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Hyperion
- Narrated by: Marc Vietor, Allyson Johnson, Kevin Pariseau, Jay Snyder, Victor Bevine
- Length: 20 hrs and 44 mins
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Publisher's Summary
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.
Critic Reviews
Locus Award, Best Novel, 1990
"Dan Simmons has the Midas touch: Every genre he writes - whether SF, horror, mystery, historical, or thriller - he turns to gold. Hyperion and The Fall Of Hyperion set a new standard for grand-scale science fiction." (Kevin J. Anderson, author of The Saga of Seven Suns)
"Dan Simmons was a star from the outset. It was the Hyperion books that made him a superstar. The man, quite simply, is what we in the trade call a writer's writer." (Mike Resnick, Hugo and Nebula Award-winning author)
Each of [the pilgrim's] stories would make a superb novella on its own. ( The New York Times Book Review, Gerald Jonas)
Featured Article: The Best Audiobooks for Fans of Dune
Ever since its publication in 1965, Frank Herbert's Dune has set the bar high for epic science fiction. In fact, Herbert's beloved novel is considered to be one the best sci-fi books of all time. Dune was the recipient of multiple awards, including the inaugural Nebula Award for best novel in 1966. And in October 2021, more than 50 years after the novel's initial release, fans of Dune are being treated to a film adaptation, directed by Denis Villeneuve.

Editor's Pick
A sci-fi classic with a masterful full cast narration
"This epic sci-fi listen was way outside of my usual comfort zone so I did not go in expecting to get so sucked in by the stories or deeply affected by the characters as I did. Dan Simmons is a literary force to be reckoned with and Hyperion is accessible for both devoted fans and newbies like me, with its incredible word-building and character-driven storylines. The impeccable full-cast narration is just the cherry on top of this adventure through time and space."
—Catherine H., Audible Editor
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What listeners say about Hyperion
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- surfgoat
- 08-06-18
Well written but boring
This book is on so many reading lists for exceptional science fiction that I didn’t hesitate to buy it when I saw it on Audible. I just finished it which was no easy feat as I was want to drop it several times. Right up until the end I was sure that there would be some noteworthy resolution that made the 24 hours of audio worth the listen. I was sorely disappointed.
There is no denying that the book was extremely well written. Some of the best pros I have read in any genre. The author writes masterfully and if Hyperion had been written to pass an English exam it would have been awarded highest marks. With the exception of the voice of Braun, the voice acting was also very good and seemed to match the characters.
Despite all that, I did not enjoy the story. I read for pleasure, nothing more, and science fiction in particular to escape reality into a future where hopes and dreams can be realized through technology. Hyperion, however, was a space soap opera. More drama than fiction and a book that belongs on the shelf next to other books of its kind adorned with a vapid but beefy protagonist poised to kiss his lover while a picturesque moon rises over the flower gardens of some tropical paradise. I read and/or listen to a lot of books in several genres and can appreciate excellent writing and story telling regardless of style. The fact that I truly detested Hyperion despite it being a renowned book in one of my favorite genres is more surprising to me than anyone reading this review of a book that has garnered 4.5 stars.
As I thought deeply about why I so loathed a book revered by the rest of the world entire, I came to certain conclusions. First, many of the individual stories from the pilgrims were interesting in their own right and While I did enjoy many aspects of them, none of them found or led to a final resolution but served to slowly bring the reader to the final conclusion that ultimately, nothing they did would alter the state of their universe. There was no culmination of events, no dramatic realization or suitable resolution that one could call a climax. There was no rising action or deepening mystery and therefore no need for the traditional “pay-off”, if you will, for having endured the dramatic unfolding of half a dozen lives. No. The end was basically a huge “screw you” where the reader learns that the problems hinted at throughout the pilgrims’ tales will have no resolution other than the inevitable one of death. Oh sure, I could read into what wasn’t said or consider what the characters could take away from their dramatic demise, I could glory in the sorrow that is the human condition, I could search introspectively for meaning in my own life as reflected in the woeful tales so eloquently posed; or I could go surfing, eat a burger, play with my kids and then relax in front of a movie about giant robots fighting aliens. I choose the latter; I choose life.
