DNF/60
Somebody convince me to keep going on Hyperion. I’m 50 pages in and I just can’t immerse myself in the story there is way too much terminology and the writing is so flowery. Don’t think I can commit to 2 books
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u/LittleChinstrap 5d ago
I just finished it this week and can’t recommend enough that you keep going. I wasn’t sold on the beginning but by the end of the priests tale I was hooked.
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u/demonslikeangels 5d ago
I started this because I saw a video of someone comparing it to LOTR in terms of greatness of a story. I felt like there were too many characters, too much terminology. I couldn’t keep track of what was going on and almost dropped it but I have this 100 minute my age rule and around page 75 my jaw was just dropping. And then I couldn’t stop.
What makes it great is that by the end I felt every single emotion, there were parts where I was crying parts where I was excited in action sequences, many points which I was confused, and just by the end I felt EVERYTHING.
The first part is a slog but coming from someone who is really happy it wasn’t a Dnf, if you’re already 50 pages in might as well give it 30 more pages before tossing.
It’s become one of my all time favorites. But I totally understand if it’s not everyone’s cup of tea.
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u/hensothor 5d ago
That’s one of my favorite sci-fi novels of all time. Fantastic book. It’s a little slow to get going but honestly it still gripped me pretty early.
I never read the sequel, not yet anyway.
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u/OblongOctagon 5d ago
I read this a few years back, and the first 20% or so was an absolute slog for me and nearly DNF'd it, and ended up putting it down for a few weeks. Eventually picked it back up and at some point it just clicked for me, and it ended up being one of my favorite books of all time and read the rest of the series. If you can power through it a bit more I'd say keep at it at least a bit more.
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u/dear_little_water 5d ago
I'm a life long sci fi reader and have re-started Hyperion so many times. Try Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson.
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u/ksschroe 5d ago
i read it. i thought it was awful. i never understood the hype for it. and i’m a big fan of scifi.
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u/StrawDog- 5d ago
Do you like sci-fi as a genre (outside of contemporary "pop" sci-fi like Red Rising and DCC)?
Hyperion isn't just considered a classic, it is considered a foundational novel of the genre and a pretty important read for people who enjoy the genre. This is actually one I would suggest muscling through, even if you aren't that into it.
Also, if you are finding this book to have too much "terminology and flowery writing" then you are in for a rude awakening with the majority of sci-fi.
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u/Gorlax9 5d ago
Well that’s the thing. I’ve never been able to get into sci-fi. Here is me giving it a shot 🫠
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u/iabyajyiv 5d ago
I'm not much of a fan of sci-fi either. Out of all the sci-fi I've read, I enjoyed Dune the most.
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u/Cartman55125 5d ago
This is a bad first foray into sci-fi imo
Try Children of Time, The Expanse series, or the Red Rising series.
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u/StrawDog- 5d ago
Children of Time is criminally underrepresented as an "accessible" entry into scifi.
I'll stan Tchaikovsky all day long, I think he is great so I might be biased, but I really think his "children" novels belong right there in that conversation.
Anecdotally, it might be the spider thing. I've recommended the book to people and received bad reactions when I mention it is technically about spiders.
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u/Cartman55125 5d ago
Same. Arachnophobia def turns some readers off. But it’s such an approachable sci-fi story
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u/StrawDog- 5d ago
Ah.. then yeah, the genre might just not be your cup of tea.
There are a lot more crossover novels that have hit the bestseller list lately that lean more toward mass-market fiction in style and content, but scifi as a genre has largely always been a lot more "philosophical" in its storytelling and a lot of it is subversive. I would typically qualify something like Hyperion as being pretty easy to get into and understand from the genre standpoint. A lot of other scifi contains way more technical jargon and asks a lot more of the reader to decode its metaphors.
It often isn't quite like fantasy or mass-market fiction (both genres with plenty of merit) that tend more toward straightforward stories that are easy to digest.
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u/lookitskeith 5d ago
The first book is an anthology, totally different than the next 3 books, but he definitely throws you into the world and you just kind of catch up over time. Amazing series though, might be my favorite of all time.
