Hyperion

Pilgrims to the shrine of the mysterious and deadly Shrike share their stories…

Hyperion was the 1990 Hugo winner for Best Novel, and was a recent selection for the Speculative Fiction Book Discussion group at the Downtown Lansing Branch. In it, seven members of the Hegemony of Man go to Hyperion to make what may be the final pilgrimage to the Shrike, a mysterious and terrifying force, ahead of a likely attack on the planet by the barbarian Ousters. In a style reminiscent of the Canterbury Tales each pilgrim shares their story and how they came to be included in this final pilgrimage. The writing is compelling and accessible despite being a truly original and complex story. The story continues in Fall of Hyperion.

Also audio fans shouldn’t miss the multi-voice presentation available on compact discs. Having fourvoices to cover the multiple narratives is both helpful and compelling. It’s not a theatrical version but a straight reading with multiple actors.