38 people found this helpful
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- Amy I. Browning
- 08-21-20
Well performed, but foul
AVOID THIS! The story starts out interesting and the performance is fine, but the author takes every opportunity to insert profanity. Parts of the book are verbally pornographic, and the author feels the need to mention the state of the nipples of every female character. I tried to give it the benefit of the doubt, but I found it so repugnant that I could not finish it. In my opinion, this book is filth, and I now wish my brain could take a shower.
16 people found this helpful
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- Michael
- 10-13-12
The Shrike Awaits. Enter The Time Tombs...
I read this series back in its first published hardcovers, so I look at this book with a judgmental eye - Is it a worthy listen, and its subsequent writings? Here's my take on this audiobook.
This is outstanding scifi, to the point. It reminds me of "The Mote In God's Eye," in its depth, solid character backstories and various perspectives. As in the mentioned comparison, this is complex storytelling that makes you consider as you listen. Each character has purpose and propels the story along, often in unexpected ways. This is THOUGHTFUL scifi, with tremendous respect for the reader's/listener's time, intellect, and maturity. If you want pulp scifi, go listen to Heinlein - This one's for those hungry for a story with meat on its bones, one that makes you want more. One that makes you want to listen to it again, in case you missed something important, and that's quite possible, with this fantastic scifi audiobook.
What's it all about, you ask? Again, Audible listener, I give only hints in reviews, neither plots nor spoilers here. Here's a taste of what your hear...
Knights Templar traveling across the galaxy in living trees. A undying priest carries
a nightmarish secret from an abandoned zombie-like congregation, a woman becomes younger each day, and races to beat the clock, literally. A virtual reality-trained military leader seeks the love of a woman haunting him in his computer-driven landscape. A drunken writer seeks the final and ultimate story. A spacefaring horde, soon to arrive in the known space of man, to conquer and enslave the billions that fear their arrival. And of course, they all seek the Shrike, a man-shaped judge and jury covered in blades, riding the currents of the time tombs, bringing death to most, and life to some.
And that just scratches the surface.
These various stories and their perspectives come together to create a great tale, and you'll definitely want more.
The narration team does a good job to bring this audiobook to life - If you read my other reviews, you know I'm BRUTAL on narrators. The can make or break the author's work. So, "good" is high praise coming from me.
All in all, this is an audiobook that you'll like.
So the Shrike awaits. Enter the Time Tombs, Audible listener, and be judged!
372 people found this helpful
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Overall
- Nancy
- 02-25-09
Bleak & Intense Sci-Fi
The first of two books in the series focuses on a universe where a far flung civilization is in decline. Seven disparate people embark on a reluctant pilgrimage to an ambiguous and malignant entity.
During the journey they tell their stories in an effort to puzzle out why they've been chosen, and how they can use their shared experiences to achieve their individual goals.
Wonderfully written characters make this bleak, intense book worth reading. But be forewarned, the experiences they share are dark! This is not a joyful read, but an extremely memorable one. Definitely a must for Sci-Fi fans.
121 people found this helpful
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- Seth D.Yockey
- 07-07-19
Allyson Johnson's voice gets old.
The story is superb, and all but one of the voice actors are excellent. It's a shame she has the longest story.
12 people found this helpful
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- Lore
- 05-05-12
Excellent start to a series that finds religion.
Dan Simmons creates an amazing future with interesting technology where man's impact on the universe has some pretty significant ramifications for their own survival. This book kicks off the series in fine style and keeps you interested right up until the very bizarro ending.
The main story arc is about a pilgrimage to a distant planet to visit the Time Tombs. As you listen you know there is a lot at stake on the pilgrimage and you try to put together the pieces of the puzzle as you learn about each of the characters. Each one has their own significant reason for going to Hyperion and the future of mankind will be impacted by the outcome.
You will have to pick up book 2 if you really want to know how that all turns out as this book abruptly ends after all the build up. I was a big fan right until the ending which felt severely out of place to me. Book two wasn't nearly as good and for me all the excellent build up was wasted.
As the series goes on it finds religion and that is when it started to lose me. Combine the extremely complicated world of the AIs with the focus on Christianity for the humans and I found myself wishing I was listening to something else. I wasn't offended by it, I just didn't find the whole religous aspect of the books to be that interesting. Sadly it became the major focus of the series and my enjoyment dropped off significantly. I did listen to all 4 books and I enjoyed the first and last books more than books 2 and 3.
I enjoyed the narration and liked the ensemble cast used in book 1.
236 people found this helpful
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Overall
- cestakey
- 01-27-09
Brilliant and Well Crafted
After reading the other reviews of this book, I am compelled to submit my own. First, this is a very well crafted science fiction classic. It creates an entire future universe that is both plausible and fascinating. Second, the story and characters are well developed, intriguing and real. I highly recommend this book. I agree that the female narrator was initially irritating, but once her story begins, becomes more interesting and you get lost in her tale. Be warned however, this only one-half of the book. For complete closure, you will need to read The Fall of Hyperion. Read back to back, this is a brilliant tale of the future with real and unique characters and storyline. This book is well deserving of both the Hugo Award and Locus Award for Best Novel of 1990.
85 people found this helpful
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- Aerindel
- 04-25-09
More than a book
The important thing to understand is that is the first part of series and in reality this book is little more than a prologue. That being said it is a gripping first chapter. The hyperion series is more than a story, it is a work of philosophical and religious fiction that explores the meaning of life and the universe. Don't take that to mean its not full of action, it is. This series has everything in it from medieval sword fights to massive space battles and the destruction of worlds.
At its heart this is the story of mankind's struggle for true transcendence. The plot is deep and convoluted involving substantial time travel and is its secrets cannot be fully understood until the last book. This is a work that you have to begin with some faith that at some point it will all make sense. Trust me, it does and the final revelation in The Rise of Endymion is remarkable.
Christians beware, this book may challenge many of your belifes in uncomfortable ways.
72 people found this helpful
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- mix579
- 02-27-16
I understand why it's a classic, but...
After reading it way back when it was first published in print, I recently listened to the audiobook version and had pretty much the same reaction to it. I feel almost obligated to admire the author for his skillful weaving of a complex, multi-layered web of tales, all written in totally different styles, each of them contributing in an ingenious way to our understanding of the world that forms the backdrop to this story. Really, really well done, and I fully understand why this book is a sci-fi classic.
Alas, in the end it all sort of falls flat for me, a classic example of arts for art's sake. Some of the tales are gripping (Detective, Poet, Soldier, ) but the others just meander on without much purpose (in particular the Consul's tale). At times it feels like a sophomore in English studies trying to squeeze as many "big" words, as many memes as possible into a paragraph to impress the professor. If someone had seriously edited the book and cut 25% out, it would have been a masterpiece. Well, there's still the issue that it really ends just when it's about to become really interesting. I'm not huge fan of blatant cliffhangers books that leave essentially everything open and bring nothing to a (at least partial) conclusion.
The narration cast is outstanding. Having different characters narrated by different actors works extremely well here.The person reading the poet is brilliant!
55 people found this helpful
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- Ingwe
- 04-03-13
Classic Sci-fi
Any additional comments?
A great sci-fi story told in the "frame story" format. (Like Canterbury Tales.) Seven very different people are on a pilgrimage together to Hyperion and each of their back-stories unfolds the plot.
What I liked best about this story is that in addition to being a great story and setting, (common in good sci-fi/fantasy) the author happens to be a great writer (not so common even in good sci-fi/fantasy). You can tell that the author has a love of science and futurism but also a love of language and poetry. (References to Keats abound.)
Warning: When I started this book I thought it was a stand-alone novel. However, it ends abruptly and I'm told that the Fall of Hyperion finishes the story.
39 people found this helpful
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- Peter
- 12-02-09
Inspired Sci-fi
I loved this book. It is beautifully written with brilliant characterisation and a really good storyline. The format means that there are six interesting stories narrated by each of the main characters and these in themselves are well-constructed sci-fi. The over-arching story kept me interested throughout and made me immediately order the sequel "Fall of Hyperion", which I also read and loved. Very highly recommended to people who like the genre - it is one of the best of it's kind. Well read.
47 people found this helpful
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- Mr. S. Gibson
- 08-15-10
A fantastic combination
We all have our favourite authors and when listening to them as an audiobook we either fall more in love with them or end up slightly disappointed that they don't meet our expectations - we don't like the reader or it doesn't fire our imagination the same as with our own reading. With this in mind, when I have been selecting new authors, I have done so on the basis of comments people have made, playing a sample of the narrator and how well it has been rated here and elsewhere online.
Dan Simmons and Victor Bevine et al have been a find! This has book has depth in all sorts of unexpected areas and the narration is first rate. Lots of different themes are covered from different perspectives as the story unfold before you - you'll love some characters, hate others and see still others in a new way. It makes you think about certain things that are relevant and wonder how you might have chosen to deal with it.
I don't wish to give any plot away and I hope that you might discover this wonderful combination of first rate narration with a fantastic author.
55 people found this helpful
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- Michael
- 09-24-09
Superb
This is without doubt, the best series of books I have downloaded from Audible so far. Epic sci-fi with amazing characters that you will really feel for as the story unfolds. I had of course read the books a long time ago but hearing them brings a whole new dimension to the story, beautifully narrated by the reader, my only tiny complaint was some of the American pronounciation of word and names but it never gets in the way of the huge, complex, and very rewarding story. I've just finished listening to Fall of Hyperion and have to admit to tears in my eyes at certain points. About to start Endymion, plenty of tears to come as I remember. Highly recommended even if you don't like sci-fi!
25 people found this helpful
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- Sharon
- 03-22-09
Wonderful Sci Fi
This has got to be one of the best science fiction books I have read. The listener follows seven pilgrims who are on a quest to meet a mythical monster - the 'shrike' on the planet 'Hyperion'. Each pilgrim shares his story with the others, and each story is told in a different style which reflects the individuals' characters. The stories are sometimes harrowing, sometimes sensual and sometimes touching, but always riveting. Dan Simmons has created an incredible, multifaceted world (worlds!) with history, politics, mysticism and religion all mixed in. It is thoroughly captivating - buy 'The Fall of Hyperion' at the same time as you'll want to read on.
20 people found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 12-12-18
overly verbose joyless stultifying bollocks
Overly verbose joyless stultifying bollocks. Every sentence is laboured under the weight of dull, artless verbiage.
15 people found this helpful
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- sophia monkman
- 01-27-12
The Best Sci Fi Series in Audiotape
This was an eye-opener! The whole series is exquisitely crafted and sensitively narrated and so good I hope it wins many many awards. The ONLY writer to rival Ian M Banks.
It takes just a little while to engage with the story, but then you realise that you are in love with this strange but fascinating world with astonishing yet poignant tales.
Highly addictive, I bought the whole series.
9 people found this helpful
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- Mr. G. J. Walker
- 11-10-09
Fantastic...but only as good as the narrators
This story is probably one of the best sci fi books I have ever read (listened to!). The stories within the story are likewise fantastic.
The only reason I gave it 4 stars is that an audiobook is only as good as the narrator. This book is read by numerous narrators and the lady who narrates M. Brawne Lamia has one of the most annoying accents ever! It was more frustrating as Brawne Lamia is a really interesting character.
27 people found this helpful
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- Mark
- 02-27-18
Hard work to get through to the end, but no ending
The plot was OK and the characters interesting but the "science" did not work for me.
