I love love love how this novel is set up. And I love learning the story from different view points and different narrators. It's genius!
I read about The Consul's view of the other pilgrims and about their supper together on the tree ship. (Which by the way, sounds totally awesome. I'd love to have a tree ship.) This was another interesting exercise considering that we are seeing these other pilgrims through The Consul's eyes.
Father Lenar Hoyt's story about Father Dure's adventure to see the legendary Bikura was absolutely enthralling. It was just as exciting and nerve wracking to read it the second time as it was the first. Imagining yourself in that situation seems a bit surreal - how would you have reacted if you were in that place?
Knowing that eventually almost everyone in the future has one of the crucifix parasites attached to their chest makes it interesting to read about them this early on. It makes me wonder if it was ever explained how the "technology" of the crucifix was corrected so that people don't end up like the Bikura - dumb and sexless.
Also, the interaction between The Consul and Father Hoyt after his official story has ended is telling about the motives and general demeanor of The Consul. At first, it seems like he is some kind of respected, humble government official. But it turns out that he is a more dangerous character than we start to believe in the beginning. Not knowing if it is okay to trust your POV character is a little unsettling, don't you think?
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
The Consul's First Appearance
The beginning of this book... how can I describe it?
When I suggested to my mom that she read it she said, "I only read the first few pages, but I didn't
really get into it". I'm going to say something now that I hear all the time for all sorts of reasons.
If you just stick with it, it gets better!
That's not to say that the content in the beginning isn't interesting. But it kind of just jumps into this bit about a guy called "The Consul" and about him flying around some planet on a space ship. There's really no introduction about the setting; uncommon words are used in the first few pages to describe the nearly unimaginable scenery. It's just kind of difficult to jump into this radically different world that we have no details about and expect to know what is going on. I know that when I first read this novel, I found myself skimming over parts I didn't understand. And I think that is part of the reason I was so eager to re-read it. It's almost essential that you make a commitment to be okay with not understanding everything. Otherwise, you'd never get through the book!
*SPOILERS* But now as I read this opening part about The Consul on his ship, I am a bit quicker to scrutinize him as I know that he is the one. He is the traitor. I remember thinking man, it would be an obvious twist if it turned out this guy is the traitor. And maybe it being so obvious is what makes it so NOT obvious?
When I suggested to my mom that she read it she said, "I only read the first few pages, but I didn't
really get into it". I'm going to say something now that I hear all the time for all sorts of reasons.
If you just stick with it, it gets better!
That's not to say that the content in the beginning isn't interesting. But it kind of just jumps into this bit about a guy called "The Consul" and about him flying around some planet on a space ship. There's really no introduction about the setting; uncommon words are used in the first few pages to describe the nearly unimaginable scenery. It's just kind of difficult to jump into this radically different world that we have no details about and expect to know what is going on. I know that when I first read this novel, I found myself skimming over parts I didn't understand. And I think that is part of the reason I was so eager to re-read it. It's almost essential that you make a commitment to be okay with not understanding everything. Otherwise, you'd never get through the book!
*SPOILERS* But now as I read this opening part about The Consul on his ship, I am a bit quicker to scrutinize him as I know that he is the one. He is the traitor. I remember thinking man, it would be an obvious twist if it turned out this guy is the traitor. And maybe it being so obvious is what makes it so NOT obvious?
Intro
I've just started my re-read of Hyperion by Dan Simmons.
I read the series* about two years ago. Anytime I think of these books or if anyone mentions them to me, I give them glowing reviews. Recently, a friend made a comment about the books and I realized I didn't understand what he was talking about. So I thought what the heck, sounds like it is time for a re-read! And here I am.
I decided to create a blog because I'd like to jot down some of the things I think about or notice during my second read. Please note, readers, that since this is my second read of the series, I will likely be writing SPOILERS** quite a bit. I will try to identify them when/if I know they are coming but this story is so complex and intertwined with itself that it may impossible to sort them all out. Good luck, and hopefully you decide to go on this journey with me!
Updates may be at varying frequency.***
*The series I am referring to (regardless of whether or not series is the appropriate word) contains the following 4 books:
***I have other things going on in my life so I will read when I can or want to and then write if I have time and have something worth-while to say.
I read the series* about two years ago. Anytime I think of these books or if anyone mentions them to me, I give them glowing reviews. Recently, a friend made a comment about the books and I realized I didn't understand what he was talking about. So I thought what the heck, sounds like it is time for a re-read! And here I am.
I decided to create a blog because I'd like to jot down some of the things I think about or notice during my second read. Please note, readers, that since this is my second read of the series, I will likely be writing SPOILERS** quite a bit. I will try to identify them when/if I know they are coming but this story is so complex and intertwined with itself that it may impossible to sort them all out. Good luck, and hopefully you decide to go on this journey with me!
Updates may be at varying frequency.***
*The series I am referring to (regardless of whether or not series is the appropriate word) contains the following 4 books:
- Hyperion by Dan Simmons
- Fall of Hyperion by Dan Simmons
- Endymion by Dan Simmons
- Return of Endymion by Dan Simmons
***I have other things going on in my life so I will read when I can or want to and then write if I have time and have something worth-while to say.
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