Okonkwo

Book Review: The Fall Of Hyperion, by Dan Simmons

Dan Simmon’s 1991 follow up to Hyperion (which I reviewed here) tied up a lot of gaps I identified in my last review; notably a lack of meaningful encounters of each pilgrim with the Shrike. The follow up The Fall Of Hyperion does a fantastic job addressing these gaps.

Ok…Not every gap in the Hyperion universe was closed, and yes, even more questions and mysteries were created. However I was very satisfied with this book. Dan Simmons sufficiently answered the bigger existential and philosophical questions that the book Hyperion had raised (and left hanging) around its key players and the larger context of the fictional Hyperion universe itself. Also, I found that the questions this book tackled and the scenarios it presented back in 1991 are still very relevant themes, if not staple go-to’s, in contemporary science fiction 28 years later.

Note: spoilers all over the place, so take cover…

The Good…

I was not disappointed with each pilgrim’s experience with the Shrike (with the exception of Brawne Lamia, who given her important role in this story, still feels like the most under-developed player in this tale).

Book Review: Hyperion, by Dan Simmons

Somewhere in the many layers of the man called Okonkwo is a fan of elaborate, sweeping, epic sci-fi literature. I read Dan Simmons’ Hyperion recently because the Hugo award winning novel was seeing a resurgence in interest (it was first published in 1989) with several online sci-fi reviewers awarding the series serious praise.

The books of this genre that I enjoy tend to be on the grittier side. I prefer stories of a fictional universe with signs of wear and decay. I enjoy tales with no easy decisions and messy resolution. Just like in real life, choices should come with collateral damage. Good people get hurt sometimes. Not everyone makes it. In simple terms I don’t believe good sci-fi should be clean and shiny, with clear lines between good and bad, heroes and villains.

In comes Hyperion which, at least initially, seemed to cater to those needs. I listened to the book on audible.

Welcome.

Welcome to Okonkwo’s blog. I will talk about life, love, and empowerment. I will stand for common sense and state the unfiltered truth. My feet are firmly fixed in both the old and new, the homeland and the diaspora.

Again, welcome.

A fly that has no counselor follows the corpse to the grave. — Igbo Proverb.

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