 years ago and I was surprised how well they maintained their appeal to me. I think all 4 are brilliant.

I read Hyperion a while ago but I read through a summary before starting on The Fall of Hyperion.
Like Justine, I really did not care for the second book. I'm debating whether to continue.
For me, the two main elements I had a problem with was the forced sex (two different times) that was brushed off and brutal violence and suffering called religion.
Kassad, for one, realizes he is being raped, then it's all great. Rape is not sexy in my view.
Then there are multiple references to Christ like suffering (but at the blades of the Shrike) that really has little point other than to experience suffering. Relief, rest, and reaching a higher plane never come into play. I realize the Shrikes are invented aliens but the focus on brutal killing was just too much for me.
In addition, I found the war discussions with all the generals to be very boring. I kept losing focus during those sections.
For others, those issues I mentioned are not a problem, and that's fine. People have different perspectives and tastes.

Natalie one of the things I didn’t care for in the first book is what I felt was a saturation in the male gaze. The scene with Kassad you are describing is more of an extension of that, ie it has the feel of male rape fantasy rather than a true violation. So I agree with you, that part was not only kind of gross but I questioned its necessity to the storyline.

If you’ve ever read Daughter of the Forest that’s a book that accurately reflects what rape really is and the effect it can have on the victim.

And yes, absolutely people have different views and tastes so I’m not at all criticizing people who loved this, it just wasn’t for me.

I haven't read Daughter of the Forest but have heard good things about it. I'll need to read it!

I like The Fall of Hyperion as it ties together some threads (but ot all) from the first book. It is not the overwhelming sensation of the group of stories in Hyperion however. Maybe the set up to the adventure became such a thrilling umbrella hanging over the actual adventure that it surpassed what was supposed to be the main storyline.

Reading this book is very jarring, being taken away from the group of travellers and having everything told from basically one linear narrative POV. But, I guess...nnnnnn...it ties everything up, maybe. It's like Simmons had a different purpose with this book than with the first, so "sequel" is a hard label to put on it.

It's not what was for me a mind blowing experience in reading the first book. But I find differing attitudes towards the duology a thrill to read, so thanks everyone for trying it out.

Posting here to let you all know that the threads for the third book have been started, and to encourage those of you who were not in love with this one to consider continuing the series, as I think The Fall of Hyperion is the weakest of the four. The third and fourth book are primarily concerned with two parallel storylines, mostly new characters with a few cameos from before, and are much more focused than this one was.