HyperionHyperion
Score Classic
What it's about
On the eve of an interstellar war, seven pilgrims set out for the planet Hyperion, home to the Time Tombs, mysterious structures that move backward through time, and the Shrike, a terrifying creature of blades worshipped by a strange church. Each pilgrim has a reason for going, and on the journey, like the travelers in The Canterbury Tales, each tells their story: a priest, a soldier, a poet, a scholar, a detective, a ship captain and a diplomat.
Why it's worth reading
It won the Hugo Award and is one of the most acclaimed science fiction novels ever. Each pilgrim's tale is a different genre, from horror to romance to war story.
You'll love it if you liked
Good to know
It ends before the pilgrims reach their goal, so you'll want The Fall of Hyperion right after. Some tales are dark and violent.
By the numbers
- Readers89 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics82 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller39 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #10 of the 313 science fiction books we rank
- #11 of the 459 fantasy books we rank
- #23 of the 762 classics we rank
- #86 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Adventurous, Epic
More by Dan Simmons
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Quick answers
Is Hyperion worth reading?
Yes. It won the Hugo Award and is one of the most acclaimed science fiction novels ever. It ranks #86 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 87.0 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Hyperion about?
On the eve of an interstellar war, seven pilgrims set out for the planet Hyperion, home to the Time Tombs, mysterious structures that move backward through time, and the Shrike, a terrifying creature of blades worshipped by a strange church. Each pilgrim has a reason for going, and on the journey, like the travelers in The Canterbury Tales, each tells their story: a priest, a soldier, a poet, a scholar, a detective, a ship captain and a diplomat.
How long does it take to read Hyperion?
About 12 hours (482 pages), or about 3 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What awards has Hyperion won?
Hugo Award winner (1990).
What should I read after Hyperion?
If you liked it, try Dune by Frank Herbert or The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin.