HYPERION v ENDYMION v ILIUM

[@wburris2007]

This is my reading project for 2023. The Hyperion & Endymion books will be a reread.

[@WordsinTime]

Nice Bill, I hope you enjoy!

[@MrTugwit]

The Poet's chapter in Hyperion is one of the funniest things I've read.

[@WordsinTime]

Yes, Martin is great!

[@dalejones4322]

I'm halfway through the fall of Hyperion and it just keeps getting better. I've got about a thousand questions that I hope get resolved. Thanks for the reviews of these two books. Knowing the pace of the first did help get through some of it. The poet's story was a little slow but other than that it was great. Thanks for the reviews of both these books

[@WordsinTime]

You’re welcome Dale! I’m glad you’re enjoying The Fall of Hyperion. It blew me away!

[@Scottlp2]

It’s Dan Simmons-great books but good luck getting all questions answered. Not his way (some yes, many, no).

[@dalejones4322]

@@Scottlp2 you're right. I made it through all four books and I liked each book better than the last. The ending of rise of endymion left me stunned and sad for the characters. I really had never had that sense of sadness for a fictional character before. The sci Fi aspect made the scenario possible with the reunion and the fate yet to come. It was a great series

[@WordsinTime]

@@dalejones4322 That’s amazing! I found Rise of Endymion a little slow but I really liked the ending as well!

[@giuseppetrainiti1525]

The Hyperion chantos are a true masterpiece, It Is been so long since i read them, and the reason i didn t want to read them again Is because i am scared to ruin the wanderful Memories i have, of what i felt the First Time i ready those, during a special time in my life

[@WordsinTime]

Yes, I feel like I’ve been chasing that feeling every since I read them!

[@k-ondoomer]

The story with the poet in hyperion is soooooo good. I might have to re read the first two and continue past fall of hyperion

[@WordsinTime]

Some people don’t like the poet’s tale but enjoyed it! I hope you enjoy the second duology if you read it!

[@SidBarnhoorn]

I read the Hyperion & Endymion series years ago, I got the omnibus versions. I loved it and I am considering rereading them after I finish Cixin Liu's The Three-Body Problem trilogy!

[@WordsinTime]

I’m glad you loved them! The 3BP trilogy is another one of my favourite series!

[@megalawr]

Hyperion is one of my favourite books and I have reread it several times, but have not gotten to reread Endimion yet. Gonna pick them up again and get that Illium thing too. Thanks for the inspiration!

[@WordsinTime]

That’s awesome! I hope you enjoy them!

[@BookishChas]

This was a really helpful comparison Jonathan. Thank you.

[@WordsinTime]

Cheers Chas, I’m glad it was helpful!

[@Scottlp2]

1. I like the 2nd two books (Endymion) probably minority viewpoint, as many not fond of books with relationship between two major characters (avoiding spoilers). 2. I didn’t find reading Hyperion without knowing about Keats a problem. I did find reading ilium/olympos without a better knowledge of classics a big problem and don’t think I finished 2nd book.

[@WordsinTime]

I loved Endymion, I think more people should give it a chance. I found The Rise of Endymion slower but still loved the themes overall. I did not know many of the references in any of the duologies so I just had to roll with them haha

[@pcast01]

I think out of the 3 duologies I would have picked Hyperion/FOH as well. I am not done with Olympos but I am struggling to get thru it and I did enjoy Ilium more than Olympos. The Endymion duology is very good as well and very close to the first duology. Great review! I really want to re-read Hyperion and Fall of Hyperion!!!

[@WordsinTime]

Thanks Paul! I had some issues with Olympos but still enjoyed parts of it. I’m glad you enjoyed Hyperion and The Fall of Hyperion as well!

[@pcast01]

@@WordsinTime Yeah agreed. Some cringy moments that are not necessary at all. I did really enjoy the action scenes from Ilium. Dan Simmons seems to write fight/action scenes so well!

[@WordsinTime]

@@pcast01 The Shrike v Nemes fight was awesome!

[@pcast01]

@@WordsinTime The BEST Scene!

[@evanmcclellan7267]

It's been 8-9 years since I've read these books. At the time they rocketed to the top of my favorites list, and still haven't been dethroned. However, I haven't reread them since. And for the life of me I can't remember the fight scene you're referring to in Endymion. Looks like it's time for a reread.

[@WordsinTime]

I’m glad you loved them! I don’t want to spoil it for your re-read but it’s towards the end of Endymion. I hope you enjoy!

[@splifftachyon4420]

They're all pretty close for me, but I would say Hyperion would be my favourite, followed by Illium and then Endymion. I realized when you were presenting them that I could remember so many details about the Hyperion books (even though I read them in the early 90s) but when you were describing Endymion, I couldn't remember anything about them (other than the feeling of being not entirely satisfied), despite having read them 5 years later. Since I've just finished the Illium duology, obviously I remember it all in detail. And while I don't disagree with your criticisms of them, I feel like I enjoyed reading these a lot more than I did the Endymion books.