It seems in this world anyone can do anything anywhere any time. All a bit silly!
Unfortunately as this book has no ending I decided to go on to listen to the fall of Hyperion, that's 20 hours of my life I won't get back............
I had ordered the two follow up books but have returned them unread.
7 people found this helpful
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- Mark
- 09-18-09
As fine a Science Fiction Novel as Dune
Every so often you come across something really special when reading or listening. This is not "like" Dune There were times when listening the to this novel when the words flowed over the ear like quicksilver. It has real characters, great action and a unique storyline, it is complex but not obscure and it is epic without being pretentious. In short it is a real gem, listen to it!
13 people found this helpful
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- Dean
- 05-03-09
Exceptional
An exceptional book, a very good recording and an enjoyable and engrossing experience from beginning to end.
If you can find the time please try to read the book, but if that isn't possible then this is the next best thing, a story of stupefying complexity and subtlety.
The best thing is that the second book is as good if not better than the first, so enjoy.
16 people found this helpful
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- Tom
- 12-13-16
doop.
good book. 10/10
would certainly doop again.
apparently based of Canterbury Tales?
this review requires a minimum of twenty words.
6 people found this helpful
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- Jehu Jones
- 01-13-20
Highly enjoyable but with some dull narrators
I didn't know anything about Hyperion going into the book and enjoyed a lot of the world building and deep dives in the characters. Some characters are more interesting than others, and some of the narrators are far better than others. The narrator for Brawne Lamia almost killed the book for me and ruined what could have been an interesting story. The delivery was so flat and uninspired that it was a slog just to get through to the end of that section.
Overall, great fun though and I enjoyed it enough to get the second book in the series.
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- Christo
- 01-12-22
It took a while but the cleverness of the story unwound slowly
Excellent story told by wonderful narrators. Their parts seamless.
Heartily recommended and to say more would give the story away. Very clever and brought to mind Iain M Banks, may he Rest In Peace.
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- Aleksandar
- 10-31-21
My favourite Sci Fi Saga
Dan’s work is incredible but for me, this story is one of the most profound. Do yourself a favour and go on this journey across time & space, past & future.
Get all four books. The best saga ever written
1 person found this helpful
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- Benjamin
- 11-07-19
Great read for Sci-Fi enthusiasts
This book is not your typical Sci-Fi read, it had been on my list for a long time and I finally opted for the audio book over the actual book. It was very enjoyable. Be prepared for a long story though, if it’s instant gratification your after then look elsewhere. Dan Simmons takes his time setting up the story and if your patient the pay off is worth it.
1 person found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 12-22-18
good idea but too slow and descriptive
way too verbose, couldn't get into the story which was also too slow. it was so busy describing everything.
3 people found this helpful
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- Michael
- 09-21-17
A favourite
Where does Hyperion rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
Hyperion is hands down favourite novels. Every time I read (or listen) it just reveals another layer of its depth.
Who was your favorite character and why?
No single character of Hyperion is my favourite, they're all an interwove mesh of personalities which form the story.
What about the narrators’s performance did you like?
The mixed voiced actors is done fantastically in this production. Usually I find mixed narrator's disjointing, but in this case, not at all.
Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
The themes found in Hyperion are heavy. Much of them will stick with you forever as this oppressive weight on your chest. Genuine horror.
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- Joe
- 07-28-17
Just too slow.
The story is brilliant. I hung on till after the priests story, but after that, the book was painstakingly slow. I would compare it to 'restless leg syndrome' While I was engrossed in the story, I just kept wanting something to happen.
3 people found this helpful
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- Christopher
- 08-06-16
Great story
loved the book and it was enhanced by the great performances by the voice talent.
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- Anonymous User
- 03-27-22
Classic
It took me a bit to get into, but once I did I was hooked. They story uses the structure of The Canterbury Tails and is filled with literary references, so keep on the look out.