A classic requiring 1

Yes, Hyperion is a classic of science fiction literature (although in reality it is closer to the space opera as the hard science), but not a more accessible, especially in his pocket edition. Three reasons:

1 - the division into two volumes. Conventionally for publishers to circumvent the law of one price and you spit over in the novel by Dan Simmons was arbitrarily divided into two volumes "Hyperion 1" and "Hyperion 2" then it would have been easily released in one volume, as designed by its author. This division leads the misconception that the first volume is a wholly story, which is totally false. You MUST read this second volume immediately in the wake of the first.

2 - it is difficult to get into the book. The author intentionally uses foremost a technological vocabulary futuristic world of his work without ever explaining directly what it is. The characters are introduced little better than technology. As if the reader was supposed to know everyone and understand what we are talking. This lazy readers or repel those put off by the typical technovocabulaire of this literary genre. But those who will cling eventually gather bits of information skillfully sown during the rebuild narrative and plot together the universe. This intellectual exercise is particularly exciting, provided we play the game and we agreed to go to the end.

3 - the story does not end at the end of the book. In fact, the resolution of any will take place only in the following (and end), "The Fall of Hyperion" (also cut by the publisher). This first novel is mainly used for the creation of the universe, characters and issues. But as this implementation takes place using several embedded narratives, the novel behaves almost like a collection of several new at first glance you would think totally disconnected. We accept the criticism that all the accounts of travelers are not at the same level (that of the priest, that of Sol Weintraub and the Consul emerged as the best in my opinion), but the picture he stand gradually, as gigantic puzzle of 10,000 pieces, proves absolutely beautiful. The other downside is that there is very little action in this novel one, it will be "Fall of Hyperion" for this.

We must give a chance to this book to the end, if possible up to the end of his suite. Personally, I find this book to my wife loved it. It is true that she is not reluctant to science fiction, to the base, but the emotion, the situations the characters, certain philosophical issues, poetic allusions are all elements that have loved him, which really highlights this book to place it among the best of the genre, not far from the Dune or Foundation. Just that.