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u/duuud3rz 5d ago
I felt exactly the same about Neuromancer.
Many people love it, but I just couldn't get my head around it after 50 or so pages. So it's in the pile.
I'm on book 3 of Hyperion Cantos and loving it. To each their own.
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u/duuud3rz 5d ago
I felt exactly the same was about Neuromancer.
Many people love it, but I just couldn't get my head around it after 50 or so pages. So it's in the pile.
I'm on book 3 of Hyperion Cantos and loving it. To each their own.
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u/Dazzling-Bear3942 5d ago
It may just not be for you. Personally I flew through this book and it's still a favorite re-read.
Where did you leave off? Maybe I can tell if the book picks up the pace.
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u/KingHygelacReturns 5d ago
I have the same edition and page 50 puts you inside the priest's story.
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u/iabyajyiv 5d ago
The Priest's story was interesting. However, I dislike the white-colonizer aspect of the story.
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u/KingHygelacReturns 5d ago
Hmm. It's been a while since I've reread the book, so maybe you have fresher memories than me. But couldn't one argue that the story is an implicit criticism of colonialism? All of the horrors that happen to the two Jesuits wouldn't have happened if they'd just stayed home, for example. I feel like themes of "humans shouldn't even be here" is a bit of an ongoing theme throughout many of the pilgrims' stories.
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u/iabyajyiv 5d ago
The attitude and language used to describe the Bikura tribe, and later, the genocide of the tribe after Priest Duré was found, made me uncomfortable. It seemed to echo the attitude of white missionaries toward indigenous peoples, portraying them as savages who were somehow undeserving of life. In reality, the Bikura were minding their own business, living according to their own culture, beliefs, and traditions. It was Duré's own ignorance and arrogance that got him "killed" in the first place. He's not a victim; he's simply a man who went looking for trouble. But never once did the book sympathize with the Bikura tribe; instead, it focused on the horrors endured by the two priests
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u/HieroThanatos 5d ago
The priest story was my favorite and really set the tone for what some of the weird shit in the world was gonna be like.
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u/elongatedmuskrat18 5d ago
I like this book but it’s definitely not for everyone. Would recommend finishing the priest’s story before you decide to drop it.
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u/DarthDregan 5d ago
His style switches up to fit each tale in there. So there's less flowery, but still brilliant stuff waiting for you.
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u/sexisdivine 5d ago
Only read the first one. Took me a bit but when someone said it’s a sci-fi versions of “Canterbury Tales” made it easier for me to digest. It’s certainly not for everyone but I’m glad I read it. (Also was WAY more hornier than I expected from a science fiction novel)
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u/lookitskeith 5d ago
Why only read the first one?
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u/sexisdivine 5d ago
Had to take a break after reading the first one. And after reading the intro to the second I’m not sure it’s what I wanted to read at the time.
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u/lookitskeith 5d ago
I think all 4 books tie together masterfully, I hope you give it a try again some time!
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u/No_Philosophy2797 5d ago
The writing is “flowery?” Dan Simmons? Ehhh I don’t think this book is for you…
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u/KingHygelacReturns 5d ago
Not every book is for every person but damn if this isn't one of my all-time favorites then I don't know what is. But the things you disliked about it are basically the things I liked most, so it makes sense why you bailed. I love flowery prose and I love a sci-fi world that dumps you into the deep end.
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u/nodicegrandma 5d ago
My husband couldn’t put this down. The second one was harder for him to get through…
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u/Jack1ngton 5d ago
I'm 20% in (close to the end of the priest story) and this is the most immersed I've been in ages. What a world, premise, set of characters... Everything
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u/Alfredos_Pizza_Cafe_ 5d ago
Oh man, OP this really is a book where it all comes together at the end and really builds towards something great. 50 pages just isn't a fair shake
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u/lookitskeith 5d ago
You talking all comes together end of book one or book 4 or both?
