Hyperion
On the world called Hyperion, beyond
the law of the Hegemony of Man, there waits the creature called
the Shrike. There are those who worship it. There are those who
fear it. And there are those who have vowed to destroy it. In
the Valley of the Time Tombs, where huge, brooding structures
move backward through time, the Shrike waits for them all. On
the eve of Armageddon, with the entire galaxy at war, seven pilgrims
set forth on a final voyage to Hyperion seeking the answers to
the unsolved riddles of their lives. Each carries a desperate
hope--and a terrible secret. And one may hold the fate of humanity
in his hands.
New York: Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing
Group [1990] 482p.
First edition in hardback. Only 2,000
hardback editions were published and were issued at the same time
as the paperback. Bound in pink boards with blue spine. Lettering
in gold on spine reading HYPERION\DAN\SIMMONS. DJ art by Gary
Ruddell on both front and back covers showing the Shrike viewing
the wind wagon in the Sea of Grass. Front DJ flap has a story
synopsis, while on the back flap is a number of blurbs. Additionally,
a photo by Karen Simmons is located on the back flap.
Comment: Quite simply the finest science fiction work
that I have ever read-period. The intricate weaving of multi layered
plots and an incredible compilation of character development make
this a simply awe inspiring work. Enough of my blathering-READ
THE BOOK.