Skip to main content

Hyperion Cantos

This the second time I will review my thoughts on the Hyperion Cantos epic poem by Dan Simmons. I have finished reading all the books directly related to the poem from Hyperion to The Rise of Endymion. There are other novels in the Hyperion Universe, but they are not part of the poem. This epic falls in the categories of other epics of sci-fi like Dune and The Foundation series.

Many who have seen the jacket cover of the original novel may believe that the novel contains elements of fantasy which involves spiritism or demonism because of the thorny creature depicted on the book cover or jacket. The creature seen there is known as the Shrike. It is not a demon. Without major spoilers, just picture the Shrike as a Cylon adaptation with mechanical appendages. It is not a demon. I have never seen a demon so...

The Cantos is a masterpiece from the vivid imagination of the author. It contains all the elements pertaining to the genre of hard science fiction. Many readers will have difficulties in reading it if they are looking for a mental adrenaline boost that they may receive from a space opera like Star Wars and Battlestar Galactica. The Cantos is more like a slow reaction drug, it takes a while to feel the effects. One needs to read this poem as slowly as possible.

The main reason to take your time is that the novel is extremely detailed. There are new concepts of technology embedded with existing science. Reading it too quickly may lead the reader to misunderstandings of the plot. Here is an example. Michio Kakau, a scientist and futurist, in one of his discourses that I attended in Washington DC talked about uploading one conscience into a synthetic body, one would be called a cyborg. In the novel you read about the reverse where an AI is transferred into a human body. The author calls it a Cybrid.

In conclusion the Hyperion Cantos is a good read, very detailed in science and technology with a good story that concludes eloquently If one has the patience to not only read the novel but to absorb the concepts the author conveys to the hard sci-fi readers.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"Movie Review: Dune Part 1 & 2 🎬

  Spoiler Alert! Buckle up for a desert journey like no other! In the vast expanse of cinematic adaptations, Villeneuve's Dune emerges as a monumental undertaking, spanning two epic installments that delve into the rich tapestry of Frank Herbert's iconic sci-fi saga. While paying homage to the source material, these films chart their own course, offering a visually stunning and thematically resonant exploration of power, prophecy, and the human condition. Part 1: Betrayal and Escape The journey begins with Duke Leto Atreides, a nobleman entrusted with the stewardship of Arrakis, a desert planet coveted for its reserves of the spice melange—a substance essential for space travel and coveted by factions across the universe. Accompanied by his son, Paul, and Lady Jessica, a member of the secretive Bene Gesserit sisterhood, Duke Leto embarks on a perilous mission to Arrakis. However, their arrival triggers a chain of events orchestrated by the insidious House Harkonnen and the shad...
4 comments
Read more

I had my Math test today...Epilepsy had other plans.

Today, I had my algebraic concept final test and I failed. Of course, my body sabotaged my efforts. This seems to be the norm with everything I do. That is when "everything I do" is extremely important and "the everything I do" maybe a life changer. Passing a math course is a life changer. So let me describe how it went today. Keep this note in mind I studied the entire weekend and the more I study things got more complicated As I wrote many times before, my neurologist and gastroenterologist have repeatedly told me that when my brain acts up my gut will too. When I take any other academic tests I usually don't get sick. I have taken all my meds and then I take life day by day. As I mentioned in previous posts on the internet maybe Facebook or G Plus, I have a few abnormalities in the brain. These abnormalities affect my behavior and my thought processes. It is not that bad but I perceive and understand things a little bit differently and that is why I may ...
5 comments
Read more

Elon Musk Neuralink

Hi, my name is Tony I am a... Well you know. Actually Tony is short for Antonio. I thought if you were reading this you should know, not that anybody really cares. Anyhow, I am a ferocious reader of science-fiction. I like to read. For many years I could remember every single book that I've read. Unfortunately, I cannot do so anymore. However, if I read a science article sometimes I can associate it with a science fiction book that I have read and I like to talk about it. For example, here is the link to an article that I have recently read on the internet: http://www.theverge.com/2017/3/27/15077864/elon-musk-neuralink-brain-computer-interface-ai-cyborgs Recently I have posted a blog on a book that I read called "Psychohistorical Crisis." without getting into too many details one aspect of the book has to do with the characters. They carry a device called a familiar, or a "fam" for short. I can't recall if it was a mechanical or an organic device. Th...
3 comments
Read more