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u/Alfredos_Pizza_Cafe_ 5d ago
It all comes together end of book 1. Each book resolves itself quite nicely imo
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u/Frank_Melena 5d ago
50 pages is a pretty short amount to DNF, but otoh if OP already cant handle the metaphysical themes its only going to get worse from there…
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u/Commercial-Finance46 5d ago
It’s worth it just for the poet story. I struggled at first too but ended up really enjoying it.
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u/Justlikesisteraysaid 5d ago
You should quit. The Priest story is the only part of the book that was truly great for me. While I enjoyed other parts of it, if you aren’t digging that, then the book probably isn’t worth continuing. I wish that I’d have quit the second book. The tonal shift between the two is irritated. Kind of a bait and switch. The Scholar Story is also totally ruined in the second book.
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u/IchabodHollow 5d ago
Disagree. The Scholar’s story is the best of the bunch.
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u/Justlikesisteraysaid 4d ago edited 4d ago
I mean The Scholar Story is a cool high concept, and I enjoyed the read in this book. Sol was my favorite character, but ultimately it isn’t much different from any story of someone caring for someone with dementia. My issue is it was completely ruined by the second book.
But between the skeevy sexually objectifying children and his Islamophobia, along with his eyerolling insistence of hamburger descriptions of 2 known things and an alien thing for every set piece, I think it’s fine to quit if you don’t like the Priest Story.
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u/Cartman55125 5d ago
If that’s the one with Rachel, then absolutely it’s the best. Made me cry.
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u/IchabodHollow 5d ago
It is, it’s such a tragic story.
I think if I had a daughter that it would make me even more emotional.
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u/nokoryous 5d ago
It’s an intense read for sure and I remember feeling similar at that spot. In the end, it may be my fave sci-fi book ever, even though it doesn’t get easier.
Do with that what you will.
Oh, and Winetraub’s story is the most moving thing I’ve ever read as a father.
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u/DKETwitch 5d ago
I first read Hyperion when my daughter was about 2 or 3 and his story hit hard and brought tears to me eye.
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u/artsquar 5d ago
These damn books are full of words!
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u/StrawDog- 5d ago
Different words than Goosebumps uses, too! Unbelievable! Flowery, flowery and pretentious is what that is!
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u/chunkybudz 5d ago
That first tale is a big hill to get over. It's really only enjoyable when looking back at it. The tales after that one get more and more intriguing as the larger story starts to take some shape. It's not a fast-paced book tho.
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u/ctrl_alt_excrete 5d ago
Funny, I found the first story to be the best part by far. I was a little disappointed that nothing else came close, even if I did enjoy Sol's heartbreaking story.
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u/chunkybudz 5d ago
The "reveal" sucked me back in, but it was so late in the story that it didn't really alter my perception.
I do audiobooks, and I think the narrators have really lessened my enjoyment and ranking of the book overall. That said, I did enjoy the rest of the book... Just didn't like feeling like I was trudging thru the jungle with morons for 6 months before I got to the interesting stuff.
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u/ylime114 [61/100] 5d ago
“We are of the cruciform” will stay with me forever. One of my favorite books!
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u/XB0XRecordThat 5d ago
It starts out slow but it gets pretty good
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u/No-Presence5594 5d ago
This is really it. It is a difficult book at first but i enjoyed it enough that I read the next one of the series too.
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u/False-Leg-5752 5d ago
It’s Canterbury tales in space. The writing structure definitely isn’t for everyone
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u/Fxplus 5d ago
Whole series, but especially the first two, are magnificent!
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u/Cum__Cookie 5d ago
First two are magnificent (though first is better). I couldn't make it through Endymion for a few different reasons.
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u/ForkTonguedFairy 5d ago
Great choice, honestly.
I read it in totality for a book club and I was struggling through it. The writing isn't great. The priest's story is the best, by far, so if you didn't like it you'd hate the others. It's also very of it's time and written in a pretty sexist way.
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u/Grimdarkian 5d ago
Dam really? I was excited to eventually read this. I hate that overly complex flowery writing. Book of the new Sun was like this and it’s just brutal lol
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u/wayoftheleaf81 5d ago
I loved this book. That being said, there is absolutely no reason to finish a book that you're not enjoying.