[@WordsinTime]

Hyperion is a vivid world and I’m glad you can still remember it years after having read them! A book’s ability to stay with you for a long time is a great sign!

[@ryerye3147]

I enjoyed "The Terror," that's where the desire to read more of his work ended, I had the displeasure of being in my local library; trying to find Hyperion, and instead finding his book 'Flashback' and there were things he said in it that I can't see past.. call me what you want, I just can't lol, I enjoy your videos lol..

[@WordsinTime]

I’ve heard good things about The Terror and bad things about Flashback haha

[@alexnovak2669]

Ilium was a lot more fun to read for me, but I am a history and sci fi buff. Hyperion....felt like a intellectual slog. I did it, but did not have fun doing it.

[@WordsinTime]

That’s interesting. Both are rich with references but I could imagine a history buff finding a lot to enjoy in Ilium!

[@ronaldwilliams2456]

You should read Keats. He is incredible.

[@WordsinTime]

Yes, I’m definitely intrigued by his poetry after reading Hyperion. I’m glad you enjoy his work!

[@Tsum1923]

The ousters and the shrike in particular were the mysterious hook that got me interested.

[@WordsinTime]

Agreed Terence! The Shrike is awesome but I feel like The Ousters deserve recognition too!

[@lancetschirhart7676]

The shrike was made for hooking.

[@RedFuryBooks]

Fun video! The 4 Hyperion books are a top priority for me next year, so I’ll let you know! (Starting Olympos next week)

[@WordsinTime]

Nice! I think you’ll enjoy the style of Hyperion!

[@RedFuryBooks]

It honestly sounds like a book I will absolutely adore.

[@henryglennon3864]

Just finished Olympos a week ago, and it was so leering and spiteful that I'm afraid of going back and rereading the Hyperion books, because looking back, I can see some of the same things there.

[@WordsinTime]

@@henryglennon3864 I found there was more of that creep stuffy in the Ilium and Olympos duology.

[@curtjarrell9710]

All six on my TBR.

[@WordsinTime]

Nice Curt! Let me know your thoughts when you read them. I hope you enjoy!

[@evanmcclellan7267]

I can't prove it, but I'm convinced that the filmmakers behind the movie Gods of Egypt really wanted to adapt Illum, but the studio said "nope! We're doing Egypt, baby!" There are so many design ideas about placing gods in a sci-fi setting in that movie that are lifted straight out of Ilium.

[@WordsinTime]

I haven’t watched it but if I do I will look out for any Ilium references!

[@israfaeldari5532]

Hyperion is Sci fi master The three body problem and revelation space are also super marvels.

[@WordsinTime]

Yes! I’m a fan of all 3 of those series!

[@TuftyMcTavish]

📚I was just looking up my Simmons collection. To my surprise I appear to have 5 of these 6 books - why on Earth I’m missing “Olympus” I have no idea 🤷‍♂️ According to me GR I’ve read the first 3 books, but I don’t recall anything of them anymore as it has been quite some while 💁‍♂️

[@WordsinTime]

I think the first 2 are definitely worth a read and if you enjoy them you should continue!

[@dqan7372]

Nice overview of the pros and cons.

[@WordsinTime]

Thanks Dqan!

[@bikingdervish]

Hyperion and FOH were my faves all around. Endymion and ROE had the most compelling idea with the twist of resurrection and Christianity. Ilium and Olympos I was overall disappointed. Couldn’t get into it till near the end of ilium then I was sucked in had some cool ideas and developments. then suddenly it drops the idea and ignores the gods for the remainder of the book and completely diverts to a killer Muslim submarine, that came out of left field, completely disconnected. What? I’ll definitely reread the cantos again but not ilium and Olympos.

[@WordsinTime]

That’s understandable, I’m glad you similarly enjoyed the Hyperion Cantos!

[@shobhitkaul8076]

Yea going to Dan with expectation is always a nono

[@WordsinTime]

You never know what you’re gonna get

[@curtjarrell9710]

What does 'ret conned' mean?

[@WordsinTime]

It’s when additional information is added that changes previous events. It’s short for retroactive continuity.

[@AndrewSmith-hc3ov]

If you have never had a kidney stone you don't understand. Rise of Endymion still sucks though.

[@WordsinTime]

Haha fair enough!

[@jukkavesanen9632]

Hyperion easily the best, second book OKish. Rest are rubbish...

[@WordsinTime]

I’m sorry to hear you didn’t enjoy the rest of the series but I’m glad you liked Hyperion.

[@jukkavesanen9632]

@@WordsinTime Yeah, Endymion felt almost like fanfiction after Hyperion duology. But sequels sell and at least someone liked them.

[@thirdmonkeyent_llc]

If you want ALL the answers, you have to read all four books. The reveal of who the Shrike is!! Mind blown.

[@WordsinTime]

I agree, all four books are worth reading!