The climax to this day, Science Fiction 1

As literature Gender, Science Fiction will always torn between the exploitation of its goodwill and the call of the Great White Literature (GLB) filled with stylistic mastery, narrative and probably emotional but private "meaning of wonder. "
Fortunately occasionally arises a synthesis.
Here is the latest I know.
Dan Simmons is indeed a writer, full stop, since he showed by writing in different genres or in any finally! It is also seen in his fascination with the accursed poet John Keats, also embodied in this book, in his writing and in the use here of a complex narrative structure itself based on an unfinished poem poet: Hyperion

However the themes used are little skimpy, what is more important in fact that the disappearance of the human species, the existence of God (s), immortality or time travel?
The "Hyperion" poem recounting the fall of the Titans face the Olympians metaphor used by another titanic battle that lies in our future ... and I do not hide from you deflower for the immense pure SF surprise awaits you , lucky band!

The context of this story is a refreshing ambition, 700 years into the future, humanity has scattered in the Galaxy through a supra-first Luminary engine but then thanks to DISTRANS portals allowing instant transfer from one point to another (including the first experiences have also led to the loss of the old Earth).
Thus the traditional humanity forms a single body politic, the Hegemony, which runs regularly.
How better to illustrate this unity with the river flowing Tethys worlds worlds thanks to these distrans portals. The Datasphère therefore extends also on all connected worlds with even absent feature of our Web, the presence within it of super-intelligent entities forming the Techno-center.

These artificial intelligences invented DISTRANS, the principle remains unknown to human scientists (but he left?) And quickly understands that almost all aspects of human technological civilization are governed by the Techno Centre, it's chilling right?
A portion of humanity, the Ousters, however, rejected this evolution and lives in deep space in vast armadas of vessels and their bodies have adapted to this new environment. The Hegemony considers them as a barbarian type of threat to eradicate as soon as possible.

However the perfection of knowledge of the world by the Techno center knows a limit, only one, the planet Hyperion, the Tombs of the time and Gritche. These tombs seem indeed back in time and be accompanied / defended by a gigantic creature metal pile bristling sharp that impales his victims pain on a tree.

At the opening of the novel the crisis rushes Hyperion because of the increased activity of the Tombs of time and Gritche well as preparations for invasion rumors from the Ousters. A final pilgrimage to the tombs is then organized in the hope to see a little clearer.
Seven people will be selected and we will follow them during their long journey to reach the tombs. To brighten their trek, the pilgrims decided to share the adventure of their lives, for indeed each has experienced extraordinary events that will illuminate each in a different light the reality of the Hegemony.

We begin by Father Lenar Hoyt, the almost extinct Catholic sect, describing his discovery of a possible future envisaged for Humanity.

Fedmahn follow Colonel Kassad, officer of the FORCE that will brighten the use made of the army. Then it will be the rich and turbulent history of the poet Martin Silenius, born on Old Earth and constantly in search of his muse, whatever the price ...

Then comes the old Jewish scholar with her baby Rachel that rejuvenates the same rate as we age since an accident in the tombs of the time.

Brawne Lamia The detective investigating the murder of cybrid "Johnny", modeled on the personality of the poet John Keats and who lost five crucial days of his memory. This story illuminates the nature of TechnoCore.

Finally the consul reveals how the Hegemony integrates the new worlds and the damage of a passenger across the world.

It lacks a pilgrim you will tell me, I leave you in surprise ...

(This comment is the same as in Volume 1, this is normal it is a single book)