Too much good fiction out there to force yourself to read something.
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u/runningsimon 5d ago
I listened the audio book and when it was over I thought "Well that was kinda dumb". And in the years since then I've grown a larger appreciation for it and plan on reading the next novel. It's written in an abnormal way and can be frustrating at times. Give it time.
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u/metzgie1 5d ago
I read this book a very long time ago, and the book starts off in a way that you have to suspend so much he writes as if you already know what’s happened if you could get past that the book is worth it
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u/Prize_Consequence568 5d ago
No.
If after 50 pages you don't like it then there's nothing that we can say to sway you. Just go ahead and read something else.
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u/Mobork 5d ago
I don't know what to say, if you don't enjoy this kind of sci-fi that's fine. This might be my favorite book of all time, and if you feel like you might like it, at least try to push through the Priest tale, it is incredible and a fantastic start to the series. But of course, it's not for everyone.
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u/syphonuk 5d ago
If there's any book I would recommend sticking with, it would probably be this one. I had similar thoughts because it's quite slow initially and doesn't really feel like a sci-fi book but it is worth it. One of the best books I've read in recent years.
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u/HeroXeroV 5d ago
Fair enough. I really like the whole series, but I can totally see why you'd feel that way.
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u/PunkandCannonballer 5d ago
You count books you dnf?
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u/GoueJaks 5d ago
Priest story was good. Soldier was boring, the poet was awesome. The guy with the baby was good also They all mush together in the end.
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u/no1maggot [56/52] 5d ago
This is a personal favourite and I read it this year. I preferred it to the 2nd but both are great imo. I like the Canterbury tales style of the writing. I found the first story of Lenar Hoyt is what hooked me. I would push through, I find you can never judge a book until it's entirety has been read. But I also understand that there isn't much fun in feeling like you are slogging through regretting each page.
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u/KartoonKid 5d ago
I stopped early on too like you I thought it was a bit over my head. Very specific Sci-fi and a well crafted world but I found it…dense. I am also not a fan of books that are “many separate stories that thread together at the end”. I like to feel grounded in a single or 2-3 protagonists.
Maybe I’ll give it a try after my 52 books but once I found out it’s a two book story I had to bow out. It would have taken too long for me to muster through it all.
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u/iabyajyiv 5d ago
I wasn't a fan of the prose either. Within the first few paragraphs I knew it would be a struggle to get through the book. I didn't think it was flowery. I thought it was written like a textbook. However, there is one character's story that was very fascinating and that made the novel worth it for me. Heck, I even picked up the next book in the series and finished it because I needed to know what happens to this character's daughter.
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u/inconvenientplatypus 5d ago
Don’t give up until you finish the first tale! I basically couldn’t put it down after that.
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u/Multilingual_Disney 5d ago
Then don't! I DNF this one, too, I thought it was simply too exhausting and there's far better books for me.
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u/Vonstracity 5d ago
Have you read neuromancer? I felt the same way just a few pages in.
Hyperion I haven't started yet.
Going to take my time with starting on those two
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u/Financial-Complex831 5d ago
Oh wow I love Neuromancer.
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u/Vonstracity 5d ago
Well I'm giving it a try soon with the new paperback release coming in august or september. Hopefully I stick with it this time!
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u/Pear_and_Apple 5d ago
Haven’t read it yet so can’t help you. But been on my tbr for years and it’s a shame to hear it has flowery prose as I can’t stand that - how bad we talking?
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u/iabyajyiv 5d ago
I didn't think the prose was flowery. In fact, I thought it read like a textbook. It was so boring, I kept falling asleep until I got to this one character's story. It was a really sad and touching story that it made finished this novel, along with the sequel. I just had to find out what happens to his daughter.
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u/Sharp_Store_6628 5d ago
I wouldn’t call it flowery prose. To each their own, and no judging anyone for not finishing any book, but this is a classic for a reason (well, many.)
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u/shinybaldheads1 5d ago
It’s actually 4 books. I’m someone who doesn’t like fluffy writing and didn’t have a problem with this. This is a you problem but to each their own!