Simmons...Love him or hate him?

**gibsons** · February 27th, 2007, 09:16 PM

I haven't seen much discussion on Dan Simmons. I'm guessing it will become more of a topic as his movies near production.

First let me say that Dan Simmons is the only author he has ever made me cry. Yes this is sad, but true.

Read "Hollow Man", "Son of Kali" or " Endymion".

I truly enjoyed those works as well as the Hyperion series and Illium. However, everyone that reads Hyperion (after I recommend it) can't stand it. I don't understand why? What is your experience.

Also, all the parts that I liked in Illium, everyone else hated and vice-versa. Am I just strange?

And the worst is that I have not read Olympus because I heard it just deteriorates into a predictable stupid story...which is really disappointing. It has been sitting on my shelf for almost a year!

What do you guys think of Simmons? Is he a genius or just a shameless, egotistical popularist?

**ArthurFrayn** · February 27th, 2007, 10:36 PM

There's puh-lenty of discussion of Simmons here-just use the search engine up on top of this page.

As for me- I think he's great. I've read both the Hyperion and Endymion series.Those books are not for everyone, but you'll find plenty of folks here giving them a big thumbs up. And every thread I've read here about Illium and Olympus has been positive.
On my TBR pile, when I recover the patience for lengthy novels.

There's a lot intellectually to chew on in his books, and he knows how to tell a ripping yarn.
A writer well worth reading.

**bluetyson** · February 27th, 2007, 11:20 PM

He good mate.

Haven't read the last couple of poodle squashers either, though.

**Ropie** · February 28th, 2007, 04:24 AM

I'm reading Fall of Hyperion at the moment, though I haven't picked it up for a couple of weeks. I think I am enjoying it more than Hyperion because though I felt the book was great it was restricted by the 'Canterbury Tales' structure. FOH is broader and less restrained; it's also way too long for my tastes, but I intend to finish it soon.

**gibsons** · February 28th, 2007, 07:37 AM

Originally Posted by ArthurFrayn

There's puh-lenty of discussion of Simmons here-just use the search engine up on top of this page.

I guess a quick scan of the most recent posts was not good enough.

**Ouroboros** · February 28th, 2007, 09:36 AM

Simmons is one of those authors who puts out novels that transcend the genre.

(And I don't think anyone could describe Simmons as a populist!)

**ArthurFrayn** · February 28th, 2007, 10:02 AM

I think I am enjoying it more than Hyperion because though I felt the book was great it was restricted by the 'Canterbury Tales' structure.

Yes, I agree. I think it's a forced structure. But with a definite purpose.The purpose of it is to enable him to tell stories that have significantly different aspects in the enormous universe he's built. So for me, Fall of the Hyperion is him collecting the fruits of that labor.Hyperion is what gives the second novel such scope, and impact.

**Ropie** · February 28th, 2007, 10:37 AM

Originally Posted by ArthurFrayn

Fall of the Hyperion is him collecting the fruits of that labor

Very nice.

**ArthurFrayn** · February 28th, 2007, 10:46 AM

It's interesting that others very often talk about how slow FotH is after the first novel.
Thats' not my perception. My perception, was of a relaxation and ease to the narrative that had not been there before. It's a narrative tone that I don't think he could have adopted, had he not done all the heavy lifting in the first book.
And it could also be that he learned a lot from writing something as ambitious as Hyperion.

**shadow9d9** · February 28th, 2007, 02:56 PM

I absolutely hated Ilium. Bored me to tears. Stopped at 70 or so.

**gibsons** · February 28th, 2007, 07:50 PM

Originally Posted by shadow9d9

I absolutely hated Ilium. Bored me to tears. Stopped at 70 or so.

Actually there are some very good parts in it. I hated the entire part regarding Shakespeare. It was anything but boring.

I recommend that you go back to it when you have a chance. Just skip the parts that bore you if that is required to keep reading.

**chitman13** · March 1st, 2007, 03:06 AM

I thoroughly enjoyed the Hyperion and Endymion books, perfect examples of exciting and thought provoking sci-fi. Ilium I have mixed thoughts about, perhaps because Olympos (which was a serious let down) tarnished my original fond memories of it. I've yet to read any of his other books, but I am curious because his writing style is a nice read.

**shadow9d9** · March 1st, 2007, 08:25 AM

Originally Posted by gibsons

Actually there are some very good parts in it. I hated the entire part regarding Shakespeare. It was anything but boring.

I recommend that you go back to it when you have a chance. Just skip the parts that bore you if that is required to keep reading.

Nah, 70 pages is enough. Hist writing style was slow and drab. Something interesting should happen in 70 pages... it didn't. I would have enjoyed watching paint dry more than those 70 pages. In the garbage it went!